You cannot change your Reddit username after you create it

Reddit does not offer a way to change the username on an existing account. Once you pick a username when you sign up, that name is permanent for that account. If you want a different username, you will need to create a new Reddit account with the name you want.

This is different from some other social platforms. Twitter lets you change your handle. Instagram lets you change your username. Reddit treats the username as a fixed identifier tied to your account history, karma, and saved posts. The company has stated this is by design and has no plans to add a username-change feature.

Key Takeaways

  • Reddit usernames cannot be changed once your account is created, so you will need to create a new account if you want a different name.
  • Your current username stays tied to your account history, karma, and all posts and comments you have made.
  • If you create a new account, you can delete your old account, but your old posts will remain on Reddit under that username unless you delete them individually first.
  • You can change your display name (the name shown on your profile) separately from your username, which may be enough if you just want a different public-facing name.

The difference between username and display name

Reddit has two separate name fields that can cause confusion. Your username is what you log in with and what appears in the URL of your profile — it cannot be changed. Your display name is what shows on your profile page and in comments, and you can change this one.

If you only want to change how your name appears to other users, changing your display name might be enough. Go to your profile, click the three dots next to your username, select "Change display name," and enter a new one. This takes effect immediately and does not affect your login credentials. Other users will see the display name, but your original username still appears in your profile URL and in some contexts.

Creating a new account with a different username

If you want a completely different username, start fresh by signing up for a new Reddit account. Go to reddit.com, click "Sign up," and enter an email address, password, and the username you want. Reddit will tell you immediately if the username is already taken. Usernames can be 3 to 20 characters and can include letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores.

Once your new account is active, you can log in with the new username. You will start with zero karma and no post history. Any communities you were subscribed to on your old account will not automatically transfer — you will need to subscribe to them again on the new account.

What happens to your old account and posts

If you create a new account and stop using the old one, you have two choices. You can leave the old account as-is, which means all your old posts and comments stay on Reddit under that username. You can also delete the account, but this does not delete your posts — it only removes the account login. Your old posts will remain visible on Reddit, now attributed to "[deleted]" instead of your username.

If you want your old posts removed before you abandon the account, you will need to delete them individually. Some users use third-party tools like Shreddit or Reddit Nuke to automate this, though these tools work by overwriting your posts with blank text before deletion, and Reddit's policies on third-party tools change over time. Check the current Reddit terms of service before using any automated deletion tool.

Reasons Reddit does not allow username changes

Reddit's reasoning is that usernames are part of your account identity and history. Your username appears on every post and comment you have ever made, and changing it would make your post history confusing — readers would not know if the person who wrote an old comment is the same person writing today. Karma is also tied to your username, and changing it would break that connection.

This design choice also prevents some forms of abuse. If usernames could be changed, someone could build up a trusted account and then change the name to impersonate another user or hide a history of rule-breaking. By keeping usernames fixed, Reddit makes it harder to hide past behavior.

Planning ahead when you create your Reddit account

Because usernames are permanent, it is worth thinking about what you want before you sign up. Avoid usernames that include your real name, your birth year, or other identifying information you might not want tied to your Reddit activity years from now. Reddit accounts are pseudonymous, and that pseudonym is permanent.

If you are creating an account for a specific purpose — like following a hobby community or a professional interest — pick a username that will still make sense to you in a few years. You cannot change it later, so a joke username you find funny today might feel awkward when you look back at your account in five years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay Reddit to change my username?

No. Reddit does not offer a paid username-change service. The company has stated that usernames are permanent and has no plans to add this feature, regardless of payment.

If I delete my account, can someone else take my old username?

Yes. Once you delete your account, the username becomes available for someone else to use when they sign up. If you want to keep others from using your old username, you can keep the account active without using it, though this does not prevent someone from creating a new account with a similar name.

Will my karma transfer to a new account?

No. Karma is tied to your username and account. When you create a new account, you start with zero karma. Your old account keeps its karma, but you cannot move it to the new account.

Can I change my username on mobile?

No. Reddit does not allow username changes on any platform — desktop, mobile app, or mobile web. The restriction is the same everywhere because it is a permanent account setting.

What if my username violates Reddit's rules?

If your username breaks Reddit's content policy, Reddit's moderators may suspend or ban your account, but they will not change your username. You would need to create a new account with a compliant username. Contact Reddit's support if you believe your account was suspended in error.