How to change your Instagram username

You can change your Instagram username directly in the app or on the web. Open Instagram, go to your profile, tap or click the menu icon (three horizontal lines), select Settings and privacy, then Account, then Username. Type your new username and tap Change username to save it. The change takes effect immediately.

Instagram lets you change your username as often as you want, with no waiting period between changes. You do not need to create a new account or lose your followers, posts, or messages — everything stays attached to your existing profile.

Your username is different from your display name. The username is what appears in your profile URL (instagram.com/yourname) and what people type to find you. The display name is the text that shows above your username on your profile and can include spaces, capital letters, and special characters.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your username from Settings and privacy > Account > Username on any device where you are logged in.
  • Instagram usernames must be between 1 and 30 characters, can only contain letters, numbers, periods, and underscores, and cannot start with a number.
  • If your desired username is taken, you will see an error message and must choose a different one.
  • Changing your username does not affect your followers, posts, stories, or direct messages — your account history stays the same.
  • You can change your username back to a previous one at any time, even if someone else has used it in the meantime.

Username rules and what Instagram will not allow

Instagram has specific rules about what characters and formats your username can use. Your username must be 1 to 30 characters long and can only contain letters (a–z, A–Z), numbers (0–9), periods (.), and underscores (_). Spaces, hyphens, and other punctuation are not allowed.

Your username cannot start with a number. It also cannot be the same as another user's username — if you try to use one that is already taken, Instagram will show a message saying the username is not available and you will need to pick a different one.

Instagram does not allow usernames that impersonate public figures or brands, though the platform does not always catch these at the moment you create them. If Instagram later determines your username violates this rule, they may require you to change it.

What happens to your old username

When you change your username, your old one becomes available for someone else to claim immediately. If you want to keep it, you will need to change back to it before anyone else does. There is no holding period or reservation system.

People who followed you under your old username will still follow you under your new one. Your profile URL changes to reflect your new username, but Instagram automatically redirects the old URL to your new one for a limited time so links do not break right away.

Direct messages, comments, and tags from before the change will still show your old username in the message history itself, but your profile and current posts will display your new username.

Changing your username on mobile versus web

The steps are nearly identical whether you use the Instagram app or the web version. On mobile, tap your profile icon at the bottom right, then tap the menu icon (three lines), then Settings and privacy, then Account, then Username. On the web, click your profile icon at the top right, click Settings, then Account, then Username. Both routes take you to the same change screen.

You must be logged into your own account to change the username. If you are logged out or viewing someone else's profile, you will not see the option to edit.

Troubleshooting username changes that do not work

If you see an error message when you try to save a new username, the most common reason is that the username is already taken. Try a different combination of letters, numbers, periods, or underscores. Instagram will tell you if the username is unavailable.

If the username contains characters Instagram does not allow (like spaces or hyphens), you will see an error. Remove those characters and try again. If you are having trouble with the app, try logging out and back in, or use the web version instead.

If you are locked out of your account or cannot access Settings, you may have a security issue. Go to instagram.com/accounts/login/help/ and follow the steps to recover your account before attempting to change your username.

Changing your display name instead of your username

If you want to change how your name appears on your profile but keep your username the same, you can edit your display name separately. Go to your profile, tap Edit profile, and change the Name field at the top. This field can include spaces, capital letters, and emoji, and does not affect your username or profile URL.

Many people use their display name for a readable version of their name and keep their username as a handle. For example, your username might be "sarah.okonkwo" but your display name could be "Sarah Okonkwo" or "Sarah | Housing Policy".

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my old username again after I change it?

Yes. You can change back to a previous username at any time, even if someone else used it after you. Go to Settings and privacy > Account > Username and type your old username. If no one is currently using it, you can claim it again.

Will my followers see that I changed my username?

Your followers will not receive a notification about the change, but they will see your new username the next time they visit your profile. People who have you saved or bookmarked will still be able to find you because the old URL redirects to your new one.

Can I change my username if my account is restricted or suspended?

If your account is restricted, you may still be able to change your username. If your account is suspended, you cannot make any changes until the suspension is lifted. Contact Instagram through the Help Center if you believe your account was suspended in error.

What if I want a username that someone else has but is not using?

If another user has the username you want, you cannot take it unless they change it or delete their account. Instagram does not have a process to claim inactive usernames. Your only option is to choose a different username.