Pick a username that you can remember and type quickly
A good username is something you can type without thinking and remember six months from now. The best usernames combine a word you use often with a number or two — not your birth year, which is straightforward to guess. Examples: gardenplot42, coffeemug17, bookshelf88. These are real words, short enough to type in seconds, and hard to guess.
Avoid usernames that are your full name, your email address, or your phone number. These make you easier to find and easier to target. Also avoid usernames that are just numbers or just letters — they are hard to remember and hard to type correctly. A mix of letters and a few numbers works best.
Check whether the site has rules about length. Most sites want usernames between 3 and 20 characters. Some sites do not allow spaces, so use underscores or hyphens instead: garden_plot_42 or garden-plot-42. Read the site's rules before you type anything in.
Key Takeaways
- A strong username combines a real word with a number, is 8 to 16 characters long, and avoids your actual name or birth year.
- Use only letters, numbers, underscores, and hyphens unless the site tells you otherwise.
- Test your username choice on the site before you finish signing up — the site will tell you if it is already taken or breaks a rule.
- Write your username down in a password manager or notebook so you do not forget it later.
- Different sites may require different usernames, so plan for the possibility that your first choice will not be available everywhere.
Check whether your username is already taken
Most sites check this for you as you type. If the username is available, the site shows a green checkmark or says "available". If someone else has it, the site shows a red X or says "taken". This happens in real time, so you know right away whether to pick something else.
If your first choice is taken, try adding a number to the end: gardenplot_42 instead of gardenplot42, or gardenplot422 instead of gardenplot42. You can also swap a letter for a number that looks similar — gard3nplot42 instead of gardenplot42 — though this makes it harder for you to remember.
Use the same username across multiple sites, or use different ones
If you use the same username everywhere, people can find all your accounts by searching for that name. This is convenient for you but makes you easier to track. If you use a different username on each site, you are harder to find, but you have to remember more usernames.
A middle path works well: use the same username on sites where you do not mind being found — social media, forums, public profiles — and use different usernames on sites that hold money or personal information, like banking, email, and shopping. Write all your usernames in a password manager like Bitwarden, 1Password, or Dashlane so you do not have to remember them.
Make sure your username does not contain personal information
Do not use your street address, your child's name, your pet's name, your workplace, or any date you were born. These are straightforward to guess and straightforward to find if someone knows you. A hacker who finds your username on one site can use it to guess your password on another.
The same rule applies to usernames based on your hobbies or interests if they are very specific to you. tennisplayer is fine. tennisplayer_westchester_high_2019 is not, because it narrows you down to a small group of people.
Test your username before you finish signing up
Some sites do not tell you whether a username works until you try to log in later. Before you close the sign-up page, log out and try to log back in with your new username and password. If it works, you are done. If it does not, you caught the problem while you can still fix it.
This is especially important on sites that let you sign up with a username or an email address. Make sure you know which one you used, because you will need it to log in next time.
Save your username in a place you can find it
Write your username in a password manager — this is the safest place because the password manager stores it encrypted and fills it in automatically. If you do not use a password manager, write it on a piece of paper and keep it in a drawer, or write it in a notebook you keep at home. Do not email it to yourself or text it to yourself.
If you forget your username later, most sites have a "Forgot username?" link on the login page. You will usually need to enter your email address, and the site will send you a reminder. This takes a few minutes, so it is worth writing it down now.
Change your username if you no longer like it
Most sites let you change your username in your account settings, usually under "Profile" or "Account". The process is straightforward: click the edit button, type your new username, and save. Some sites charge a small fee for this, and some limit how often you can change it — usually once every 30 days.
When you change your username, your old username becomes available for someone else to take. If you had a public profile under that username, the old links may stop working. Check the site's help page to see whether old links redirect to your new username or break entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use special characters like @ or ! in my username?
Most sites do not allow special characters in usernames. Stick to letters, numbers, underscores, and hyphens. The site will tell you which characters are allowed when you try to create your username — if a character does not work, delete it and try something else.
What if I want to use my real name as my username?
You can, but it makes you easier to find and easier to target. If you do use your real name, use a strong password and turn on two-factor authentication if the site offers it. This adds a second step to logging in, making your account harder to break into.
Should I use the same username on my email account as on other sites?
No. Your email username should be different from your usernames on other sites. If someone guesses your email username, they can use it to try to reset your password on other accounts. Keep your email username separate and private.
What do I do if someone else is using my username and I want it back?
If the account is inactive, some sites will let you request the username. Look for a "Report abuse" or "Contact support" link on the site and explain that the account is inactive and you want to use the username. The site may or may not help — it depends on their policy.
Can I use spaces in my username?
Most sites do not allow spaces in usernames because spaces are hard to type and straightforward to forget. Use underscores or hyphens instead: garden_plot or garden-plot. The site will tell you if spaces are not allowed when you try to create your username.