Where to find your Meta username and why it matters

Your Meta username is the handle that appears on your Facebook profile, Instagram account, or Threads profile — the name people search for when they want to find you. It is different from your display name (the full name shown on your profile) and different from your email address. You can change your Meta username once every 14 days, though Meta may limit how often you can change it if you switch too frequently.

The username is what goes in your profile URL. On Facebook, it looks like facebook.com/yourname. On Instagram, it appears as @yourname. If you have not set a username yet, Meta assigns you a default one based on your display name, and you can customize it to something you prefer.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your Meta username through Settings on Facebook, Instagram, or Threads, and the change takes effect when ready across all Meta platforms linked to your account.
  • Meta usernames must be between 5 and 50 characters, can include letters, numbers, periods, and underscores, but cannot start with a number or contain spaces.
  • You can change your username once every 14 days, though Meta may enforce longer waiting periods if you change it repeatedly.
  • If your desired username is taken, you will see that message during the change process and must choose a different one.
  • Changing your username does not affect your friends, followers, or messages — people who follow you will still see your updated profile.

Steps to change your username on Facebook

Open Facebook and go to your profile by clicking your profile picture in the top right corner. Select "Settings and privacy," then click "Settings." On the left side menu, find and click "Personal information." Look for the "Username" field — this is where your current handle appears.

Click the edit icon (pencil) next to your username. Type your new username in the text box. Meta will show you whether that username is available or already taken. If it is available, click "Review change" and then confirm. The change takes effect right away. If the username is taken, try a variation — adding numbers, periods, or underscores often makes a name available.

Steps to change your username on Instagram

Open Instagram and tap your profile icon in the bottom right corner. Tap "Edit profile" near the top of the screen. Find the "Username" field and tap it. Delete your current username and type the new one you want.

Instagram will show a checkmark if the username is available or an X if it is taken. Once you see the checkmark, tap "Done" in the top right corner. Your new username appears on your profile when ready. Anyone who follows you will still see your updated profile — the change does not affect your followers or direct messages.

Steps to change your username on Threads

Open Threads and tap your profile icon at the bottom right. Tap "Edit profile." Find the username field and tap it to edit. Type your new username and tap "Done."

If you have linked your Threads account to Instagram, changing your username on Threads may also change it on Instagram, depending on your account settings. Check both apps after making the change to confirm the username appears as you intended.

Username rules and what characters you can use

Meta usernames must be between 5 and 50 characters long. You can use letters (a–z, A–Z), numbers (0–9), periods (.), and underscores (_). You cannot use spaces, special characters like hyphens or @ symbols, or emojis. Your username cannot start with a number — it must begin with a letter.

Usernames are not case-sensitive, so "JohnSmith" and "johnsmith" are treated as the same username. If you want to make your username easier to read, use periods or underscores instead of capitalizing — for example, "john.smith" or "john_smith." Meta will not let you reserve a username that impersonates a public figure or brand, and if you do create one, Meta may disable it.

What happens if your desired username is taken

When you try to claim a username that someone else already has, Meta shows a message saying the username is unavailable. You cannot request that Meta release it or put you on a waiting list. Your only option is to choose a different username.

Common workarounds include adding your birth year, a meaningful number, or an underscore or period to your preferred name. For example, if "sarah.jones" is taken, you might try "sarah.jones23" or "sarah_jones." You can also check whether the username is available on all three platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Threads) — sometimes a name is free on one but taken on another.

How the 14-day waiting period works

After you change your username, you must wait 14 days before you can change it again. This timer starts the moment you confirm your new username. If you try to change it before 14 days have passed, Meta will show you a message with the exact date you can make your next change.

If you change your username very frequently — for example, multiple times in a short period — Meta may temporarily lock you out of making further changes, even after 14 days have passed. This is a safety measure to prevent account abuse. If you are locked out, wait a few days and try again.

What does not change when you update your username

Your friends, followers, and messages stay exactly the same. People who follow you will still see your updated profile and will not need to re-follow you. Any links you shared using your old username will still work — Meta redirects the old URL to your new profile automatically. Your account history, photos, posts, and all other content remain unchanged.

If you have a business account or a verified badge, those stay with your account too. The only thing that changes is the handle people use to search for you and the URL of your profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads separately?

If your accounts are linked, changing your username on one platform may change it on the others. If your accounts are not linked, you can set different usernames on each platform. Check your account settings to see whether your Facebook, Instagram, and Threads accounts are connected.

What if I forgot my current username?

Go to your profile and look at the URL in your browser's address bar. On Facebook, the URL is facebook.com/yourname — "yourname" is your username. On Instagram, tap your profile and look at the top of the screen. Your username appears with an @ symbol in front of it.

Can I use special characters like hyphens or @ symbols in my username?

No. Meta only allows letters, numbers, periods, and underscores. Hyphens, @ symbols, spaces, and other special characters will cause an error when you try to save your new username.

What if Meta says my username violates their rules?

Meta may reject usernames that impersonate public figures, brands, or celebrities, or that contain hateful language. If your username is rejected, choose a different one that does not reference a real person or organization.

Do I need to tell my friends my new username?

No. Your friends and followers will still find you because Meta redirects your old profile URL to your new one. However, if people search for your old username, they will not find you — they will need to search for your new username or find you through mutual friends.