Reddit assigns you a random username by default, but you can change it to something you prefer

When you create a Reddit account, the site generates a random username for you automatically. This username appears as a string of letters and numbers — something like "Charming_Kangaroo_47" or "Broad_Skill_8291". You do not have to keep it. Reddit lets you change your username once, and only once, within 30 days of account creation. After that 30-day window closes, you are locked into whichever name you chose.

The random assignment exists because Reddit needs to give you something to post under when ready. Rather than forcing you to pick a name before you explore the site, Reddit hands you a temporary one and lets you decide later whether to keep it or swap it for something custom. This approach means you can see how the site works before committing to a permanent identity.

Key Takeaways

  • Reddit generates a random username for every new account, but you can change it once within 30 days of signing up.
  • After 30 days pass, your username becomes permanent and cannot be changed, so choose carefully before that important date.
  • You change your username in Account Settings under the "Username" section, not in your profile settings.
  • Usernames must be between 3 and 20 characters, can include letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores, and cannot be changed back to a previous name.
  • If you do not change your random username within 30 days, you keep the one Reddit assigned and cannot alter it later.

How to change your random username before the 30-day important date

To change your username, log into Reddit and click your profile icon in the top right corner. Select "User Settings" from the dropdown menu. On the settings page, look for the "Username" section on the left side — this is different from your display name, which is optional and can be changed anytime. Click "Change" next to your current username.

Reddit will show you a text box where you type your new username. The name must be between 3 and 20 characters long and can contain letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores. Reddit will tell you when ready if the name is already taken or breaks the character rules. Once you confirm your choice, the change takes effect right away. You cannot undo this change or pick a different username later, so make sure you are satisfied before you confirm.

The 30-day window starts from the moment you create your account, not from when you first log in. If you created your account on March 15, you have until April 14 to make the change. After that date passes, Reddit locks your username permanently.

What happens if you miss the 30-day window

If 30 days pass without you changing your username, you are stuck with the random name Reddit assigned. There is no way to change it after that important date, no matter how much time passes or how many requests you make. Reddit does not offer exceptions to this rule, and contacting support will not reverse it.

This is why it matters to check your username early. If you created an account and did not look at your username for a month, you may have already lost the chance to change it. You can check when your account was created by visiting your profile page and looking at the "Joined" date.

Rules for choosing a new username

Reddit has specific rules about what characters and words are allowed in usernames. Your username can contain uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores. It cannot contain spaces, special characters like @, #, or !, or profanity. Reddit will reject the name if it violates these rules or if it is already taken by another user.

Usernames are not case-sensitive on Reddit, meaning "RedditUser" and "reddituser" are treated as the same account. However, you can use capital letters in your username for display purposes — they will show up in your posts and comments the way you typed them. Keep in mind that your username is public and permanent, so choose something you will not regret seeing attached to your posts years from now.

The difference between username and display name

Reddit lets you set both a username and a display name, and they serve different purposes. Your username is what you chose during account creation or changed within 30 days — it is permanent and appears in your profile URL and in technical contexts. Your display name is optional and can be changed anytime. It is what shows up next to your posts and comments if you set one.

Many users leave the display name blank and just use their username. Others set a display name that is different from their username for privacy or branding reasons. If you want your posts to show a different name than your permanent username, the display name is where you do that. You can change it as often as you want, unlike your username.

Why Reddit uses random usernames instead of letting you pick when ready

Assigning a random username upfront solves a problem that many sites face: new users often do not know what they want until they have spent time on the platform. By giving you a temporary name, Reddit lets you explore the site, understand the culture, and see how you want to present yourself before you lock in a permanent identity.

The 30-day window also prevents account squatting and username hoarding. If Reddit let you change your username anytime, people could claim popular names, sit on them, and sell them later. The one-time-only rule keeps the username pool fair and prevents that kind of abuse.

What to do if you want a specific username but it is taken

If the username you want is already taken, you have a few options. You can try a variation — adding a number, underscore, or hyphen to make it unique. You can also wait and hope the account holding that name becomes inactive, though Reddit does not delete inactive accounts, so this is unlikely to work.

Some users create multiple accounts to test different usernames before settling on one. Since you get 30 days to change your username on each account, you could create a few accounts, see which random names you like best, and then delete the ones you do not want to keep. This is allowed under Reddit's rules as long as you are not using the accounts to break other policies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username more than once?

No. Reddit allows you to change your username exactly once, and only within 30 days of creating your account. After you make that change or after 30 days pass, your username is permanent and cannot be altered.

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

You cannot change it back. Once you confirm a new username, that is your permanent name. You cannot revert to your old username or pick a third option. Make sure you are happy with your choice before you confirm the change.

Does the 30-day timer reset if I change my password?

No. The 30-day window is based on when you created your account, not on any actions you take afterward. Changing your password, email, or any other setting does not extend the important date for changing your username.

Can I see what my random username is before I decide to change it?

Yes. Your random username appears in your profile, in the top right corner when you are logged in, and in your User Settings. You can see it anytime and decide whether to keep it or change it before the 30-day important date.

What happens if I create a Reddit account but never log in again?

Your account keeps the random username Reddit assigned. Since you never accessed the settings to change it, you are stuck with that name permanently. The 30-day window still applies even if you never use the account.