You can change your Facebook username in Settings, but the process differs depending on whether you have a custom username already

Facebook lets you set a custom username — the short web address that appears in your profile URL — but you can only change it once every 60 days. If you've never created a custom username, you can set one now. If you already have one, you can change it to something different, but you'll need to wait two months before changing it again. The steps are the same whether you're on desktop or mobile, though the menu locations differ slightly.

Your username is different from your display name. Your display name is what appears above your posts and in your profile header — you can change that as often as you want. Your username is the unique identifier Facebook uses for your profile URL, like facebook.com/yourname. Most people use a variation of their real name, but you can use numbers, periods, and underscores too.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your username once every 60 days, and the change takes effect immediately.
  • Your username appears in your profile URL and is different from your display name, which you can change anytime.
  • On desktop, go to Settings and Privacy > Settings > Personal Information > Username to make the change.
  • On mobile, tap the menu icon, scroll to Settings and Privacy, then follow the same path to Personal Information.
  • If someone else has already claimed the username you want, you'll need to choose a different one.

How to change your username on desktop

Open Facebook in your browser and click the downward-facing arrow in the top right corner of the screen. Select Settings and Privacy, then click Settings. On the left side of the page, you'll see a menu with several options. Click Personal Information.

Look for the Username field. Click the pencil icon next to it to edit. Type your new username in the text box. Facebook will tell you immediately if the username is available or if someone else has already taken it. Once you've entered a username that's available, click Review Change, then confirm by clicking Change Username. The change takes effect right away.

How to change your username on mobile

Open the Facebook app and tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) in the bottom right corner on iPhone or the top right on Android. Scroll down and tap Settings and Privacy, then tap Settings. Scroll down to find Personal Information and tap it.

Tap Username. You'll see your current username with a pencil icon next to it. Tap the pencil to edit. Type your new username and Facebook will show you whether it's available. If it is, tap Review Change and then Change Username to confirm. The change happens immediately on all devices where you're logged in.

What happens if your desired username is taken

If the username you want already belongs to someone else, Facebook won't let you use it. The system will show you a message saying the username isn't available. You'll need to choose a different one. Try adding numbers, periods, or underscores to your preferred name — for example, if "jane.smith" is taken, you might try "jane.smith23" or "jane_smith".

You can also check if a username is available before you try to claim it by visiting facebook.com/username in your browser. If the page shows a profile, that username is taken. If you get a "page not found" error, it may be available, though Facebook reserves some usernames for system use.

The 60-day waiting period between changes

Once you change your username, you cannot change it again for 60 days. This rule applies whether you're changing it for the first time or the tenth time. Facebook enforces this to prevent people from rapidly cycling through usernames or impersonating others. If you try to change your username before 60 days have passed, you'll see a message telling you when you'll be able to change it next.

If you made a mistake and want to change your username immediately, you cannot bypass this waiting period. Your only option is to wait the full 60 days. During that time, your profile will still be accessible through your old username URL, and anyone who has bookmarked or shared your profile link will still be able to find you.

How your username affects your profile URL and searchability

Your username becomes part of your profile URL. If your username is "jane.smith", your profile URL will be facebook.com/jane.smith. This is the link you can share with others to direct them to your profile. When you change your username, your old URL stops working, but Facebook automatically redirects anyone who visits the old link to your new one.

Your username also affects how people search for you on Facebook. If someone types your username into the search bar, your profile will appear in the results. Changing your username doesn't affect your ability to be found by name — people can still search for your display name and find you. However, if someone was using your old username URL as a bookmark or in a message, they'll need to update it to your new username to access that direct link.

Difference between username and display name

Your display name is what appears at the top of your profile and above all your posts and comments. You can change your display name as often as you want with no waiting period. To change it, go to Settings and Privacy > Settings > Personal Information > Name on desktop, or follow the same path on mobile. Type your new name and click or tap Save.

Your username is the unique identifier for your profile URL and can only be changed once every 60 days. Most people use a version of their real name for both, but you don't have to. You could have a display name of "Jane Smith" and a username of "jane.smith23", for example. The display name is what your friends see most often, while the username is what people use when they need to link directly to your profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes, but only after 60 days have passed since you changed it. If you changed your username and regret it, you'll need to wait two months before you can switch back to the old one. During that time, the old username is reserved for you and no one else can claim it.

What characters can I use in my username?

You can use letters, numbers, periods, and underscores in your username. Spaces and special characters like hyphens, commas, or exclamation marks are not allowed. Your username must be between 5 and 50 characters long.

If I change my username, will my friends still be able to find me?

Yes. Your friends can find you by your display name, and any old links to your profile will automatically redirect to your new username. If you've shared your profile link in messages or on other websites, those links will still work — Facebook redirects them behind the scenes.

Can I have the same username as someone else?

No. Each username on Facebook is unique. If someone else has already claimed a username, you cannot use it. You'll need to choose a different variation.

Does changing my username affect my Facebook page or business account?

If you have a Facebook Page for a business or organization, that page has its own separate username. Changing your personal profile username does not change your Page username. You can edit your Page username through the Page Settings in the same way you edit your personal username, and it follows the same 60-day waiting period rule.