What you can change on your Twitter account

Twitter lets you change two different things: your display name (the name that appears above your posts) and your username (the @handle people use to mention you). You can change your display name as often as you want with no restrictions. Your username has limits: you can change it once every 30 days, and you cannot reclaim a username you used before if someone else has taken it in the meantime.

Both changes happen in your account settings and take effect immediately. Changing your display name does not affect your followers, your posts, or links to your profile. Changing your username does affect the link to your profile, so anyone who bookmarked or shared your old @handle will need to update it.

If your account is verified (has a blue checkmark), changing your display name keeps the verification. Changing your username also keeps it, though Twitter may review the change if the new username looks like an attempt to impersonate someone else.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your display name unlimited times, but your username only once every 30 days.
  • Display name changes take effect immediately and do not break your profile link or affect your followers.
  • Username changes affect your profile URL, so anyone linking to your old @handle will need to update it.
  • Both changes happen in Settings and Account, under the "Account information" section.
  • If you change your username, your old @handle becomes available for anyone else to claim after 30 days.

How to change your display name

Open Twitter on web or the mobile app and tap or click the three-dot menu icon in the top left corner. Select "Settings and privacy," then "Settings." Go to "Account" and select "Account information." You will see your current display name in the first field.

Click or tap the display name field and type your new name. Twitter allows up to 50 characters. When you are done, click "Save" or tap outside the field. The change takes effect immediately, and your followers will see your new name the next time they refresh their feed.

You can change your display name back and forth as many times as you want with no waiting period. There is no limit to how many times you can do this in a day or a week.

How to change your username

Go to Settings and Account, then "Account information," just as you would to change your display name. Below the display name field, you will see your username (starting with @). Click or tap the username field to edit it.

Type your new username. Twitter usernames can be 4 to 15 characters long and can include letters, numbers, and underscores. You cannot use spaces or most special characters. If the username you want is already taken, Twitter will tell you immediately and you will need to choose a different one.

Click "Save" when you are done. Your new username takes effect right away. Your old username becomes available for anyone else to claim after 30 days. If you change your mind within those 30 days, you can change back to your old username before someone else takes it — this does not count against your 30-day waiting period.

What happens to your profile link and mentions

When you change your display name, your profile URL stays the same. If someone has a link to twitter.com/@youroldname, it still works and takes them to your profile.

When you change your username, your profile URL changes. The old URL stops working. If you had shared your profile link on a website, in an email, or on another social media platform, that link will no longer work. Anyone who tries to visit your old @handle will see a "user not found" message.

Mentions of your old username in tweets do not automatically update. If someone tagged you as @oldname in a tweet before you changed it, that tag will no longer link to your profile. However, people can still see the text of the old username in the tweet — it just will not be clickable.

Troubleshooting common problems

If you see a message that your username is unavailable, it means someone else has already claimed it. Try a variation: add a number, use an underscore, or shorten it. You can also check if the username exists by searching for it on Twitter — if no account shows up, the name may be reserved by Twitter itself.

If you changed your username and want to change it again, you must wait 30 days from the date of your last change. Twitter counts this from when you saved the change, not from when you started editing. If you are within the 30-day window, the system will tell you how many days you have left to wait.

If you cannot find the Account information section, make sure you are logged in and check that you are using the current version of the Twitter app or a supported web browser. On mobile, swipe left from your home feed to open the menu, then tap your profile picture at the top to access Settings.

Changing your username on a business or verified account

If your account has a blue verification checkmark, you can still change your username following the same steps. Your verification status stays with your account even after the change. However, if your new username appears to impersonate a public figure or brand, Twitter may review the change and ask you to pick something else.

If you manage a business account or brand account, changing your username may confuse your followers if they know you by your old @handle. Consider announcing the change in a tweet or pinning a message to your profile so people know where to find you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get my old username back after someone else takes it?

No. Once your 30-day grace period ends and someone else claims your old username, you cannot reclaim it. Twitter does not reserve old usernames for previous owners. If you want to keep a username, do not let the 30-day window close without changing back to it.

Does changing my username affect my followers or my tweets?

Your followers stay with you when you change your username — they do not have to re-follow you. Your tweets stay on your account and do not disappear. However, any links to your old profile URL will break, and mentions of your old @handle in tweets will no longer be clickable.

What if the username I want has a space or special character in it?

Twitter usernames cannot contain spaces or most special characters. You can use letters (A–Z), numbers (0–9), and underscores only. If you want a name with a space, use an underscore instead, like @my_username.

How long does it take for my new username to show up everywhere?

Your new username takes effect immediately in your settings and on your profile. However, it may take a few minutes to show up in search results and in other people's feeds. If you do not see it update right away, try refreshing your browser or closing and reopening the app.

Can I change my username if I am suspended or locked out of my account?

No. You must have full access to your account to change your username. If your account is locked or suspended, you will need to resolve that issue first by following Twitter's account recovery steps.