What changing your Facebook web address means

Your Facebook web address is the URL that appears in the browser when someone visits your profile — something like facebook.com/yourname. This is different from your display name (the name that shows on your posts and comments). When you change your web address, you change the custom URL people use to find your profile, and you can do this once every 30 days through Facebook's settings.

The web address is also called your username or custom URL. It must be between 5 and 50 characters long, contain only letters, numbers, periods, and underscores, and cannot be a URL that Facebook already uses for its own pages or features.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your Facebook web address once every 30 days by going to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then Username.
  • Your new web address must be 5 to 50 characters long and can only use letters, numbers, periods, and underscores.
  • Facebook will not let you use a web address that is already taken, matches a Facebook page, or violates their naming rules.
  • After you change your web address, the old one becomes available for someone else to claim after about 30 days.
  • Changing your web address does not affect your display name, which is the name people see on your posts and in search results.

Steps to change your web address on desktop

Open Facebook in a web browser and log in to your account. Click the downward arrow in the top right corner of the screen, then select Settings and Privacy, then Settings.

On the left side of the screen, click Personal Information. You will see a section labeled Username. Click the pencil icon next to it to edit. Type your new web address in the field that appears. Facebook will tell you right away if the name is taken or breaks their rules. When you have entered a name that works, click Review Change, then Save Changes.

Your new web address takes effect when ready. The old one will stop working for you, though Facebook holds it for about 30 days before making it available to others.

Steps to change your web address on mobile

Open the Facebook app and tap the three horizontal lines (the menu) in the bottom right corner. Scroll down and tap Settings and Privacy, then Settings.

Scroll down to Personal Information and tap Username. Tap the pencil icon to edit. Type your new web address. If Facebook accepts it, tap Review Change, then Save Changes. The change takes effect right away.

Rules Facebook enforces for web addresses

Your web address must be between 5 and 50 characters. You can use letters (a–z), numbers (0–9), periods (.), and underscores (_). You cannot use spaces, hyphens, or special characters like @, #, or &.

Facebook will reject a web address if someone else already uses it, if it matches a Facebook page or feature (like facebook.com/help or facebook.com/pages), or if it violates their Community Standards — for example, if it contains hate speech or impersonates a real person or brand. You also cannot use a web address that is only numbers.

What happens to your old web address

When you change your web address, your old one stops working when ready for your profile. However, Facebook does not release it right away. The old address is held in reserve for about 30 days. After that period, someone else can claim it.

If you change your mind within that 30-day window, you can change your web address back to the old one without waiting for the 30-day cooldown to pass. After 30 days, if you want to use that old address again, you will have to wait until it becomes available and then claim it like anyone else would.

The difference between web address and display name

Your web address (username) and your display name are two separate things. Your display name is what appears on your posts, comments, and profile header — the name people see when they interact with you. Your web address is only the URL in the browser bar.

You can change your display name as often as you want, and it does not affect your web address. Changing your web address does not change your display name either. If you want to change both, you will need to do them separately.

Troubleshooting: why Facebook won't accept your choice

If Facebook tells you a web address is unavailable, it is either already taken by another user, reserved by Facebook, or it breaks one of their naming rules. Try a variation — add a number, use an underscore, or add a period. For example, if "john.smith" is taken, try "john.smith1" or "john_smith".

If you see an error message that does not explain why, wait a few minutes and try again. Sometimes Facebook's system needs time to process. If the problem continues, make sure you are using a supported browser and that you have not changed your web address in the last 30 days — you can only change it once per month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my web address more than once a month?

No. Facebook limits you to one change every 30 days. If you change your web address, you must wait 30 days before changing it again. This rule applies even if you change it back to a previous address.

If I change my web address, will my old links stop working?

Yes. Any link to your old web address will no longer work. If you have shared your profile link on other websites or social media, those links will break. You may want to update them to your new web address.

Can I use special characters like hyphens or @ symbols?

No. Facebook only allows letters, numbers, periods, and underscores in web addresses. Hyphens, spaces, and symbols like @, #, or & are not permitted.

What if someone else takes my old web address after I change it?

Once the 30-day hold expires, your old web address becomes available to anyone. If someone claims it before you change your mind, you cannot get it back unless they change theirs later and release it. Choose your new web address carefully.

Does changing my web address affect my friends list or messages?

No. Your web address is only the URL people use to find your profile. Changing it does not affect your friends, messages, photos, or any other content on your account.