You can change your Instagram username from your phone or computer in under a minute

Instagram lets you change your username whenever you want, and the process is the same whether you use the app or a web browser. You go to your profile settings, find the username field, type in something new, and save it. The change takes effect immediately, and your old username becomes available for someone else to claim after 14 days.

The only real limit is that your new username must be between 1 and 30 characters, use only letters, numbers, periods, and underscores, and not already be taken by another account. You can change it back to your old one anytime, even after you've switched to something else.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Instagram settings, tap or click "Edit Profile," and change the username field directly from there.
  • Your new username takes effect right away, but your old one stays reserved for you for 14 days before anyone else can use it.
  • Usernames can only contain letters, numbers, periods, and underscores, and must be 1 to 30 characters long.
  • If the username you want is taken, Instagram will tell you immediately so you can try a different one.
  • You can change your username as many times as you want with no penalty or waiting period between changes.

Change your username on the Instagram app

Open Instagram and tap your profile icon at the bottom right of the screen. This takes you to your profile page. At the top, you'll see a button that says "Edit Profile" — tap it.

You'll see a list of fields including your name, username, bio, and website. The username field is usually the second one. Tap it to highlight the text, then delete your current username and type in the new one you want. As you type, Instagram checks whether that username is available. If it's taken, you'll see a message saying so. If it's free, you'll see a checkmark.

Once you've entered a username that's available, scroll down and tap "Done" at the top right. Your new username is now live on your account.

Change your username on Instagram.com

Go to Instagram.com and log in if you're not already signed in. Click your profile icon at the bottom left of the screen, then click "Settings and Privacy." A menu will open.

Click "Edit Profile" from that menu. You'll see the same fields as in the app — name, username, bio, website, and others. Click on the username field, delete the old one, and type in your new username. Instagram will show you whether it's available as you type.

Once you've chosen an available username, scroll down and click "Save Changes" at the bottom of the page. Your new username is now active.

What happens to your old username

When you change your username, your old one doesn't disappear immediately. Instagram holds it for 14 days, which means you can change back to it anytime during that window without anyone else being able to claim it. After 14 days, your old username becomes available for any other Instagram user to take.

This matters if you're worried about someone impersonating you or if you think you might want to switch back. If you do want to reclaim your old username after 14 days have passed, you'll have to wait for whoever took it to abandon it, or you'll need to choose something different.

Rules for Instagram usernames

Instagram usernames have specific rules about what characters you can use and how long they can be. Your username must be between 1 and 30 characters. You can use letters (uppercase and lowercase), numbers, periods, and underscores. You cannot use spaces, hyphens, or special characters like @, #, or &.

Instagram is case-insensitive for usernames, which means @JohnSmith and @johnsmith are treated as the same account. If you change the capitalization of your username, Instagram will accept it, but it won't create a separate account — it just changes how your name appears.

Your username also cannot be identical to any existing account, even if you use different capitalization. If the username you want is taken, you'll need to add a number, period, or underscore to make it unique.

Usernames versus display names — what's the difference

Your username is what appears in your profile URL and what people use to tag you or search for you. It's the @name that shows up everywhere on Instagram. Your display name (sometimes called your "name") is the text that appears at the top of your profile and in search results, and it can include spaces, emojis, and special characters.

You can change your display name separately from your username. If you want your profile to show "John Smith" but your username to be @jsmith_official, you can do that. The display name is less restricted and can be changed just as easily as your username — it's in the same "Edit Profile" screen, in the field labeled "Name."

What to do if your desired username is taken

If the username you want is already in use, Instagram will show you a message saying it's not available. You have a few options: you can add a number to the end (like @johnsmith42), add an underscore or period (like @john.smith or @john_smith), or choose a completely different username.

If you're trying to reclaim a username you used to have, remember that it's held for 14 days after you change away from it. If it's been longer than 14 days, someone else may have taken it. In that case, you can try contacting Instagram support to explain the situation, though they rarely transfer usernames between accounts.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes, but only within 14 days of changing away from it. After 14 days, your old username becomes available for anyone to claim. If someone else has taken it, you'll need to choose a different username or wait for them to abandon it.

Does changing my username affect my followers or posts?

No. Your followers stay with you, your posts remain on your account, and your follower count doesn't change. The only thing that changes is the @name people use to find and tag you.

How often can I change my username?

Instagram doesn't limit how many times you can change your username or how often you can do it. You can change it as many times as you want with no waiting period between changes.

What if I see someone using a username that looks like mine?

If another account is impersonating you or using a username too similar to yours, you can report it to Instagram. Go to their profile, tap the three dots at the top right, and select "Report." Choose "It's pretending to be someone else" and follow the prompts.

Can I use spaces or special characters in my username?

No. Instagram usernames can only contain letters, numbers, periods, and underscores. Spaces, hyphens, and symbols like @, #, or & are not allowed. If you want spaces in how your name appears, use your display name instead.