You can change your Reddit username once every 30 days through your account settings

Reddit lets you change your username, but only once per month. The process takes about two minutes and happens entirely in your account settings — you do not need to contact Reddit support or use any external tool. After you change it, your old username becomes available for other users to claim after 30 days.

The username change feature is built into Reddit's mobile app and desktop site. You will need your current password to confirm the change. Reddit does not notify your followers or friends that you changed your name, so if you want people to know, you will need to tell them separately.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your username once every 30 days by going to User Settings and selecting Change Username.
  • Your new username must be between 3 and 20 characters and can only contain letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores.
  • After you change your username, your old name becomes available for others to use after 30 days have passed.
  • All your posts, comments, and saved content stay attached to your account under your new username.
  • Reddit will not automatically tell your followers or subreddit moderators that you changed your name.

Steps to change your username on desktop

Open Reddit in a web browser and log in to your account. Click your profile icon in the top right corner of the page, then select User Settings from the dropdown menu.

In the Settings page, look for the Account tab on the left side. Scroll down until you see the "Change username" option. Click it, then enter your new username in the text field. Reddit will tell you immediately if the name is already taken or does not meet the character requirements. Once you have chosen an available name, enter your password to confirm the change, then click Change.

The page will refresh and show your new username at the top of your profile. You can verify the change worked by visiting your profile page or checking your account settings again. The old username will remain reserved under your account for 30 days before becoming available to other users.

Steps to change your username on mobile

Open the Reddit app and tap your profile icon at the bottom right of the screen. Tap Settings, then Account.

Scroll down to find "Change username" and tap it. Enter your new username and your password, then tap Change. The app will show you whether the name is available before you confirm. After you tap Change, the app will return to your profile page with your new username displayed.

Rules for your new username

Your username must be between 3 and 20 characters long. You can use letters (uppercase and lowercase), numbers, hyphens, and underscores. You cannot use spaces or special characters like periods, commas, or symbols.

Reddit does not allow usernames that impersonate official Reddit accounts or moderators of large subreddits. If you try to create a username that is too similar to an existing one, Reddit will reject it. Usernames are not case-sensitive — "MyName" and "myname" are treated as the same account. Reddit's system will also reject names that violate its content policy, such as those containing slurs or hateful language.

What happens to your old username

When you change your username, your old name does not disappear immediately. For 30 days, no one else can claim it. After 30 days have passed, your old username becomes available for any other user to register. This grace period gives you time to notify people of your new name and update any external links or references.

All of your posts, comments, saved items, and subreddit subscriptions stay with your account under your new username. People who saw your old username in the past will see your new one if they visit your profile or look at your comment history. Your karma score and account age remain unchanged.

Timing and cooldown between changes

You can only change your username once every 30 days. If you just changed it, you will see a message telling you when you can change it again. The 30-day timer starts from the moment you confirm the change, not from when you first entered the new name.

If you made a mistake or want to change back to a previous name, you will have to wait 30 days from your last change. There is no way to speed up this cooldown or request an exception from Reddit. Plan your username change carefully, since you are locked into it for a month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username back to what it was before?

Only if no one else has claimed it. After 30 days, your old username becomes available to anyone. If someone else registered it, you cannot use it again. You would need to choose a different name.

Will my followers know I changed my username?

Reddit does not send notifications when you change your username. People who follow you will see your new name the next time they visit your profile or see your posts, but they will not receive an alert. If you want them to know, you should tell them directly or post about it.

What if the username I want is taken?

Reddit will show you an error message if the name is already in use. You will need to choose a different name. You can try adding numbers, underscores, or hyphens to make a variation of the name you want.

Do I lose my posts and comments when I change my username?

No. All your posts, comments, saved items, and account history stay with your account. Everything just appears under your new username instead of your old one.

Can I change my username more than once a month?

No. Reddit enforces a 30-day cooldown between username changes. You cannot change it again until 30 days have passed since your last change.