Change Your Khan Academy Username in Account Settings

You change your Khan Academy username by going to your account settings, finding the username field, and saving a new one. The process takes about two minutes and works the same way on a computer or phone. Khan Academy lets you change your username once every 30 days, so pick one you are comfortable keeping for at least a month.

Before you start, know that your username is different from your display name. Your username is what appears in the web address of your profile (like khanacademy.org/profile/yourname) and what you use to log in. Your display name is what other students see next to your comments and work. You can change your display name anytime, but the username has the 30-day limit.

Key Takeaways

  • Log into Khan Academy, click your profile picture in the top right, and select "Settings" to reach the account page where you change your username.
  • Your username must be between 3 and 30 characters, can include letters and numbers, and cannot have spaces or most special characters.
  • Khan Academy will not let you change your username again for 30 days after you save a new one, so make sure before you confirm.
  • If you forget your username, you can log in with your email address instead, then go to settings to see or change it.

Step-by-Step: Changing Your Username on Computer

Start by logging into Khan Academy on your computer. Once you are logged in, look at the top right corner of the page. You will see a small circle with your profile picture or initial inside it. Click that circle.

A menu will drop down with several options. Look for "Settings" and click it. This takes you to your account settings page. On the left side of the page, you will see a menu with different sections. Click "Account" if it is not already selected.

Scroll down until you see the "Username" field. It will show your current username. Click in the text box next to it and delete your old username, then type your new one. Khan Academy will check in real time whether the username is available — if it is taken, you will see a red message saying so. Keep trying different names until you find one that works.

Once you have a username that is available, scroll down and look for a blue "Save" or "Update" button. Click it to confirm the change. Khan Academy will show you a message saying your username has been updated. You now have a 30-day waiting period before you can change it again.

Changing Your Username on a Phone or Tablet

On a phone or tablet, the steps are nearly the same. Log into Khan Academy in your mobile browser or the Khan Academy app. Tap the profile picture or initial icon, which is usually in the top right or bottom right of the screen depending on which app version you have.

Tap "Settings" from the menu that appears. Then tap "Account" to see your account details. Scroll down to find the "Username" field, tap it, and type your new username. Khan Academy will show you right away if the name is taken.

Once you have chosen an available username, scroll down and tap the "Save" or "Update" button. The change takes effect when ready, and you will see a confirmation message on your screen.

Username Rules and What You Cannot Use

Khan Academy has specific rules about what characters and lengths are allowed in a username. Your username must be between 3 and 30 characters long. You can use letters (both uppercase and lowercase), numbers, underscores, and hyphens. You cannot use spaces, periods, or most other special characters.

Khan Academy also does not allow usernames that are already taken by another user, or usernames that contain words the platform has flagged as inappropriate. If you try to use a name that breaks these rules, you will see an error message telling you why it did not work. Try a different combination until you find one that passes.

Your username also cannot be the same as your email address or your display name, though you can change your display name to match your username if you want them to be the same.

What Happens If You Forget Your Username

If you cannot remember your Khan Academy username, you do not need to reset it right away. You can log in using your email address instead. On the Khan Academy login page, enter the email address you used to create your account, then enter your password. Khan Academy will log you in even if you do not remember your username.

Once you are logged in, go to Settings and then Account to see what your current username is. If you want to change it at that point, you can follow the steps above. Remember that you can only change your username once every 30 days, so if you changed it recently, you will have to wait before making another change.

The 30-Day Waiting Period Explained

After you change your username, Khan Academy locks you out of making another change for 30 days. This rule exists to prevent people from constantly switching usernames and confusing other students who are trying to find them or reference their work.

The 30 days starts the moment you click "Save" on your new username. If you change your mind right after saving, you cannot undo it and switch back when ready — you have to wait the full 30 days. For this reason, make sure you are happy with your new username before you confirm the change. Test it out by saying it out loud or imagining how it will look in your profile web address.

Changing Your Display Name Instead (If You Want a Quick Change)

If you want to change how your name appears to other students but do not want to wait 30 days, you can change your display name instead. Your display name is what shows up next to your comments and on your profile, but it does not affect your username or login information.

To change your display name, go to Settings and then Account. Look for the "Display Name" field, which is separate from the "Username" field. You can change your display name as many times as you want with no waiting period. This is a good option if you just want a fresh look without the 30-day restriction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username back to what it was before?

Yes, but only after 30 days have passed since your last change. If you changed your username today and regret it, you will have to wait a month before you can switch back. For this reason, think carefully before you confirm a new username.

What if someone else took the username I want?

If the username you want is already taken, Khan Academy will show you a message saying it is not available. Try adding a number to the end, using an underscore or hyphen, or choosing a different name altogether. You can also check if a similar username is available and use that instead.

Does changing my username affect my progress or saved work?

No. Your progress, badges, and all saved work stay with your account no matter what username you use. Changing your username only changes how your profile web address looks and what name you use to log in — nothing else is affected.

Can I use spaces or special characters in my username?

No. Khan Academy only allows letters, numbers, underscores, and hyphens. Spaces, periods, and other special characters will cause an error. If you want to separate words, use an underscore or hyphen instead.

What if I cannot log in after changing my username?

Make sure you are using your new username to log in, not your old one. If you forget your new username, log in with your email address instead, then go to Settings to see what your current username is. Your email address always works as a login method.