Where to find the username setting in Discord

Your username setting lives in Discord's user settings menu, not in your profile. Open Discord on desktop or mobile, click or tap your profile picture in the bottom left corner (desktop) or top right corner (mobile), then select User Settings. From there, go to Account in the left sidebar. The username field is at the top of that page.

On mobile, the path is slightly different: tap your profile picture, then Account, then look for the username field. The process is the same once you locate it — you can edit the field directly and save your changes.

Key Takeaways

  • Your username is found in User Settings under Account, not in your profile section.
  • You can change your username as often as you want, with no cooldown between changes.
  • Changing your username does not affect your Discord tag (the four-digit number after your name) or your account history.
  • Other users will see your new username immediately; Discord does not notify them of the change.
  • If you see a username field labeled "Display Name" instead, that is a separate feature that only shows to people in servers where you have set it.

The difference between username and display name

Discord has two name fields, and they do different things. Your username is your account-wide name — it appears in direct messages, in your profile, and everywhere else on Discord. Your display name is optional and server-specific. You can set a different display name in each server, and only members of that server see it.

If you want to change how you appear everywhere on Discord, change your username. If you only want to change how you appear in one or a few servers, use the display name feature instead. To set a display name in a specific server, right-click your own name in the server's member list, select Edit Server Profile, and enter a display name there.

What happens to your old username

When you change your username, Discord releases your old name back into the pool of available usernames. This means someone else can claim it after you change it. If you think you might want that username back later, consider whether you should keep it instead.

Your Discord tag — the four-digit number that appears after your username — stays the same no matter how many times you change your username. Friends who have added you will still be able to find you by that tag even if you change your name multiple times. Your account history, friend list, and server memberships do not change.

Usernames that Discord will not let you use

Discord blocks certain usernames for safety and policy reasons. You cannot use a username that impersonates Discord staff, contains hateful language, or violates Discord's Terms of Service. You also cannot use certain reserved names that Discord keeps for itself.

If you try to save a username and Discord rejects it without explanation, the name likely violates one of these policies. Try a different variation. Discord will show you an error message if the username is already taken by someone else, which is different from a policy rejection.

Changing your username on mobile versus desktop

The steps are nearly identical on mobile and desktop, but the button locations differ slightly. On desktop, your profile picture is in the bottom left corner of the Discord window. On mobile, it is in the top right corner of the app. Once you open User Settings and navigate to Account, the username field works the same way on both platforms.

After you type your new username, look for a Save or Done button. On desktop it usually appears at the bottom of the Account page. On mobile it may appear as a checkmark or button at the top or bottom of the screen depending on your device. The change takes effect immediately after you save.

If your username change does not save

If you type a new username and it will not save, Discord is likely rejecting it for one of three reasons: the name is already taken, the name violates Discord's policies, or there is a temporary connection issue. Try refreshing Discord or closing and reopening the app. If the problem persists, try a different username to see if the issue is with that specific name or with your account.

If you cannot change your username at all and refreshing does not help, log out completely and log back in. On desktop, you can do this by clicking your profile picture, scrolling to the bottom of User Settings, and selecting Log Out. On mobile, the logout option is usually at the bottom of the settings menu. After logging back in, try changing your username again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username back to one I used before?

Only if no one else has claimed it in the meantime. When you change your username, Discord releases the old one immediately. If you want to reclaim an old username, try changing to it right away. If someone else has already taken it, you will need to choose a different name.

Does changing my username affect my friends' ability to find me?

No. Your Discord tag (the four-digit number) never changes, and that is what matters for finding you. Friends who have you added will still see you in their friends list under your new username. They can also still message you directly.

Will servers I am in be notified when I change my username?

Discord does not send a notification to servers when you change your username. Members will see your new name the next time they look at the member list or see a message from you, but there is no announcement or alert about the change.

Can I use special characters or spaces in my username?

Discord usernames can include letters, numbers, underscores, hyphens, and periods. You cannot use spaces or most special characters. If you try to use a character Discord does not allow, the save button will not work or you will see an error message.

What is the character limit for a Discord username?

Discord usernames can be between 2 and 32 characters long. If your desired name is too short or too long, Discord will reject it. The character count includes letters, numbers, and any allowed symbols like underscores or hyphens.