You can change your Reddit username, but only once every 30 days

Reddit lets you change your username through your account settings. The process takes about two minutes. However, there is a hard limit: you can change your username only once every 30 days, and you cannot revert to a previous username after you change it. If you created your account with a username you now regret, or you want a fresh start, changing it is straightforward — but you should think through what you want your new name to be before you start, because you cannot undo the change for a month.

Your post and comment history stays attached to your account and your new username. Anyone who visits your profile will see all your posts and comments under your new name. However, on old posts and comments you made before the change, your old username will still appear in the comment thread itself — Reddit does not retroactively update the username on past content.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your Reddit username once every 30 days through Account Settings, and the change takes effect immediately.
  • Your old username becomes available for other users to claim as soon as you change it, so you cannot switch back to it later.
  • Changing your username does not affect your post history, karma, or saved content — all of that stays tied to your account.
  • If you have not set a username yet (you created an account with an email only), you can set one for the first time without waiting 30 days.
  • Reddit does not notify other users that you changed your username, so your comment history will still show your old name on old posts.

How to change your username on desktop

Open Reddit in a web browser and log in. Click your profile icon in the top right corner, then select User Settings from the dropdown menu. On the left side of the settings page, click Account. You will see a field labeled Username with your current name displayed.

Click the Change button next to your username. A dialog box will appear asking you to enter your new username and your password to confirm the change. Type your new username (Reddit usernames can be 3 to 20 characters, letters and numbers only, no spaces or special characters except underscores and hyphens). Enter your password, then click Change. The change takes effect immediately, and you will see your new username in the top right corner.

How to change your username on mobile

Open the Reddit app and tap your profile icon at the bottom right. Tap Settings (the gear icon). Scroll down and tap Account. Tap Username. You will see your current username with a Change button next to it.

Tap Change, then enter your new username and your password. Tap Change again to confirm. The change takes effect right away. If you are using the mobile web version instead of the app, follow the same steps as the desktop version above.

What happens to your old username and post history

When you change your username, your old name becomes available for any other Reddit user to claim immediately. You cannot reserve it or get it back after 30 days — once it is gone, it is gone. This is different from some other platforms that hold usernames for a period of time.

Someone reading an old thread will see your old name in the comments, but if they click on it, they will either see a "user not found" message or land on whatever new account claimed your old username. Your profile, however, will show all your posts and comments under your new name, so anyone visiting your account page will see the current username.

The 30-day waiting period between changes

After you change your username, you must wait 30 days before you can change it again. This timer starts the moment you confirm the change. If you try to change your username before 30 days have passed, Reddit will show you a message saying when you will be able to change it next.

The only exception is if your account has never had a username set. Some Reddit accounts are created with just an email address and no username. If that is your situation, you can set a username for the first time without waiting 30 days. After that first username is set, the 30-day rule applies to any future changes.

Choosing a username you will not regret

Because you cannot change your username for 30 days after each change, and your old username is gone forever once you change it, spend a moment thinking about what you want before you click the button. Reddit usernames are public and visible on every post and comment you make. They also appear in your profile URL, so if you share your profile with someone, your username is part of that link.

Keep in mind that your username is separate from your display name. Some subreddits let you set a custom display name that appears next to your posts in that community only, while your actual username stays the same everywhere else. If you want to change how you appear in a specific subreddit, you may be able to do that without changing your account username.

What does not change when you change your username

Your karma, awards, saved posts, subscribed subreddits, and all your account settings stay exactly the same. Changing your username is purely cosmetic — it does not affect anything about how your account works or what you have saved. Your email address, password, and two-factor authentication settings do not change either.

If you have a custom avatar or profile banner, those stay with your account. If you have written a profile bio, that stays too. The only thing that changes is the name that appears next to your posts and comments going forward.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get my old username back after I change it?

No. Once you change your username, the old one becomes available for anyone else to claim, and you cannot reclaim it. If you think you might want to use that username again, do not change it yet. The 30-day waiting period is between changes, not a grace period to undo.

What if my new username is already taken?

Reddit will tell you the username is unavailable before you confirm the change. You will need to choose a different one. Usernames are first-come, first-served, so if someone else has the name you want, you cannot use it unless they delete their account or change their username.

Will people know I changed my username?

Reddit does not send notifications to other users when you change your username. However, people who know your old username might notice the change if they try to visit your profile or look for your comments. Your old username will show "user not found" or will belong to someone else if they claimed it.

Can I change my username if I created my account with just an email?

Yes. If you never set a username when you created your account, you can set one for the first time without waiting 30 days. After you set that first username, the 30-day waiting period applies to any future changes.

Does changing my username affect my karma or awards?

No. Your karma, awards, trophies, and all your account history stay attached to your account. Only the name displayed next to your content changes.