The basic steps are almost always the same: go to settings, find the username or profile section, and look for an edit or change option

Most websites and apps store your username in one place — usually under Settings, Account, or Profile. The exact path varies, but the logic is consistent. You find where your current username lives, click edit or change, type the new one, and confirm. Some platforms let you change it when ready; others make you wait a few days or limit how often you can switch.

The real friction comes after: some sites let anyone take your old username when ready, while others hold it for a grace period. Some platforms tie your username to your email or phone number, so changing one doesn't change the other. And a few — notably Twitter and Instagram — charge money if you want a username that's already taken by someone else.

Key Takeaways

  • Most platforms keep the username change option in Settings or Account, under a Profile or Username section.
  • Some sites let you change your username when ready, while others impose a waiting period or limit how often you can switch.
  • Your old username may become available to others right away or may be held for 30 to 90 days, depending on the platform.
  • Changing your username does not change your email address, phone number, or password — you may need to update those separately if you want to.
  • A few platforms charge money to claim a username that someone else currently owns or has abandoned.

Facebook: username versus display name

Facebook has two separate name fields that confuse most people. Your display name is what appears on your posts and comments — you can change this as often as you want by going to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Personal Information > Name. Type the new name and click Review Change.

Your username is the part that appears in your profile URL (facebook.com/yourname). To change it, go to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Personal Information > Username. Facebook lets you change your username once every 60 days. If the username you want is taken, you will see a message saying so — you cannot claim someone else's username, even if their account is inactive.

When you change your username, your old one becomes available to others after a short grace period. Anyone can claim it, so if you have built a following or shared your Facebook URL widely, changing your username may confuse people trying to find you.

Instagram: username and display name are separate

Like Facebook, Instagram separates your display name (what shows on your posts) from your username (the handle in your profile URL). To change your display name, go to your profile, tap Edit Profile, and change the Name field. You can do this as often as you want.

To change your username, tap Edit Profile and change the Username field. Instagram does not publicly state a waiting period between changes, but the platform does throttle rapid switches — if you change it multiple times in a short window, you may be locked out for a few hours. Your old username becomes available to others after a brief hold.

If the username you want is taken, Instagram will not let you claim it. The only exception is if you pay for Instagram Verified (the blue checkmark), which gives you access to a marketplace where you can bid on abandoned or inactive usernames — but this is expensive and not may provide to work.

Twitter/X: changing your handle

On Twitter (now called X), your username is called your handle and appears as @yourname. To change it, go to Settings & Privacy > Your Account > Account Information > Username. Type the new handle and click Save. You can change your handle as often as you want, with no waiting period between changes.

If the handle you want is taken, you cannot claim it through the normal process. However, X offers a paid feature called X Premium that includes access to a username marketplace where you can bid on handles that are currently held by inactive accounts. This is not a may provide way to get a specific handle, and the cost varies.

When you change your handle, your old one becomes available to others when ready. Anyone can claim it, so your old @username may belong to someone else within minutes.

Gmail and Google accounts: username versus display name

Gmail addresses cannot be changed once created. Your email address (yourname@gmail.com) is permanent. However, you can change your display name — the name that appears when you send emails or comment on Google services. Go to myaccount.google.com, click Personal Information, and edit your name.

If you need a different email address entirely, your only option is to create a new Gmail account. You can then forward mail from the old address to the new one, or set up the old account to pull mail into the new one using Gmail's forwarding and POP settings. This is not the same as changing your username, but it is the closest alternative Gmail offers.

Reddit, Discord, and gaming platforms: check the rules before you switch

Reddit lets you change your username once, ever — and only within 30 days of creating your account. After that, you are stuck. To change it during that window, go to User Settings > Account > Username and follow the prompt. If you miss the window, your only option is to create a new account.

Discord lets you change your username as often as you want by going to User Settings > Account > Username. There is no waiting period, but Discord does rate-limit rapid changes to prevent spam. Your old username becomes available to others after a short hold.

Gaming platforms vary widely. Steam lets you change your display name (not your account name) as often as you want through Community > Profile > Edit Profile. PlayStation Network and Xbox Live have their own rules — PlayStation lets you change your PSN once for free, then charges money for additional changes. Xbox allows one free change and charges for subsequent ones. Always check the specific platform's help center before assuming you can switch back if you change your mind.

What happens to your old username

When you change your username, the old one enters a grace period. This period lasts anywhere from a few hours to 90 days, depending on the platform. During this time, no one else can claim it — it is held in case you want to switch back or in case the platform needs to reference it for moderation or account recovery.

After the grace period ends, anyone can claim your old username. This matters if you have shared your profile link widely, posted it on business cards, or built a following around that handle. People trying to find you using the old username will end up at someone else's account.

Some platforms let you reclaim your old username during the grace period by changing back to it. Others do not — once you change away, you cannot use that username again even if no one else has claimed it. Check the platform's help documentation before you change, so you know whether you can undo it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing my username change my password or email address?

No. Your username, email address, and password are separate. Changing your username does not affect the email or phone number tied to your account, and it does not reset your password. If you want to change your email or password, you need to do that separately in the account settings.

Can I claim a username that someone else is using?

Not through the normal process. If the username is taken by an active account, you cannot have it. Some platforms (Instagram, Twitter/X) offer paid marketplaces where you can bid on usernames held by inactive accounts, but this is expensive and not may provide to work. Your best option is to choose a different username.

What if I change my username and then want to change it back?

Most platforms let you reclaim your old username during a grace period — usually 30 to 90 days. After that, your old username is available to anyone, and you cannot use it again. Check the platform's help center to see how long the grace period lasts before you change.

Will people who follow me or have me added as a friend still be able to find me after I change my username?

Yes. Your followers and friends are connected to your account, not to your username. They will still see your profile and posts even after you change your handle. However, people who know your old username but are not following you may not be able to find you if they search for the old name.

Can I use special characters or spaces in my username?

Most platforms do not allow spaces or special characters in usernames. You can usually use letters, numbers, underscores, and periods. Some platforms allow hyphens. Try typing your desired username and the platform will tell you if it contains characters that are not allowed.