How to change your display name on X
Your display name on X (formerly Twitter) is the name that appears next to your profile picture and above your posts. It is separate from your username — the @handle that comes after the @ symbol. You can change your display name whenever you want, and it takes effect immediately across the platform. The process is the same whether you use X on the web, the mobile app for iOS, or the mobile app for Android.
X does not limit how many times you can change your display name, and there is no waiting period between changes. You can use letters, numbers, spaces, and some symbols. X will reject display names that are blank, contain only spaces, or exceed 50 characters.
Key Takeaways
- Your display name is different from your username (@handle) and can be changed at any time without affecting your account or followers.
- On the web, go to Settings and Privacy, then Account, then Account Information to find the display name field.
- On the X mobile app, tap your profile icon, then Settings and Privacy, then Account, then Account Information.
- Display names can be up to 50 characters and can include letters, numbers, spaces, and some symbols, but not emojis.
- Your followers will see the new display name immediately, but your username stays the same.
Changing your display name on the web
Open X in your web browser and log in to your account. Click or tap the three-dot menu icon in the left sidebar (or at the top of the screen on mobile browsers), then select Settings and Privacy.
From the Settings menu, click Account in the left column. Then click Account Information. You will see a field labeled Name — this is your display name. Click into the field, delete the current text, and type your new display name. X will show you a character count as you type. Once you are done, click the Save button that appears below the field.
The change takes effect immediately. Your followers will see your new display name the next time they refresh their feed or visit your profile.
Changing your display name on the X mobile app
Open the X app and tap your profile icon in the bottom navigation bar (it looks like a person's head and shoulders). Tap Settings and Privacy from the menu that appears. Then tap Account, followed by Account Information.
You will see the Name field at the top of the screen. Tap it to edit. Delete your current display name and type the new one. As you type, X will show you how many characters you have used. When you are finished, tap outside the field or tap the back arrow to save your changes.
What you can and cannot use in a display name
X allows letters (uppercase and lowercase), numbers, spaces, and punctuation marks like hyphens, underscores, periods, and apostrophes in display names. You cannot use emojis, even though they may appear in other parts of your profile. If you try to save a display name with an emoji, X will reject it and ask you to remove it.
Your display name must have at least one character and cannot be only spaces. X will not let you save a blank display name. The maximum length is 50 characters, including spaces.
The difference between display name and username
Your display name is what people see next to your profile picture and above your posts. Your username (your @handle) is the unique identifier that comes after the @ symbol and is used in links to your profile. When you change your display name, your username stays exactly the same. Your followers do not need to re-follow you, and any links to your profile continue to work.
If you want to change your username instead, that is a separate process and has different rules — usernames can only be changed once every 30 days, and changing it may affect how people find you.
What happens when you change your display name
When you save a new display name, X updates it across your entire account immediately. Everyone who visits your profile will see the new name. Your followers will see it the next time they refresh their timeline. Any posts you have already made will show your new display name, even though they were posted under your old one.
Changing your display name does not affect your follower count, your direct messages, your saved posts, or any other part of your account. People who have you muted or blocked will still have you muted or blocked. Your account history and all your posts remain unchanged.
Troubleshooting display name changes
If you see an error message when you try to save a new display name, the most common reasons are: the name contains an emoji or unsupported character, the name is blank or only spaces, or the name exceeds 50 characters. Delete any emojis, add at least one letter or number, or shorten the name and try again.
If you are still unable to save after checking these things, try logging out and logging back in, or try using a different browser or device. If the problem persists, you may have a temporary issue with your account or connection — wait a few minutes and try again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my display name back to what it was before?
Yes. You can change your display name as many times as you want, and there is no waiting period. Simply go back to your Account Information and enter your old display name (or any name you want). X does not prevent you from reusing a previous display name.
Will changing my display name affect my followers or my posts?
No. Your followers stay followers, your posts stay posted, and your follower count does not change. Everyone will simply see your new display name next to your profile picture and on all your posts, including old ones.
Can I use special characters or symbols in my display name?
You can use hyphens, underscores, periods, and apostrophes. You cannot use emojis. If you try to use a character that X does not support, it will reject your entry and ask you to remove it before saving.
Is my display name the same as my @username?
No. Your display name is what appears next to your picture. Your @username is your unique handle and appears in your profile link. You can change your display name anytime, but your username can only be changed once every 30 days.
What is the character limit for a display name?
Your display name can be up to 50 characters long, including spaces and punctuation. X will show you a character counter as you type so you know how much space you have left.