How to change your Twitter username
To change your Twitter username, open Twitter on a web browser or mobile app, go to your account settings, select "Account" or "Username," and enter your new handle. Twitter allows you to change your username as often as you want, and the change takes effect immediately. Your old username becomes available for someone else to claim after you release it.
The process is the same whether you use Twitter on desktop, iPhone, or Android. You do not need to verify your email or phone number to make the change, though Twitter may ask you to confirm your password for security reasons.
Key Takeaways
- You can change your Twitter username at any time through your account settings, and the change happens right away.
- Your old username becomes available for other people to use once you change it, so choose carefully if you have built an audience.
- Changing your username does not affect your followers, direct messages, tweets, or account history — everything stays attached to your account.
- Twitter usernames must be between 4 and 15 characters long and can only contain letters, numbers, and underscores.
- If your desired username is already taken, you will see an error message and must choose a different one.
Step-by-step instructions for desktop
Start by logging into Twitter on a web browser. Click the three-dot menu icon in the top left corner of the screen (or look for "More" if you are using an older version). From the dropdown menu, select "Settings and privacy."
In the Settings menu, click "Account" in the left sidebar. Scroll down until you see "Username" and click the edit icon next to it. A text box will appear with your current username highlighted. Delete the old username and type your new one. Twitter will show you in real time whether the username is available — a green checkmark means it is free to use, and a red X means someone else has already claimed it.
Once you have entered a username that is available, click "Save" or "Confirm." Twitter will ask you to re-enter your password to confirm the change. Type your password and click "Confirm" again. Your new username is now active.
Step-by-step instructions for mobile
Open the Twitter app on your phone and tap your profile picture in the top left corner. Select "Settings and privacy" from the menu. Tap "Account," then scroll down and tap "Username."
The current username will appear in a text field. Clear it and type your new username. As you type, Twitter will show whether the name is available. Once you have found one that works, tap "Save" or "Confirm" at the bottom of the screen. You will be asked to enter your password. Type it in and tap "Confirm" to finish.
What happens to your old username
When you change your username, your old one does not stay reserved for you. Twitter releases it back into the pool of available usernames, and anyone else can claim it immediately. This means if you change from @jane_smith to @janesmith, someone could sign up and take @jane_smith within seconds.
If you think you might want your old username back later, consider changing to a temporary username first, then changing again to your final choice. This gives you time to think without losing your original handle to someone else. However, keep in mind that each change is permanent once you confirm it.
Rules for Twitter usernames
Twitter usernames must follow specific rules. Your username must be between 4 and 15 characters long. You can use letters (a–z, A–Z), numbers (0–9), and underscores (_). You cannot use spaces, periods, hyphens, or special characters like @, #, or $.
Usernames are not case-sensitive, meaning @JaneSmith and @janesmith are treated as the same account. Twitter will not let you create a username that is already taken, even if the capitalization is different. If you see an error message saying the username is unavailable, try adding a number or underscore to make it unique.
What stays the same after you change your username
Changing your username does not affect any other part of your account. Your followers remain your followers, your direct messages stay in your inbox, and all your tweets stay posted under your account. People who follow you will still see your tweets in their feed, and you will still see theirs.
Your profile picture, bio, header image, and all other profile information stay exactly as they were. The only thing that changes is the handle people use to mention you or search for you. If someone had bookmarked your profile or saved a link to your account, that link will still work and will redirect to your new username.
If your desired username is taken
If the username you want is already in use, Twitter will show a red X or an error message saying it is unavailable. You have a few options: try a variation by adding a number or underscore (like @janesmith1 or @jane_smith), choose a completely different name, or wait to see if the person using it ever abandons their account.
Twitter does not have a formal process for requesting a username from someone else unless that person is impersonating you or violating Twitter's rules. If you believe someone is using your name to impersonate you, you can report the account to Twitter, but there is no may provide they will take action. In most cases, finding a similar available username is faster than waiting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my username back to what it was before?
Only if no one else has claimed it. Once you change your username, the old one becomes available to anyone. If someone else has taken it, you cannot get it back unless they change their username first. If you want to keep a username, do not release it.
Will my followers see that I changed my username?
Twitter does not send a notification to your followers when you change your username. However, if they visit your profile, they will see the new username. Your tweets will show the new username going forward, but old tweets will not update retroactively.
How long does it take for a username change to go into effect?
The change is immediate. Once you confirm your password and save the new username, it becomes active right away. You can start using the new username to post, and other people can find you by searching for it.
Can I use special characters or spaces in my username?
No. Twitter usernames can only contain letters, numbers, and underscores. Spaces, periods, hyphens, and symbols like @, #, or $ are not allowed. If you want to separate words, use an underscore instead.
What if I forget my password and cannot confirm the change?
You will need to reset your password before you can change your username. Click "Forgot password?" on the Twitter login page, enter your email or phone number, and follow the steps to create a new password. Once you have reset it, you can log back in and change your username.