You can change the name on your Instagram profile in the app or on the web, and it takes about two minutes
Instagram lets you change the name that appears on your profile whenever you want. This is the display name people see when they visit your account — not your username (the handle with the @ symbol). You can update it from your phone, tablet, or computer, and the change takes effect right away. There is no limit to how many times you can change it, and you do not need Instagram's permission.
The steps are the same whether you use the mobile app or a web browser. You will go to your profile, tap or click "Edit profile," find the name field, type in what you want, and save. If you want to change your username instead, that process is slightly different and has a few more restrictions.
Key Takeaways
- Your display name (what people see on your profile) can be changed when ready and as often as you want from the Edit Profile section.
- Your username (the @handle) can only be changed once every 14 days and must be between 3 and 30 characters long.
- Display names can include spaces, capital letters, and special characters, but usernames cannot.
- If you change your name and then want to change it back, you can do so when ready — there is no waiting period.
How to change your display name on mobile
Open Instagram and go to your profile by tapping the person icon at the bottom right. Tap "Edit profile" near the top of the screen. The first field is your name — tap it and delete what is there, then type the new name you want. You can use spaces, capital letters, numbers, and punctuation marks like hyphens or periods.
When you are done typing, scroll down and tap "Done" or "Save" (the button name varies by phone type). Your new name appears on your profile when ready. Anyone who visits your account will see the updated name right away, and you will not lose any followers or posts.
How to change your display name on a computer
Go to Instagram.com and log in. Click your profile picture in the top right corner, then click "Profile." Click the "Edit profile" button. The name field is at the top — click in it, clear the old text, and type your new name. You can use the same characters as on mobile: spaces, capitals, numbers, and punctuation.
Scroll down and click "Submit" to save. The change appears on your profile within seconds. If you are using a browser on a tablet, the steps are the same as on a computer.
The difference between your name and your username
Your display name is what appears at the top of your profile and in search results. It can have spaces, capital letters, and special characters. You can change it as often as you want with no waiting period. Instagram does not restrict what you put there, though they may remove it if it violates their community guidelines (for example, if it contains hate speech).
Your username is the @handle that comes after instagram.com/ in your profile link. It can only contain letters, numbers, periods, and underscores — no spaces or capital letters. You can only change it once every 14 days. If you try to change it before 14 days have passed, Instagram will tell you when you can change it again. Usernames must be between 3 and 30 characters long, and if someone else has already taken the one you want, you cannot use it.
Most people change their display name when they want a quick update — like adding a nickname, emoji, or location. They change their username only when they want a new @handle, which is less common because it affects the link to their profile.
What happens when you change your name
When you change your display name, nothing else on your account changes. Your posts stay where they are, your follower count does not move, and people who follow you will still see your content in their feed. Your direct messages remain open, and anyone who has your profile link can still find you.
If you change your username, the link to your profile changes too. Anyone trying to visit your old username will see a "User Not Found" message. For this reason, if you have shared your Instagram link anywhere — in a bio, on another website, or in messages — you may want to update those links after changing your username. People who follow you will still be able to find you because they follow your account, not your username.
If you cannot find the Edit Profile button
If you are looking at someone else's profile, you will see a "Follow" button instead of "Edit profile." Make sure you are on your own profile — tap the person icon at the bottom right on mobile, or click your profile picture in the top right on a computer.
If you are on your own profile and still do not see "Edit profile," try logging out and logging back in. If that does not work, make sure your Instagram app is up to date. On iPhone, open the App Store and check for updates. On Android, open the Google Play Store and check for updates. If you are using a web browser, try a different browser or clear your cache.
Changing your name back or changing it again
You can change your display name back to what it was before, or to something completely different, at any time. There is no waiting period and no limit to how many times you can do it. If you change your mind five minutes after updating your name, you can change it right back.
If you change your username and then want to change it again, you have to wait 14 days from the date of your last change. Instagram counts the days from when you made the change, not from when you tried to make another one. So if you changed your username on Monday, you can change it again on Monday of the following week.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use special characters or emojis in my display name?
Yes. Your display name can include spaces, capital letters, numbers, periods, hyphens, underscores, and emojis. Your username cannot — it can only have letters, numbers, periods, and underscores, with no spaces or capitals.
Will changing my name affect my followers or my posts?
No. Your follower count stays the same, all your posts remain on your account, and people who follow you will still see your content. Changing your username does change your profile link, but followers can still find you because they follow your account, not your username.
What if the name I want is already taken?
Display names can be the same as someone else's, so you can use any name you want. Usernames must be unique — if someone else has the username you want, Instagram will not let you use it. You will have to pick a different one.
How long does it take for my new name to show up?
Your new display name appears on your profile within seconds. Your new username also takes effect right away, but the old username will show as "User Not Found" if anyone tries to visit it.
Can Instagram force me to change my name?
Instagram can remove your display name if it violates their community guidelines — for example, if it contains hate speech, impersonates someone, or is used to spam. If this happens, you will see a message explaining why. You can then change your name to something that follows the guidelines.