Yes, you can change your Reddit username, but only once every 30 days

Reddit lets you change your username through your account settings. The process takes about two minutes. However, Reddit enforces a 30-day waiting period between changes — once you change your username, you cannot change it again for at least 30 days. This rule applies whether you are changing from your original username or from a previous change.

Your old username does not disappear from Reddit's servers. Posts and comments you made under your previous username stay attached to that old name in public view. Other users can still see your old username in your post history and in comment threads. The change only affects what name appears on your account going forward.

Key Takeaways

  • You change your username in Account Settings under the "Username" section, not through your profile page.
  • Reddit enforces a 30-day cooldown between username changes, so plan ahead if you want to change again later.
  • Your old username remains visible on all your past posts and comments — changing your username does not erase your history.
  • You cannot reserve a username or change it to one that is already taken by another active account.
  • Changing your username does not affect your saved posts, subscribed communities, or any other account data.

Step-by-step: changing your username on Reddit

Start by logging into your Reddit account on a web browser. Mobile apps do not allow username changes, so you must use reddit.com or the desktop version. 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. Under the Account section, you will see a field labeled "Username" with your current name displayed. Click the "Change" button next to your username. A text box will appear where you can type your new username.

Enter your new username and click "Change Username" to confirm. Reddit will tell you when ready if the name is already taken or if it violates Reddit's username rules. If the change succeeds, you will see a confirmation message. Your new username takes effect right away across your entire account.

Reddit's rules for usernames

Reddit usernames must be between 3 and 20 characters long. You can use letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores. Spaces are not allowed. Usernames are not case-sensitive — Reddit treats "MyName" and "myname" as the same account, so you cannot create a new account with a different capitalization of your current name.

You cannot use a username that is already taken by another account, even if that account is inactive or deleted. Reddit does not release old usernames back into circulation. If you want a specific name and it is taken, your only option is to choose a different name.

Usernames that violate Reddit's content policy — such as those promoting hate, violence, or illegal activity — will be rejected during the change process. Reddit's system checks new usernames against these rules automatically.

What happens to your old username

When you change your username, Reddit does not delete or reassign your old name. Your old username remains permanently attached to all your past posts and comments. Anyone reading a thread you participated in months or years ago will still see your old username on those comments.

Your profile page will display your new username, but your post history shows the progression of names you have used. If someone clicks on an old comment you made, they can see which username you were using at that time. This is by design — Reddit keeps the historical record intact.

You cannot reclaim your old username after changing it. If you change from "OldName" to "NewName," no one can ever use "OldName" again, and you cannot switch back to it later. Choose your new username carefully because this change is permanent in that sense.

The 30-day waiting period explained

After you change your username, Reddit locks your account from making another change for 30 days. This timer starts the moment your change takes effect. If you change your username on January 15th, you cannot change it again until February 14th at the earliest.

The 30-day rule applies to every change, not just your first one. If you have changed your username multiple times in the past, the cooldown still applies each time. There is no way to bypass or shorten this waiting period — it is a hard limit built into Reddit's system.

If you try to change your username before the 30 days have passed, Reddit will show you an error message telling you when you will be able to change again. Plan your username changes in advance if you think you might want to change multiple times.

Reasons your username change might fail

The most common reason a change fails is that the username you chose is already taken. Reddit checks this when ready when you submit your new name. If you see an error saying the name is unavailable, try a different variation — add a number, use an underscore, or choose a completely different name.

Your new username might be rejected if it violates Reddit's content policy. Usernames that include slurs, promote violence, or reference illegal activity will be blocked. Reddit's automated system checks this, so you will know when ready if your chosen name is not allowed.

If you are trying to change your username on the Reddit mobile app, the feature is not available there. You must use a web browser. Some older accounts or accounts with certain restrictions may also be unable to change usernames, though this is rare.

How username changes affect your account and communities

Changing your username does not affect your subscriptions, saved posts, or any other account data. All your saved content, upvote history, and community memberships stay exactly the same. You will still be a moderator of any communities you moderate, and your permissions do not change.

Communities you have been banned from will still have you banned under your new username. The ban is tied to your account, not your username. Similarly, if you have been muted by a community's moderators, that mute carries over to your new username.

Other users cannot search for your old username to find your account. If someone knows only your old username, they will not be able to find you by searching for it. However, if they know your account exists, they can still find your posts and comments by looking at the old username displayed on those posts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username on the Reddit mobile app?

No. Reddit only allows username changes through the web version at reddit.com. Open Reddit in your phone's web browser, log in, and follow the steps in Account Settings. You cannot make this change through the official Reddit mobile app.

What if someone else takes my old username after I change mine?

This cannot happen. Reddit does not release old usernames back into circulation. Your old username remains permanently associated with your account and cannot be used by anyone else, even if your account becomes inactive.

Will my posts show my new username or my old username?

Your old posts will continue to display the username you were using when you made them. Only new posts and comments will show your new username. This means your post history will show a mix of old and new usernames depending on when each post was made.

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

No. Once you change away from a username, you cannot use it again. Reddit does not allow users to reclaim old usernames. If you want to use a previous name again, you would need to create a new account, but that name may already be taken by your old account.

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

Your new username takes effect when ready on your profile and on any new posts or comments you make. However, it may take a few minutes to appear in some places like search results or community member lists due to Reddit's servers updating across different systems.