Change your Twitter name in three steps

Open Twitter on your phone or computer and tap or click the three-dot menu in the top right corner of the screen. Select Settings and privacy, then Account. Find the field labeled Name — this is what appears at the top of your profile, separate from your username (the @handle). Type your new name, which can be up to 50 characters long and include spaces, numbers, and some symbols. Click Save and the change takes effect when ready.

Your username — the @handle people use to tag you — cannot be changed this way. If you want a different username, you will need to follow a separate process through the same Settings menu. The name field is purely for display and does not affect how people search for or mention you.

The change is visible to everyone right away. There is no waiting period, no confirmation email, and no limit to how often you can change it.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Twitter name (display name) is separate from your username (@handle) and changes through Settings and privacy > Account > Name.
  • Display names can be up to 50 characters and take effect when ready once you save.
  • You can change your display name as often as you want with no restrictions or waiting period.
  • If you want to change your @username instead, that requires a different process in the same Settings menu.
  • The change is public and visible to all your followers and anyone who visits your profile.

Where to find the name field on mobile

On iPhone or Android, open the Twitter app and tap the profile icon in the bottom right corner. Tap the three horizontal lines (menu icon) at the top right, then tap Settings and privacy. Select Account and scroll down until you see Name. Tap it, clear the current text, type your new name, and tap Save at the top of the screen.

If you are using Twitter through a web browser on your phone, the process is the same as on desktop: tap the three-dot menu from your profile or home feed, go to Settings and privacy, then Account, then Name.

Where to find the name field on desktop

On a computer, click your profile picture in the top right corner of the screen. Click Settings and privacy from the dropdown menu. On the left side, click Account. The Name field appears near the top of the page. Click inside it, delete the current text, type your new name, and click Save.

If you do not see the three-dot menu, make sure you are logged in. Twitter requires you to be signed into your account to change any profile information.

What you can and cannot do with your name

Your display name can include letters, numbers, spaces, and punctuation marks like hyphens, underscores, and parentheses. Twitter does not restrict the content of your name the way it does with usernames, so you have more freedom to use symbols and creative formatting.

You cannot use your name field to include a clickable link. If you paste a URL into the name field, it will appear as plain text, not as a link. The only place on your profile where you can add a clickable link is the Website field, which is separate and located below your bio.

Twitter does not prevent you from impersonating someone else through your display name, but the platform has rules against impersonation. If you change your name to match a public figure or brand, Twitter may take action if someone reports it, especially if your account also mimics the real person's bio or profile picture.

Changing your username instead of your name

If you want to change your @username (the handle people use to mention you), go to Settings and privacy > Account and look for Username instead of Name. Your username must start with @, be between 4 and 15 characters long, and can only contain letters, numbers, and underscores. You can change it once every 30 days.

When you change your username, your old username becomes available for anyone else to claim after a short period. If you had a username you want to keep, do not change it unless you are certain. You cannot reserve an old username or get it back once someone else takes it.

Changing your username does not affect your followers or your tweets. Everyone who followed you will still follow you under your new username, and all your past tweets remain on your account.

What happens after you change your name

The change appears on your profile when ready. Your followers will see your new name the next time they visit your profile or see your tweets in their feed. There is no notification sent to your followers telling them you changed your name.

If you have a verified account (a blue checkmark), your verification status stays with your account regardless of what name you use. The checkmark does not disappear when you change your display name.

Any mentions or tags from before the change will still show your old name in the conversation history, but your profile and current tweets will display your new name. This is normal and does not cause any problems with your account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Twitter name back to what it was before?

Yes. There is no limit to how many times you can change your display name or how quickly you can change it back. You can revert to a previous name at any time by following the same steps and typing the old name into the field.

Will changing my name affect my tweets or followers?

No. Your tweets, follower count, and following list all stay the same. Only the name displayed on your profile changes. Everyone who followed you before the change will still follow you afterward.

What is the difference between my name and my username?

Your name is what displays at the top of your profile and on your tweets — it can have spaces and symbols. Your username is your @handle, which people use to mention or search for you — it can only have letters, numbers, and underscores, and you can change it only once every 30 days.

Can I use special characters or emojis in my Twitter name?

Yes. Twitter allows letters, numbers, spaces, and most punctuation in your display name. You can also paste emojis into the name field, and they will display on your profile. Keep in mind that some symbols may not display the same way on all devices.

Why can't I find the name field in my settings?

Make sure you are in the Account section of Settings and privacy, not another section like Privacy and safety or Notifications. If you are still not seeing it, try logging out and logging back in, or try accessing Twitter in a different browser or app.