How to change your Twitter handle

You can change your Twitter handle (the @username that appears in your profile) directly from your account settings on any device. The process takes about two minutes and doesn't affect your followers, tweets, or account history — they all stay with you under your new handle. Twitter lets you change it as often as you want, though there's a short waiting period between changes if you switch back and forth rapidly.

Your handle is different from your display name. The display name is what appears at the top of your profile and in conversations; you can change that anytime without restriction. The handle is the unique @username used in URLs and mentions, and that's what this article covers.

Key Takeaways

  • Change your handle through Settings and Privacy > Account > Account Information > Username on any device.
  • Your new handle must be between 4 and 15 characters, contain only letters, numbers, and underscores, and not already be taken by another account.
  • All your existing followers, tweets, and direct messages stay with you when you change your handle.
  • If you switch handles multiple times in a short period, Twitter may temporarily prevent further changes to prevent abuse.

Steps to change your handle on desktop

Open Twitter in a web browser and log in to your account. Click the three-dot menu icon in the left sidebar (or the "More" option if you're using the older interface) and select Settings and Privacy.

From the Settings menu, click Account in the left column. Then click Account Information. You'll see your current username listed next to an edit icon. Click the edit button next to your username field.

Type your new handle into the text box. Twitter will show you immediately whether the handle is available — a green checkmark means it's free to use, and a red X means someone else has it. Once you've entered a handle that's available, click Save. Your new handle takes effect right away.

Steps to change your handle on mobile

Open the Twitter app and tap your profile picture in the top left corner. Select Settings and Privacy from the menu that appears.

Tap Account, then Account Information. You'll see your username with an edit icon next to it. Tap the edit button, then type your new handle into the field. Twitter shows availability in real time as you type.

Once you've found an available handle you want, tap Save. The change is immediate, and you'll be returned to your profile.

Rules for choosing a new handle

Your handle must be between 4 and 15 characters long. It can contain letters (A–Z, a–z), numbers (0–9), and underscores (_), but no spaces, hyphens, or special characters like periods or @ symbols. Twitter is case-insensitive for handles, so @JohnSmith and @johnsmith are treated as the same account.

The handle you choose cannot already be in use by another account. If you see a handle you want but it's taken, you can't use it — there's no waiting list or reservation system. Some handles belong to inactive or suspended accounts; those remain unavailable even if the account hasn't posted in years.

You cannot use a handle that impersonates a public figure or brand in a way designed to deceive. Twitter's rules on this are enforced if someone reports the account, not automatically, so a confusing handle might work initially but could result in suspension later.

What happens to your old handle

When you change your handle, your old one becomes available for anyone else to claim after a short period. If you want to protect it, you can create a second account and claim the old handle there, or you can simply accept that someone else may use it later. There's no way to permanently reserve a handle you're no longer using.

All links to your old handle stop working. If you had a Twitter URL like twitter.com/@oldhandle in your email signature or on a website, that link will no longer point to your profile. Update those links to your new handle to avoid confusion.

If you can't change your handle

If Twitter won't let you change your handle, the most common reason is that you've changed it too many times recently. Twitter temporarily locks the handle-change feature if you switch handles multiple times within a short window — this is an anti-abuse measure. Wait a few hours or a day, then try again.

Another reason might be that your account is new or has been flagged for suspicious activity. New accounts sometimes have restrictions on certain features for the first few days. If your account is older and you still can't change your handle after waiting, check Twitter's Help Center or contact Twitter Support through your account settings.

If the handle you want is taken, there's no workaround — you'll need to choose a different one. Some people add numbers or underscores to make a variation of their preferred handle available (for example, @username_1 or @username_official).

How your followers and content are affected

Your followers don't go anywhere when you change your handle. Everyone who followed @oldhandle automatically follows @newhandle. They'll see a notification that you've changed your username, and your profile will update across all their feeds.

All your tweets, retweets, likes, and direct messages stay exactly where they are. The only thing that changes is the @mention that appears next to your name. Old tweets that mention your previous handle won't automatically update to show your new one, but they'll still link to your current profile if someone clicks on them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get my old handle back if I change my mind?

Not immediately. Once you change your handle, the old one becomes available for others to claim. If no one has taken it yet, you can change back to it right away. If someone else has claimed it, you'd need to contact that person to ask them to release it — Twitter won't force them to give it up.

Will my Twitter URL change when I change my handle?

Yes. Your profile URL changes from twitter.com/@oldhandle to twitter.com/@newhandle. Any links you've shared pointing to your old URL will no longer work. Update your website, email signature, and social media bios to reflect your new handle.

Can I change my handle if my account is suspended?

No. You can't access account settings while your account is suspended. If your account is later reinstated, you'll be able to change your handle at that time.

Is there a limit to how many times I can change my handle?

You can change your handle as many times as you want, but Twitter may temporarily prevent changes if you switch too frequently in a short period. This is to prevent abuse. Wait several hours or a day before trying again if you hit this limit.

What if someone took my old handle right after I changed it?

Twitter doesn't reserve old handles for previous owners. If someone claimed it, you'd need to reach out to them directly and ask if they'll release it. They're under no obligation to do so. Consider adding numbers or a descriptor to create a new variation if your original handle is important to your brand.