Facebook lets you change your username once every 30 days

Your Facebook username is the short web address people use to find your profile — it appears in your profile URL as facebook.com/yourname. You can change it through your settings, and Facebook allows one change per 30-day period. The change takes effect when ready, though old links to your profile will still work.

Unlike your display name (the name that appears on your posts and comments), your username is a separate identifier. You can change your display name as often as you want, but the username has the 30-day limit. If you have not changed your username before, you will have more flexibility with your first choice.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your Facebook username once every 30 days through your settings, and the change takes effect right away.
  • Your username becomes part of your profile URL (facebook.com/yourname) and is different from your display name.
  • Facebook usernames can include letters, numbers, periods, and underscores, but cannot contain spaces or special characters.
  • If your desired username is taken, you will see that message when you try to save it, and you will need to choose a different one.
  • Old profile links using your previous username will still direct people to your profile even after you change it.

Steps to change your username on desktop

Open Facebook in your web browser and click the downward arrow in the top right corner of the screen. Select Settings and privacy, then click Settings. On the left side, click Personal information.

Find the Username row and click the pencil icon next to it. Type your new username in the text field. Facebook will tell you if the name is available or already taken. If it is available, click Review change, then Save changes. You will see a confirmation message that your username has been updated.

Steps to change your username on mobile

Open the Facebook app and tap the three horizontal lines (menu icon) in the bottom right corner. Scroll down and tap Settings and privacy, then tap Settings. Tap Personal information.

Tap Username and then tap the pencil icon. Enter your new username and tap Review change. If the name is available, tap Save changes. You will receive a confirmation that your username has been updated.

What makes a valid Facebook username

Facebook usernames must be between 5 and 50 characters long. You can use lowercase letters (a–z), numbers (0–9), periods, and underscores. You cannot use spaces, capital letters, or special characters like hyphens, ampersands, or exclamation marks.

Your username cannot be the same as your display name, and it cannot contain words that Facebook considers offensive or impersonating. If you try to use a name that violates these rules, Facebook will show an error message explaining why the name cannot be used.

What happens to your old username and links

When you change your username, your old one becomes available for someone else to claim after a short period. However, any links people shared using your old username will still work — they will automatically redirect to your new profile. This means you do not need to tell everyone to update their bookmarks or links.

Your profile URL changes when ready to reflect your new username. If you had a custom URL before (like facebook.com/yourname), it updates to your new username right away. People who visit your old URL will be redirected to your new one.

If your desired username is already taken

When you try to save a username that someone else already has, Facebook will display a message saying the username is not available. You will need to choose a different one. Try adding numbers, periods, or underscores to make your preferred name unique — for example, john.smith or john_smith_1.

If you want a username badly enough to wait, you could check back later to see if the person using it has abandoned their account. Facebook does not release inactive usernames, so this is not a reliable strategy. Your best option is to pick a variation that works for you now.

Troubleshooting common username problems

If you see a message that you cannot change your username yet, you have likely changed it within the last 30 days. Facebook enforces a strict 30-day waiting period between changes. You will need to wait until that period passes before you can make another change.

If the username you want keeps being rejected but you do not see a specific error message, try removing special characters or numbers, or try a completely different name. Some usernames may be reserved by Facebook or flagged by their system for other reasons that are not always explained to users.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Facebook username more than once a month?

No. Facebook allows one username change every 30 days. If you have already changed your username recently, you will need to wait until 30 days have passed since your last change before you can make another one.

Will my old Facebook links stop working if I change my username?

No. Links using your old username will automatically redirect to your new profile. People can still find you using old links, so you do not need to update shared URLs or bookmarks.

Is my username the same as my display name?

No. Your display name is what appears on your posts and comments, and you can change it whenever you want. Your username is the short web address in your profile URL, and it has the 30-day change limit.

What characters can I use in my Facebook username?

You can use lowercase letters, numbers, periods, and underscores. You cannot use spaces, capital letters, hyphens, or special characters like & or !. Your username must be between 5 and 50 characters long.

What if someone else has the username I want?

Try adding numbers, periods, or underscores to create a variation — for example, sarah.jones or sarah_jones_1. Facebook does not release usernames from inactive accounts, so waiting is not a practical option.