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

Reddit lets you change the username on your account, 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 unless something goes wrong. Your old username becomes available for other users to claim after you change it.

The username change feature is built into Reddit's settings on both desktop and mobile. Once you change your name, your post and comment history stays attached to your new username. Other users cannot see what your old username was unless you tell them.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your Reddit username once every 30 days by going to User Settings and selecting Change Username.
  • Your new username must be between 3 and 20 characters long and can contain letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores.
  • All your posts and comments move to your new username automatically — you do not lose any history.
  • Your old username becomes available for other people to use as soon as you change it.

How to change your username on desktop

Open Reddit in a web browser and log into your account. Click your profile icon in the top right corner of the page — it looks like a small circle with your current username next to it. A dropdown menu will appear with several options.

Select User Settings from the dropdown. On the left side of the settings page, you will see a menu with different categories. Click Account to open your account settings. Scroll down until you find the Username section — it will show your current username and a button labeled Change next to it.

Click the Change button. A popup window will appear asking you to enter your new username and your password to confirm the change. Type your new username in the first field and your Reddit password in the second field, then click Change Username. The page will refresh and show your new username in the settings.

How to change your username on mobile

Open the Reddit app and tap your profile icon at the bottom right of the screen. This takes you to your profile page. Tap the three horizontal lines (called a hamburger menu) in the top right corner of your profile.

Scroll down and tap Settings. Tap Account to open your account settings. Scroll down to find the Username section. Tap Change Username and enter your new username and password in the fields that appear. Tap Change Username again to confirm.

Rules for your new username

Your new username must be between 3 and 20 characters long. You can use uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores. Reddit does not allow spaces or special characters like periods, commas, or symbols.

The username you choose must not already be taken by another user. If you try to use a name that exists, Reddit will tell you the name is unavailable and ask you to pick a different one. Usernames are not case-sensitive on Reddit — JohnSmith and johnsmith are treated as the same name.

What happens to your old username

Your old username becomes available for other Reddit users to claim when ready after you change it. If you want to keep that name from being used by someone else, you cannot — Reddit does not hold old usernames. If you change your mind about your new username, you can change it again, but you will have to wait 30 days from your last change.

All your posts, comments, and saved content stay attached to your new username. Your profile history does not reset. Other users can still see everything you posted under your old username, but it will now show your new username instead. Private messages you received under your old username will still be in your inbox.

The 30-day waiting period between changes

Reddit enforces a 30-day cooldown between username changes. If you just changed your username, you cannot change it again until 30 days have passed from the date of your last change. The settings page will show you when you are able to change your username again if you try before the 30 days are up.

This rule applies to all accounts, including new ones. If you created a Reddit account and when ready changed your username, you still have to wait 30 days before changing it a second time.

What to do if you cannot change your username

If the Change button does not appear in your account settings, you may have changed your username within the last 30 days. Check the message on the page — it will tell you the exact date when you can change your username again.

If you see an error message when you try to change your username, make sure you entered your password correctly. Reddit requires your current password to confirm any username change for security reasons. If you forgot your password, use the "Forgot password?" link on the login page to reset it before trying again.

If the username you want is already taken, try adding a number or underscore to make it unique. For example, if JohnSmith is taken, you could try JohnSmith1 or John_Smith.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username more than once a month?

No. Reddit limits username changes to once every 30 days. You must wait a full month from your last change before you can change it again. This rule cannot be bypassed, even if you contact Reddit support.

Will my old posts show my new username?

Yes. All your posts and comments automatically display your new username. When someone clicks on an old post you made, it will show your current username, not the old one. Your post history is not affected by the change.

Can I get my old username back?

Not directly. Once you change your username, the old one goes back into the pool of available names. If someone else claims it, you cannot reclaim it. If nobody has taken it yet, you could change your username back to the old one, but you would have to wait 30 days from your most recent change.

What if I change my username and then want to undo it?

You can change your username again after 30 days have passed. However, if someone else claimed your old username in the meantime, you will not be able to use it again. Plan your username changes carefully because you cannot revert when ready.

Does changing my username affect my Reddit Premium or awards?

No. Your Reddit Premium subscription, awards, and account settings all stay the same when you change your username. Your account history and karma remain attached to your new username.