Where to find and update your address on Facebook

Your Facebook address — the web URL that appears in your profile, like facebook.com/yourname — lives in your profile settings under a section called "Username." To change it, open Facebook on a computer or phone, click your profile picture in the top right corner, then select "Settings and privacy" followed by "Settings." On the left side, click "Personal information," then find the "Username" field. Click the pencil icon next to it to edit.

Facebook lets you change your username once every 60 days. If you changed it recently, you'll see the date you can change it again. The new username must be between 5 and 50 characters, can include letters, numbers, periods, and underscores, but cannot have spaces or special characters like hyphens or dashes.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Facebook username is the custom web address (facebook.com/yourname) you can set in Personal Information settings, separate from your actual name.
  • You can change your username once every 60 days, and Facebook will tell you the exact date you're may be able to access to change it again if you've recently done so.
  • Usernames must be 5 to 50 characters and can only use letters, numbers, periods, and underscores — no spaces or hyphens.
  • Your old username stops working when ready after you change it, so update any links you've shared publicly before making the switch.
  • Changing your username does not change your actual name on your profile or affect your friends, messages, or account security.

The difference between your username and your name

Facebook lets you set two separate things: your actual name (what appears on your profile and in messages) and your username (the web address). Many people confuse these. Your name is what your friends see; your username is what goes in the URL bar when someone visits your profile.

You can change your actual name as often as you want by going to Settings > Personal Information > Name and clicking the pencil icon. Your username, by contrast, has the 60-day waiting period. If you only want to change how your name displays to friends, you don't need to touch your username at all.

What happens to your old username after you change it

Once you change your username, the old one becomes available for someone else to claim after a short period. Facebook does not reserve it for you. If you've shared your profile link on a website, in an email signature, or anywhere else public, that old link will no longer work — it will either show an error or take people to a different profile if someone else has claimed it.

Before you change your username, search for places you've posted it. Update your website "About" page, your email signature, any business profiles that link to you, or social media bios on other platforms. This prevents people from landing on the wrong profile or seeing a dead link.

Choosing a username that won't cause problems later

Pick a username you're comfortable keeping for a while, since you can only change it once every 60 days. Avoid usernames based on jobs, relationships, or interests that might change — "accountant_jane" or "engaged_mike" can feel outdated quickly. A username based on your actual name, a nickname, or a neutral handle tends to age better.

Check that your chosen username isn't already taken. Facebook will tell you when ready if someone else has it. If it is taken, try adding a number, a period, or an underscore to make it unique. Keep it straightforward enough that people can type it correctly if you give it to them verbally.

Troubleshooting a username that won't change

If you see a message saying you can't change your username yet, you've hit the 60-day limit. Facebook shows you the exact date you'll be able to change it again. There's no way to bypass this — you have to wait. If you're seeing a different error, try these steps: clear your browser cache and cookies, try a different browser, or use the Facebook app instead of the website.

If the username you want is taken, Facebook won't let you use it no matter how many times you try. You'll need to pick a different one. If you're getting an error message that doesn't mention the 60-day limit or a taken username, log out completely, wait a few minutes, and log back in. If the problem persists, you can report it to Facebook through Settings > Help and Support > Report a Problem.

How changing your username affects your account and privacy

Changing your username does not affect your account security, your password, your two-factor authentication, or anything else related to logging in. It's purely a cosmetic change to your profile's web address. Your friends list, messages, photos, and posts all stay exactly as they are. No one is notified that you changed your username.

Your privacy settings remain unchanged. If your profile was private before, it stays private. If it was public, it stays public. The only thing that changes is the URL people use to find you. If you're concerned about privacy, changing your username is not a substitute for reviewing your privacy settings — do that separately in Settings > Privacy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username more than once every 60 days?

No. Facebook enforces a 60-day waiting period between username changes. You can see the exact date you're may be able to access to change it again in your Personal Information settings. There's no way to change it sooner, even if you contact Facebook support.

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

Once you change your username, it becomes available for others to claim. If someone takes it, you cannot get it back. This is why it's important to update any public links to your profile before changing your username, so people don't end up on someone else's profile.

Does changing my username change my Facebook email address?

No. Your email address (the one you use to log in) is separate from your username. Changing your username does not affect your email, password, or login credentials. You change your email address in Settings > Personal Information > Email.

Will my friends be able to find me if I change my username?

Yes. Your friends can still find you by your actual name, and your profile link will still work — it will just have a different URL. Changing your username does not hide your profile or make it harder to find. Your friends list and all your connections stay the same.

Can I use special characters like hyphens or dashes in my username?

No. Facebook usernames can only contain letters (A–Z, a–z), numbers (0–9), periods (.), and underscores (_). Hyphens, dashes, spaces, and other special characters are not allowed. If you want to separate words, use an underscore or period instead.