You can change your Facebook username once every 60 days through your settings

Your Facebook username is the custom web address that appears in your profile URL — the part after facebook.com/. To change it, go to your profile, click the three dots in the top right, select "Settings and privacy," then "Settings." In the left menu, find "Personal information" and click "Username." Type your new username and click "Review change." Facebook will show you the new URL and ask you to confirm. Once you submit, the change takes effect immediately, but you cannot change it again for 60 days.

The username you choose must be between 5 and 50 characters, contain only letters, numbers, periods, and underscores, and cannot be a name that is already taken or reserved by Facebook. If you try a username and Facebook says it is unavailable, try adding a number or period to make it unique. Your old username stops working as soon as you change it, so anyone who had your old URL bookmarked will see an error.

Key Takeaways

  • Change your username through Settings and privacy > Settings > Personal information > Username, and the change takes effect right away.
  • You can only change your username once every 60 days, so choose carefully before you confirm.
  • Your username must be 5 to 50 characters and can only contain letters, numbers, periods, and underscores.
  • After you change your username, your old URL stops working and anyone using the old link will see an error page.

What happens to your old username when you change it

Once you change your username, Facebook releases your old one back into the system. This means someone else can claim it after you let it go. If you had shared your old Facebook URL with friends or posted it online, those links will no longer work. People who try to visit your old profile URL will see a page saying the address does not exist.

Your profile itself does not disappear — people can still find you by searching your name or through mutual friends. The change only affects the custom URL. If you are worried about losing access to your old username, you can keep it by not changing it, or you can change it back within the 60-day window if you realize you made a mistake.

Reasons to change your username and what to update afterward

People change their Facebook username for several reasons: they want a more professional handle, they chose something they now regret, they want to match a username they use elsewhere, or they are trying to increase privacy by making their profile harder to find. Whatever your reason, changing your username is straightforward, but you may need to update other places where you shared the old URL.

If you listed your Facebook profile on a website, in an email signature, or in your business information, update those places with your new username. If you shared your old Facebook URL in comments, posts, or messages, those old links will not work anymore. You do not need to notify Facebook — the change is automatic — but you may want to tell close friends or family if they use your old URL to find you.

Choosing a username that works across platforms

If you use the same username on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, or other platforms, you might want your Facebook username to match. This makes it easier for people to find you across social media and looks more professional if you are building a personal brand. Before you change your Facebook username, check whether your preferred username is available on other platforms, or whether you want to change those usernames too.

Keep in mind that different platforms have different rules about what characters are allowed. Instagram and Twitter do not allow periods or underscores in the same way Facebook does, so you may not be able to match exactly. If you cannot get an exact match, consider using a variation that is close — for example, adding your last initial or a number — so people can still recognize you across platforms.

What to do if your desired username is taken

If the username you want is already taken, Facebook will tell you when you try to claim it. You have a few options: try a slight variation by adding a number, a period, or an underscore; choose a different username altogether; or wait to see if the person using it ever abandons their account (though this is not may provide to happen). Facebook does not release usernames from inactive accounts, so if someone claimed your ideal username years ago and never uses it, you cannot take it back.

If the username is held by a business or public figure and you believe you have a legitimate claim to it — for example, you are the actual business owner — you can report it to Facebook through your settings. Go to the username field, click "Get help," and select "Report this username." Facebook will review your claim, but this process can take time and is not always successful.

How the 60-day waiting period works

Facebook enforces a 60-day cooldown between username changes to prevent people from rapidly cycling through usernames or impersonating others. If you change your username today, you cannot change it again for 60 days, even if you want to switch back to your old one. The timer starts the moment you confirm the change, not when you first try to change it.

If you realize you made a mistake within the 60-day window, you have two options: wait out the 60 days and then change it again, or contact Facebook Support to explain your situation. Support cannot override the 60-day rule, but they can sometimes help if your account was hacked or if you changed your username by mistake and need to reverse it quickly. To contact Support, go to Settings > Help and support > Contact us.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Facebook username on my phone?

Yes. Open the Facebook app, tap the three horizontal lines in the bottom right, scroll to "Settings and privacy," tap "Settings," then "Personal information," then "Username." The process is the same as on a computer.

Will changing my username affect my Facebook Messenger or other connected apps?

No. Your Messenger account, login credentials, and any apps connected to your Facebook account will continue to work. Only the custom URL in your profile changes. People can still message you and find you through search.

What if I forgot my username and need to change it?

You do not need to remember your username to change it. Go to Settings > Personal information > Username, and you will see your current username displayed. Click on it to change it. If you cannot access your account at all, use the "Forgot password?" option on the login page to recover your account first.

Can I use special characters like hyphens or spaces in my username?

No. Facebook only allows letters, numbers, periods, and underscores. Hyphens and spaces are not permitted. If you want to separate words, use a period or underscore instead.

Does changing my username change my display name?

No. Your display name and your username are separate. Your display name is what appears on your posts and profile — you can change that anytime. Your username is the custom URL. You can change one without affecting the other.