What you can change and what you cannot

Facebook lets you change your page's username (the short web address) and your display name (what appears at the top of your page), but these are different things with different rules. Your username becomes part of your page URL — for example, facebook.com/yourpagename — and you can change it once every 30 days. Your display name can change as often as you want, but it does not affect your URL.

If you have never set a username, Facebook may have assigned you a default one made of numbers and letters. You can replace this with something shorter and more memorable. If you already have a username you chose, you can change it to something else, but you must wait 30 days after your last change before changing it again.

Your page must have at least 25 followers before you can set or change a username. If your page is newer or smaller than that, you will need to build your audience first.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your page username once every 30 days, and it must be between 5 and 50 characters long.
  • Your page needs at least 25 followers before Facebook lets you set or change a username.
  • The username becomes your page URL, so choose something that matches your brand or business name.
  • Changing your display name does not change your URL and can be done as many times as you want.

How to change your page username

Go to your Facebook page and click the Settings button in the top right corner. From the menu that opens, select Settings and privacy, then Settings. On the left side, you will see a menu with different options — click Page info.

In the Page info section, look for the field labeled Username. Click the pencil icon next to it to edit. Type your new username into the box. Facebook will check whether it is available as you type. The username must be between 5 and 50 characters and can include letters, numbers, periods, and underscores. Spaces and special characters like hyphens are not allowed.

Once you have entered a username that is available, click Review and then Save changes. Your new username takes effect immediately, and your page URL updates to reflect it. If you try to change it again within 30 days, Facebook will show you a message saying when you can make your next change.

How to change your page display name

Your display name is the large text at the top of your page that people see first. To change it, go to your page and click Settings in the top right. Select Settings and privacy, then Settings, and click Page info on the left menu.

Find the field labeled Page name and click the pencil icon next to it. Type your new name and click Save. Unlike your username, you can change your display name as many times as you want, and there is no waiting period. However, Facebook does monitor display names for spam or misleading content, so avoid using all capital letters, excessive punctuation, or numbers that look like they are trying to impersonate a verified account.

What happens to your old URL

When you change your username, your old URL stops working. Anyone who tries to visit your old page address will see an error or be redirected to your new one, depending on how much time has passed. Facebook keeps the redirect active for a while, but it is not permanent.

If you have shared your old URL in other places — on your website, in email signatures, on other social media — you should update those links to your new username. This prevents confusion and makes sure people land on the right page. If you have a business or brand page, changing your username can affect how people find you, so think carefully before making the change.

Choosing a username that works for your business

Your username should be short, easy to spell, and match your business name or brand whenever possible. Avoid numbers and underscores if you can, because people often misremember them or do not know how to type them. If your exact business name is taken, try adding a location, a descriptor, or a number that makes sense — for example, "YourBusiness2024" or "YourBusinessNY".

Before you change your username, search Facebook to see if anyone else is using something similar. This helps you avoid confusion and makes sure your page stands out. Once you have chosen a username, test it by visiting the URL in a new browser tab to make sure it works and leads to your page.

Troubleshooting common problems

If you see a message saying your page does not have enough followers, you need to reach 25 followers before you can set a username. Share your page with friends, family, and colleagues to build your audience. Once you hit 25 followers, the username option will become available in your Page info settings.

If the username you want is already taken, Facebook will tell you it is unavailable. Try variations — add your location, a number, or a descriptor. If you recently changed your username and want to change it again, Facebook will show you the exact date when you can make your next change. You cannot bypass this 30-day waiting period.

If your page URL is not updating after you save a new username, wait a few minutes and refresh your browser. Sometimes the change takes a moment to appear across Facebook's servers. If it still does not work after an hour, try logging out and logging back in.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes, but you still have to wait 30 days between changes. If you changed your username and want to go back to the old one, you will need to wait until the 30-day period is over. After that, you can change it to your previous username or anything else that is available.

Does changing my username affect my followers or page history?

No. Your followers stay on your page, your posts remain, and your page history is unchanged. Only the URL changes. People who follow you will still see your content in their feed, and your page insights and data stay the same.

What if I have a verified badge on my page?

You can still change your username, and your verified badge stays with your page. The badge is tied to your page itself, not to the username, so changing the URL does not affect your verification status.

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

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

How long does it take for my new username to work everywhere on Facebook?

Your new username takes effect immediately on your page and in your page URL. However, it may take a few minutes to update across Facebook's search results and other parts of the platform. If someone searches for your old username, they may still see your page for a short time before the old URL is fully removed from search.