You can change your Facebook username once every 60 days through your settings

Your Facebook username is the custom web address people use to find your profile — the part that comes after facebook.com/. It's different from your display name, which is what appears on your posts and comments. To change your username, go to Settings & Privacy, then Settings, then find the Username field under Personal Information. Click Edit, type your new username, and Facebook will check whether it's available. If it is, click Save Changes.

Facebook limits you to one username change every 60 days. If you changed it recently, you'll see a message telling you when you can change it again. You can't reserve a username in advance or hold multiple usernames at once — only one active username per account.

Key Takeaways

  • Your username is the custom web address for your profile (facebook.com/yourname), separate from your display name.
  • You can change your username once every 60 days through Settings & Privacy > Settings > Personal Information > Username.
  • Facebook checks availability instantly when you type a new username and shows you whether it's taken.
  • If someone else has already claimed the username you want, you'll need to choose a different one — there's no waitlist or reservation system.

Where to find the username setting

Open Facebook and click the downward arrow in the top right corner of your screen. Select Settings & Privacy, then Settings. On the left side, you'll see a menu with different sections. Click Personal Information to expand it.

Under Personal Information, look for the Username field. It will show your current username with an Edit button next to it. Click that Edit button to open the change screen. If you don't see a Username field, your account may not have one set up yet — in that case, you can create one by clicking Add Username in that same section.

Choosing and checking availability

When you click Edit next to your username, a text box appears where you can type a new one. Facebook usernames can include letters, numbers, periods, and underscores. They must be at least five characters long. You can't use spaces or special characters like hyphens or exclamation marks.

As you type, Facebook shows you in real time whether the username is available. A green checkmark means it's free to use. A red X means someone else has already claimed it. If the one you want is taken, try adding numbers, a period, or an underscore to make it unique. Once you find one that's available and you like it, click Save Changes to confirm.

What happens after you change it

Your new username takes effect immediately. The old web address stops working, and anyone who tries to visit your old profile link will see an error. Your display name doesn't change — that's still whatever you set it to in your name field. People who have you as a friend will still see you the same way in their feed and messages.

If you shared your old username link anywhere — in an email, on another website, in a message — those links will no longer work. You may want to update any places where you've posted your Facebook profile link. Your new username is the one people should use going forward.

The 60-day waiting period explained

After you change your username, you have to wait 60 days before you can change it again. This limit applies whether you're changing it to something completely new or trying to switch back to an old username you used before. Facebook enforces this rule across all accounts with no exceptions.

If you made a mistake or changed your mind, you're stuck with the new username for two months. Plan your change carefully, and make sure you're happy with it before you click Save. If you need to change it sooner for security reasons — for example, if your account was compromised — contact Facebook through their Help Center to see if they can make an exception.

Usernames versus display names

Many people confuse these two, but they serve different purposes. Your display name is what appears on your profile and next to your posts and comments. You can change it as often as you want with no waiting period. Your username is the custom web address — facebook.com/yourname — and it's limited to one change every 60 days.

If you want to change how your name appears to friends without waiting 60 days, change your display name instead. Go to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Personal Information > Name, click Edit, and type the new name you want to use. That takes effect right away. Your username stays the same, but people see your new display name everywhere on the platform.

Troubleshooting common problems

If you see a message saying you can't change your username yet, you've already made a change within the last 60 days. The message will tell you the exact date when you'll be able to change it again. There's no way around this — you have to wait the full 60 days.

If the username you want shows as unavailable but you don't see anyone using it, it may be reserved by Facebook or held by an inactive account. Try a variation with numbers or punctuation instead. If you're having trouble accessing the Username field at all, make sure you're logged into the right account and that you're using the current version of Facebook (not an old cached version in your browser). Try clearing your browser cache or logging out and back in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username more than once every 60 days?

No. Facebook enforces a strict 60-day waiting period between username changes. This applies to all accounts with no exceptions, even if you're changing it back to a previous username. Plan your change carefully before you save it.

What if someone took the username I want?

You'll need to choose a different one. Facebook doesn't have a waitlist or reservation system for usernames. Try adding numbers, a period, or an underscore to create a variation. For example, if "jane.smith" is taken, try "jane.smith1" or "jane_smith".

Will my friends still be able to find me after I change my username?

Yes. Your friends can still find you by searching your display name or by looking at your profile directly. The old username link won't work, but your account itself doesn't disappear. If you want to tell people about your new username, you can share it in a post or message.

Can I have multiple usernames on one account?

No. Each Facebook account has only one active username at a time. When you change it, the old one becomes unavailable and someone else could claim it later. You can't hold or reserve multiple usernames.

Is my username the same as my email address?

No. Your username is the custom web address for your profile. Your email address is what you use to log in. They're completely separate. You can change your username without changing your email, and vice versa.