You can't change your Reddit username once it's created

Reddit does not offer a way to change your username after you've made your account. The name you pick at signup is permanent. If you want a different username, you have to create a new account with the name you want and start over.

This is different from platforms like Twitter or Instagram, where you can change your display name whenever you want. Reddit treats your username as a permanent part of your account identity, similar to how usernames work on older forums.

Key Takeaways

  • Reddit usernames cannot be changed or edited after account creation, so choose carefully when you sign up.
  • If you want a different username, you must create a new Reddit account with your preferred name.
  • Your old account and its history remain under your original username unless you delete the account.
  • You can change your display name (the name shown on your profile) separately from your username, though this doesn't change how you appear in comments and posts.
  • Before creating a new account, consider what you want to keep from your old one, since you cannot transfer karma, saved posts, or subscriptions.

What happens to your old account if you create a new one

When you create a new account, your old account stays active under your original username. All your posts, comments, and karma remain attached to that account. You can keep both accounts active and switch between them, or you can delete your old account if you don't want it anymore.

If you delete your old account, Reddit removes your username from the site, though your posts and comments may still appear in search results or archives for a while. Deleting an account is permanent and cannot be undone, so make sure you've saved anything you want to keep before you do it.

How to create a new account with a different username

Step 1: Go to reddit.com and click "Sign up" in the top right corner. You can also go directly to the signup page at reddit.com/register.

Step 2: Enter your email address. Reddit will send you a confirmation link to this email, so use one you can access right now.

Step 3: Create your new username. This is where you enter the name you actually want. Reddit will tell you immediately if the username is already taken or if it breaks Reddit's rules. Usernames can be 3 to 20 characters long and can include letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores.

Step 4: Create a password. Make it something you haven't used on other accounts. Reddit recommends at least 8 characters.

Step 5: Check the box confirming you're at least 13 years old and agree to Reddit's terms. Then click "Sign up".

Step 6: Check your email for a confirmation link. Click the link to verify your email address. Your new account is now active.

The difference between username and display name

Reddit has two separate name fields that confuse a lot of people. Your username is what you use to log in and what appears before your posts and comments (shown as u/yourname). Your display name is optional text you can add to your profile that shows up when someone visits your profile page.

You can change your display name anytime, but this does not change your username. If your username is u/OldName and you set your display name to "NewName", people will still see u/OldName when you comment or post. Changing your display name is purely cosmetic and only visible on your profile.

To change your display name: go to your profile, click the three dots next to your username, select "Edit profile", and type a new display name in the "Display name" field. This change takes effect immediately.

Things to consider before creating a new account

Your new account starts at zero. You won't have any of your old karma, saved posts, subscriptions, or awards. If you've spent years building up karma or saving useful posts, you'll lose access to all of that on your new account.

Some subreddits have minimum karma or account age requirements before you can post or comment. A brand-new account may be blocked from posting in certain communities until it meets those requirements. This can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks depending on the subreddit.

If you moderate any subreddits or communities, you'll need to handle that before you switch accounts. You can add other moderators to your communities or step down as a moderator, but you can't transfer your moderator status to your new account.

How to delete your old account if you don't want to keep it

Step 1: Log into the account you want to delete. Make sure you're signed in to the old username.

Step 2: Go to your account settings. Click your profile icon in the top right, then select "User settings".

Step 3: Scroll down to "Account" and look for the option that says "Deactivate account" or "Delete account". The exact wording depends on which version of Reddit you're using.

Step 4: Click the delete option and confirm your password. Reddit will ask you to type your password to confirm you really want to delete the account.

Step 5: Select a reason (optional) and click the final confirmation button. Your account is now deleted. This action cannot be undone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reserve a username before I create my account?

No. You can only claim a username by creating an account with it. If you want to make sure a specific username is available, you'll need to sign up with it right away. If someone else has already taken it, you'll have to choose a different name.

Will my old posts disappear if I delete my account?

Your posts and comments will remain visible on Reddit, but they'll show as posted by "[deleted]" instead of your username. The content stays, but your name is removed from it. This happens automatically when you delete your account.

Can I switch between my old and new accounts easily?

Yes. If you keep both accounts active, you can log out and log back in with a different username and password. Reddit also lets you add multiple accounts in your settings so you can switch between them without logging out each time. Go to "Account" in settings and look for "Add account".

What if the username I want is taken?

You'll have to pick a different name. Try adding numbers, underscores, or hyphens to your preferred name. For example, if "John" is taken, you could try "John_1" or "John-2024". You can also check if an inactive account holds the name by visiting u/username to see if that account has any recent activity.

Do I lose my saved posts and subscriptions on a new account?

Yes. Your saved posts, subscribed subreddits, and upvote history are tied to your old account. You'll need to manually subscribe to the same subreddits and re-save posts on your new account. This is one reason some people keep their old accounts even after creating a new one.