What you can change about your Facebook link

Facebook lets you create a custom URL — a shorter, personalized web address for your profile instead of the long number string Facebook assigns by default. This custom URL appears in your profile link, on your About page, and anywhere else Facebook displays your profile address. You can change it once every 30 days after you set it the first time.

The custom URL you choose becomes part of facebook.com/yourname. It cannot contain spaces, and Facebook reserves certain words (like "facebook" or "help"). Once you change it, your old custom URL stops working within a few hours, though the long number-based link to your profile always works.

You cannot change the custom URL if your account is brand new — Facebook requires your account to be at least 30 days old and to have a confirmed name and profile picture before you can set one.

Key Takeaways

  • Your account must be at least 30 days old, have a confirmed name, and have a profile picture before you can create or change a custom URL.
  • You can change your custom URL once every 30 days, and the old one stops working within a few hours.
  • The custom URL you choose becomes facebook.com/yourname and cannot contain spaces or reserved words like "facebook".
  • You change your custom URL through Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then Personal Information.

How to change your custom URL on desktop

Open Facebook in a web browser and log in. Click the downward arrow in the top right corner of the screen — this opens a menu. Select Settings and Privacy, then click Settings.

On the left side of the screen, you will see a menu. Click Personal Information. Under the "Username" section, you will see your current custom URL. Click the pencil icon next to it to edit.

Type the new custom URL you want. Facebook will tell you immediately if the name is taken or reserved. Once you enter a name that is available, click Review Change, then Confirm. Your new custom URL takes effect within a few hours.

How to change your custom URL on mobile

Open the Facebook app and tap the three horizontal lines in the bottom right corner (on iPhone) or top right corner (on Android). Scroll down and tap Settings and Privacy, then tap Settings.

Scroll down to Personal Information and tap it. Tap Username. You will see your current custom URL with a pencil icon next to it. Tap the pencil to edit.

Type your new custom URL. If it is available, tap Review Change, then Confirm. The change takes effect within a few hours.

What to do if your desired custom URL is taken

If the custom URL you want is already in use, Facebook will show you a message saying the username is unavailable. You cannot request that someone else give up their custom URL, and Facebook does not have a waiting list for taken names.

Your options are to choose a different custom URL or use a variation — adding numbers, underscores, or periods to your preferred name. For example, if "jane.smith" is taken, you might try "jane.smith.1" or "jane_smith". Keep in mind that the simpler your custom URL, the easier it is for people to find and remember you.

Waiting period and cooldown between changes

After you change your custom URL, you must wait 30 days before you can change it again. This 30-day timer starts from the date you made the change, not from when Facebook confirmed it. If you try to change it before 30 days have passed, Facebook will show you the date when you can change it next.

During this waiting period, your new custom URL is active and working. The old custom URL stops working within a few hours of your change. If someone bookmarked your old link or shared it, that link will no longer lead to your profile — they will need to use your new custom URL or your permanent profile number link.

Troubleshooting common problems

If you cannot find the Username option in Personal Information, your account may be too new. Facebook requires accounts to be at least 30 days old before you can set a custom URL. Check back after 30 days have passed since you created your account.

If you see an error message when you try to confirm your change, the custom URL you chose may have been taken by someone else in the time between when you typed it and when you clicked confirm. Go back and choose a different name.

If your new custom URL is not working after several hours, try logging out and logging back in. Clear your browser cache if you are on desktop — sometimes your browser holds onto the old link. If the problem continues after 24 hours, the issue may be on Facebook's end, and you can report it through the Help Center.

How your custom URL appears to others

When someone visits your profile, they see your custom URL in the address bar at the top of their browser. If they want to share your profile, they can copy that link. Your custom URL also appears on your About page under Contact Information, and Facebook may display it in search results when someone looks for you by name.

Changing your custom URL does not change your profile name — that is a separate setting. Your profile name is what appears at the top of your profile and in your posts. Your custom URL is just the web address people use to reach your profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use special characters or spaces in my custom URL?

No. Facebook custom URLs can only contain letters, numbers, periods, and underscores. Spaces are not allowed. If you want to separate words, use a period or underscore instead — for example, "jane.smith" or "jane_smith".

What happens to my old custom URL after I change it?

Your old custom URL stops working within a few hours. Anyone who tries to use the old link will get an error. The permanent number-based link to your profile (the long string of numbers) always works, even after you change your custom URL.

Can I change my custom URL more than once a month?

No. You must wait 30 days between changes. The 30-day timer starts from the date you made the change. If you try to change it before 30 days have passed, Facebook will show you the exact date when you can change it next.

Does changing my custom URL affect my Facebook Page or Business Account?

No. Your personal profile custom URL and your Facebook Page custom URL are separate. You change them in different places. Pages have their own username settings under Page Settings, not under Personal Information.

What if someone else has the custom URL I want?

You cannot request that they change it or give it up. Facebook does not have a process to reclaim usernames from other accounts. Your only option is to choose a different custom URL or a variation with numbers or underscores added.