You can change your Twitter username anytime, and it takes about two minutes

Your Twitter username — the handle that starts with @ — is separate from your display name. You can change it whenever you want, and Twitter doesn't limit how many times you do this. The old username becomes available for someone else to claim after you change it, so if you're switching to something new, pick your next handle before you make the change.

The process is the same whether you use Twitter on the web, iPhone, or Android. You'll go into your account settings, find the username field, type the new one, and save. Twitter checks instantly whether that username is already taken.

Key Takeaways

  • Your username is different from your display name — you can change your display name anytime without affecting your @handle.
  • When you change your username, your old one becomes available for anyone else to claim within a few minutes.
  • Twitter doesn't restrict how many times you change your username, but changing it very frequently can confuse people trying to find you.
  • Your followers stay with you when you change your username — they don't have to re-follow you.
  • You cannot reserve a username or hold multiple usernames on one account.

How to change your username on the web

Open Twitter in your browser and click the three-dot menu in the top left corner. Select "Settings and privacy," then click "Settings." On the left side, click "Account," then scroll down to find "Username."

Click in the username field and delete your current handle. Type your new username — it can be 4 to 15 characters long and can include letters, numbers, and underscores. Twitter will show you a green checkmark if the username is available or a red X if someone already has it. Once you see the checkmark, click "Save" at the bottom of the page.

How to change your username on iPhone or Android

Open the Twitter app and tap your profile picture in the top left corner. Tap "Settings and privacy," then tap "Settings." Scroll down and tap "Account," then tap "Username."

Delete your current username and type the new one. The app will check availability in real time. When you see the green checkmark, tap "Save" at the top right of the screen. On Android, you may see a "Done" button instead.

What happens to your old username

When you change your username, your old one doesn't stay reserved for you. Twitter releases it immediately, and anyone can claim it within a few minutes. If you're worried someone might impersonate you by taking your old handle, you can create a second account and claim it yourself, though Twitter's terms don't allow you to hold it indefinitely without using it.

Your followers don't lose you when you change your username. They'll still see your tweets in their feed, and if they visit your profile, they'll see your new handle. Links to your old profile (@youroldname) will redirect to your new one for a short time, but that redirect eventually expires.

Things to know before you change

Changing your username frequently can make it harder for people to find you or tag you in conversations. If you're known by a particular handle in your community or industry, switching it might mean losing some recognition. Think through whether the new username is one you'll stick with.

Your username is different from your display name — the name that appears at the top of your profile. You can change your display name as often as you want without touching your username. If you just want to update how your name looks without changing your @handle, go to "Profile" in settings instead of "Account."

If your desired username is taken

If the username you want shows a red X, someone already has it. You can't request that Twitter give it to you, and you can't put in a waiting list. Your options are to choose a different username, or wait to see if the account that holds it becomes inactive. Twitter doesn't delete inactive accounts, so a username held by an inactive account is permanently unavailable.

You can try adding numbers, underscores, or abbreviations to your preferred name — for example, @yourname_2024 or @yn_official. Some people use periods or underscores in the middle of words to create variations on a taken handle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my followers unfollow me if I change my username?

No. Your followers stay connected to your account when you change your username. They'll continue to see your tweets and you'll remain in their follower list. The change is invisible to them unless they notice your new @handle.

Can I change my username back to what it was before?

Only if no one else has claimed it. Since your old username becomes available immediately when you change it, someone else may have taken it. If they have, you'll need to contact them to ask them to release it, which they're not obligated to do.

How long does it take for a username change to show up everywhere?

The change is instant on your profile and in your settings. It may take a few minutes to update everywhere else on Twitter — in search results, in people's follower lists, and in old tweets. If you see your old username somewhere, refresh the page.

Can I use special characters or spaces in my username?

No. Twitter usernames can only contain letters (A–Z, a–z), numbers (0–9), and underscores. You cannot use spaces, periods, hyphens, or other symbols, though your display name can include anything.

What if I see an error message when I try to save?

The most common error is that the username is already taken — the red X will show this. If you see a different error, try refreshing the page and logging in again. If the problem continues, check Twitter's status page to see if there's a service issue.