You can change your Twitter username anytime from your account settings

Your Twitter username — the handle that starts with @ — can be changed whenever you want, and it takes about two minutes. The change happens immediately across your entire account. Your old username becomes available for someone else to claim after a short waiting period, so if you want to keep it reserved, you should not change it unless you are sure.

The process is the same whether you use Twitter on a phone or computer. You will need to know your current password, because Twitter asks you to confirm it before making the change.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your Twitter username from Settings and Privacy, under Account, then Username — no special permissions or waiting period required.
  • Your new username must be between 4 and 15 characters, contain only letters, numbers, and underscores, and cannot be a username already in use.
  • The change takes effect immediately, but your old username becomes available for others to claim after a few minutes.
  • If you change your username, your profile URL changes too, so any links people saved to your old profile will no longer work.
  • You can change your username back to a previous one you owned, but only if nobody else has claimed it in the meantime.

Steps to change your username on any device

Step 1: Open Settings and Privacy. On the web version, click the three dots (more) icon in the left sidebar, then select "Settings and Privacy". On the phone app, tap your profile picture in the top left, then tap "Settings and Privacy".

Step 2: Go to Account settings. Select "Account" from the menu that appears. You will see several options related to your account.

Step 3: Find and click Username. Look for the "Username" field. It will show your current handle. Click or tap on it to open the edit box.

Step 4: Type your new username. Enter the new handle you want. As you type, Twitter will tell you if the name is available or already taken. The username must be 4 to 15 characters long and can only contain letters, numbers, and underscores — no spaces or special characters like hyphens or periods.

Step 5: Confirm with your password. Twitter will ask you to enter your password to confirm the change. Type it in and click "Save" or "Confirm". The change takes effect immediately.

What happens to your old username and profile links

Once you change your username, the old one is not deleted — it becomes available for someone else to claim. Twitter holds it for a short period (usually a few minutes to a few hours), but after that, anyone can take it. If you think you might want it back later, you should know that you cannot reserve it.

Any links to your old profile will stop working. If you shared your profile link on a website, in an email, or in a bio elsewhere, people who click that link will see an error or be redirected. Your followers will still be able to find you because they follow your account, not your username, but the direct link to your profile changes.

Your tweets, followers, and all other account data stay exactly the same. Only the username changes.

Rules for choosing a new username

Twitter has specific rules about what usernames are allowed. Your new handle must be between 4 and 15 characters long. You can use uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers 0 through 9, and underscores. You cannot use spaces, hyphens, periods, or any other special characters.

The username cannot already be in use by another account. If you try to enter a name that is taken, Twitter will show you a message saying it is unavailable. You can also search for a username before you try to claim it — just go to twitter.com/@username to see if it exists.

Usernames are not case-sensitive on Twitter, so @JohnSmith and @johnsmith are treated as the same account. If you change only the capitalization of your current username, Twitter will allow it, but it will not show as a change to other users.

Reclaiming a username you used to own

If you changed your username in the past and want to go back to an old one, you can do so — but only if nobody else has claimed it. Search for the old username first to see if it is still available. If it is, follow the same steps above to change back to it.

If someone else has taken your old username, you cannot get it back through Twitter's settings. You would need to contact that person and ask them to change it, which they have no obligation to do. Twitter does not reassign usernames to previous owners.

Troubleshooting common problems

The username I want says it is unavailable, but I cannot find the account. The account might be suspended, deleted, or the username might be reserved by Twitter for a business or public figure. You cannot claim reserved usernames. If the account appears to be deleted, wait a few days — deleted accounts sometimes take time to fully clear from the system.

I changed my username but my old profile link still works. This is unusual. Try logging out and back in, or clearing your browser cache. Sometimes your device holds onto the old URL. If the old link still shows your account after that, it may be a temporary display issue that will resolve within a few hours.

I cannot find the Username field in Settings. Make sure you are in Settings and Privacy, then Account. If you are using the phone app, scroll down — the Username field is not always visible at the top of the Account menu. On the web, it should be near the top of the Account section.

What to do before you change your username

Before you make the change, think about where your current username appears. If you have it listed on a personal website, a resume, a business card, or anywhere else, you will want to update those places too. People who have your old username written down will not be able to find you by typing it into Twitter.

If you run a business account or a public account that people follow specifically for your username, changing it could confuse your audience. Your followers will still see your account, but new people looking for your old handle will not find you.

You do not need to notify Twitter or wait for approval — the change is instant and final. But if you have any doubt, you can always change it back to your current username later, as long as nobody else has claimed it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing my username affect my followers or my tweets?

No. Your followers stay with your account, and all your tweets remain exactly as they are. Only the @ handle changes. People who follow you will continue to see your posts in their feed, and they can still find you through your profile.

Can I change my username back to one I used before?

Yes, if nobody else has claimed it. Search for the old username first to check if it is available. If it is, you can change to it using the same steps. If someone else has taken it, you cannot reclaim it through Twitter.

How long does it take for my new username to show up everywhere?

The change is immediate in your account settings and on your profile. However, it may take a few minutes to show up in search results or in other places across Twitter. If you see your old username somewhere after changing it, wait a few minutes and refresh the page.

What if the username I want is taken but the account looks inactive?

Twitter does not reassign inactive usernames to new users. The account owner still owns it, even if they have not posted in years. Your only option is to choose a different username or wait to see if the account is ever deleted, which you cannot predict.

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

No. Twitter usernames can only contain letters, numbers, and underscores. Hyphens, periods, spaces, and other special characters are not allowed. If you want to separate words, use an underscore instead.