Where to find your username settings on Khan Academy

Your Khan Academy username lives in your account settings, which you reach through a menu in the top right corner of the screen. Log in to your Khan Academy account first — whether you're on a computer, tablet, or phone, the process is the same.

Once you're logged in, look for your profile icon or initials in the top right corner. Click or tap it, and a dropdown menu will appear. Select "Settings" from that menu. You'll land on a page that shows your account information, including your current username.

If you're on a mobile app rather than the website, the menu location may vary slightly — some apps use a hamburger menu (three horizontal lines) instead of a profile icon. Look for "Account Settings" or "Profile Settings" in that menu.

Key Takeaways

  • Your username settings are in the account menu under "Settings," which you reach from your profile icon in the top right corner.
  • Khan Academy usernames must be between 3 and 30 characters and can include letters, numbers, underscores, and hyphens.
  • You can change your username once every 30 days, so choose carefully if you've recently made a change.
  • Your new username takes effect when ready, but your learning progress and course enrollment stay exactly the same.

The username rules Khan Academy enforces

Khan Academy has specific requirements for what a username can be. Your username must be between 3 and 30 characters long. You can use letters (uppercase and lowercase), numbers, underscores, and hyphens, but no spaces or special characters like periods, commas, or symbols.

The system will reject usernames that are already taken by another account, so if you want a common word or name, you may need to add numbers or underscores to make it unique. Khan Academy also blocks usernames that contain profanity or are offensive, so keep that in mind when choosing.

If you try to enter a username that breaks these rules, the system will tell you exactly what's wrong — too short, too long, contains invalid characters, or already in use. You can then adjust and try again.

Step-by-step: changing your username

Once you're in Settings, find the field labeled "Username" on the page. It will show your current username. Click or tap in that field to select it, then delete the old username and type in your new one.

As you type, Khan Academy will check whether the username is available and whether it meets the character rules. If there's a problem, you'll see a message below the field explaining what needs to change. Once you enter a valid, available username, a "Save" or "Update" button will appear.

Click that button to confirm the change. Your new username is now active. You don't need to log out and back in — the change takes effect when ready in your current session.

The 30-day waiting period between changes

Khan Academy limits how often you can change your username. Once you change it, you must wait 30 days before you can change it again. This rule exists to prevent confusion and to keep usernames stable for other students who might be collaborating with you or viewing your profile.

If you try to change your username before 30 days have passed since your last change, the system will show you a message telling you when you'll be able to change it next. Mark that date on your calendar if you know you'll want to make another change.

This waiting period applies even if you change your username back to what it was before. If you change from "alex_2024" to "alexander" and then want to go back to "alex_2024" the next day, you'll still have to wait until the 30 days are up.

What stays the same after you change your username

Changing your username does not affect any of your learning data. Your progress in courses, your points, your badges, and your completed exercises all remain exactly as they were. Your course enrollment doesn't change either — you stay in all the same classes and groups.

If you're a teacher and you have students, they will see your new username the next time they view your profile or see your name in their course. If you're a student in a class, your teacher will see your new username on their roster and in your assignment submissions.

Your email address, password, and other account security settings are separate from your username and are not affected by this change.

Troubleshooting: username changes that don't work

If you click the save button and nothing happens, check that your new username meets all the requirements: it's between 3 and 30 characters, contains only letters, numbers, underscores, or hyphens, and isn't already taken. The error message on the screen will tell you which rule is the problem.

If the page seems frozen or the button doesn't respond, try refreshing the page and logging back in. Sometimes a browser cache issue can prevent the form from working properly. If you're on a mobile app, try closing the app completely and opening it again.

If you've waited the full 30 days since your last change and you still can't change your username, contact Khan Academy's support team through the help section of the website. They can look into whether there's a technical issue with your account.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes, but you still have to wait 30 days from your most recent change. If you changed from "jordan" to "jordan_2024" today, you cannot change back to "jordan" until 30 days from now, even though "jordan" is technically available again.

What happens to my username if I delete my account?

Once your account is deleted, your username becomes available for someone else to use. If you think you might want to use Khan Academy again in the future, consider changing your username to something you don't mind others using instead of deleting the account entirely.

Can a teacher or parent change my username for me?

No. Only you can change your own username by logging into your account and going to Settings. Teachers and parents can see your username and progress, but they cannot modify your username or other account details.

Does changing my username affect my login email or password?

No. Your username and your login email are separate. You log in with your email address and password, not with your username. Changing your username does not change either of those.