Reddit usernames can be up to 20 characters long

When you create a Reddit account, you have a maximum of 20 characters to work with for your username. That includes letters, numbers, underscores, and hyphens — every single character counts toward that limit. If you try to type a 21st character, Reddit will not let you proceed.

This 20-character cap applies whether you are creating a new account or changing your username later (Reddit lets you change your username once every 30 days). The limit is the same across all Reddit accounts, regardless of whether you use the website, the mobile app, or any third-party client.

Key Takeaways

  • Reddit usernames have a hard limit of 20 characters, including letters, numbers, underscores, and hyphens.
  • Spaces are not allowed in usernames, so you cannot use them to fill out your 20 characters.
  • If your desired username is longer than 20 characters, you will need to shorten it or use numbers and underscores to stay within the limit.
  • You can change your username once every 30 days, so if you pick something too long the first time, you can try again after a month.

Why 20 characters matters when choosing a username

Twenty characters is short enough that you cannot use most full names or long phrases. If your name is "Alexandra" and your last name is "Richardson," that is already 18 characters without a space — leaving you only 2 characters for a number or underscore. Many people find they need to abbreviate, use initials, or add numbers to fit.

The limit also affects how your username displays on Reddit. Your name appears in comments, posts, your profile, and anywhere else you interact. A shorter username is easier for other people to type when they mention you with the @ symbol, and it takes up less space in threads. Some users intentionally stay well under 20 characters for this reason.

What counts toward the 20-character limit

Every character you type counts. That means:

  • Letters (uppercase and lowercase both count as one character each)
  • Numbers (0 through 9)
  • Underscores (_)
  • Hyphens (-)

Spaces do not count because Reddit does not allow spaces in usernames at all. If you want to separate words visually, you must use an underscore or hyphen instead. For example, "coffee_lover" uses 13 characters, while "coffeelover" uses 11.

How to check your username length before creating it

Reddit shows you a character counter as you type your desired username during account creation. The counter tells you how many characters you have used and how many you have left. If you type something longer than 20 characters, the field will not accept the extra characters — you straightforward cannot type past the limit.

If you are planning your username ahead of time, you can count the characters yourself or use any online character counter tool. Type out your idea and count every letter, number, underscore, and hyphen. If the total is 20 or fewer, it will work on Reddit.

Common mistakes that eat up characters

People often underestimate how quickly 20 characters fills up. Adding "2024" to the end of a username uses 4 characters. Adding an underscore before a number uses 2 characters. If your base name is already 16 or 17 characters, you have very little room left.

Another common mistake is trying to use special characters that Reddit does not allow. Periods, commas, apostrophes, and most symbols are not permitted in usernames. If you want to separate words, underscore and hyphen are your only options. Trying to use a period or other symbol will cause Reddit to reject the entire username.

What to do if your preferred username is too long

If the username you want exceeds 20 characters, you have several options. You can remove vowels or use abbreviations — "CoffeeAddict" becomes "CfAddict" or "CfAdd." You can replace words with numbers that sound similar — "for" becomes "4," "to" becomes "2." You can also add a number at the end to shorten the base name, like "coffee_lover_1" instead of "coffee_lover_extraordinaire."

Another approach is to check whether someone else has already taken the shorter version of your name. If "CoffeeAddict" is taken but "CoffeeAddict2024" is available, you know the base name exists but you can still get a variation. Reddit's search function lets you look up whether a username is taken before you try to create it.

Changing your username if you regret your choice

If you create a username and later realize it is too long, awkward, or just not what you wanted, Reddit allows you to change it. You can change your username once every 30 days. Go to your account settings, find the "Change username" option, and follow the prompts. The same 20-character limit applies to your new username.

Keep in mind that when you change your username, your old posts and comments do not disappear — they stay on Reddit with your old username attached. Other users cannot see that you changed your name unless they look at your profile directly. The change is effective when ready for new activity going forward.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use spaces in my Reddit username?

No. Reddit does not allow spaces in usernames. If you want to separate words, use an underscore (_) or hyphen (-) instead. Both count as one character each toward your 20-character limit.

What happens if I try to create a username longer than 20 characters?

Reddit will not let you type past 20 characters. The text field stops accepting input once you reach the limit. You will need to delete characters or shorten your username before you can proceed with account creation.

Do uppercase and lowercase letters count differently?

No. Whether you use uppercase or lowercase, each letter counts as one character. "CoffeeAddict" and "coffeeaddict" are both 12 characters, even though one has capital letters.

Can I use periods or other symbols in my username?

Reddit only allows letters, numbers, underscores, and hyphens. Periods, commas, apostrophes, and most other symbols are not permitted. If you try to use them, Reddit will reject the username and ask you to choose a different one.

If I change my username, do my old posts get deleted?

No. Your old posts and comments stay on Reddit with your previous username attached to them. Changing your username does not affect your post history. Only new activity going forward will show your new username.