You can change your Twitter handle whenever you want, and it takes about 30 seconds

Your Twitter handle — the @username that appears in your profile URL — can be changed as often as you like. Twitter does not charge you, does not limit how many times you can change it, and does not require you to wait between changes. The moment you save a new handle, your old one becomes available for someone else to claim.

The change happens when ready across your entire account. Your tweets, followers, and follower count stay with you. But your old handle disappears from your profile, and anyone who tries to visit your old URL will see a "page not found" message.

Key Takeaways

  • Change your handle in Settings and Privacy under Account, then Username — no verification or waiting period required.
  • Your old handle becomes available for anyone else to register when ready after you change it.
  • All your tweets, followers, and account history stay with you when you change your handle.
  • Links to your old handle will break, so tell people your new handle if you use it for business or public communication.
  • You cannot reserve or hold an old handle, and you cannot change back to a handle someone else has already taken.

How to change your handle on the web

Open Twitter in a browser and click the three-dot menu in the top left corner. Select Settings and Privacy, then Account. Look for the Username field — it will show your current handle with an @ symbol. Click into that field and type your new handle.

Twitter will check in real time whether the handle is available. If it is taken, you will see a red X and cannot save. If it is available, you will see a green checkmark. Click Save and the change takes effect when ready. You will stay logged in, and your account will now show the new handle everywhere.

How to change your handle on mobile

On the Twitter app for iPhone or Android, tap your profile picture in the top left corner. Select Settings and Privacy, then Account. Tap Username and type your new handle. The availability check works the same way — you will see whether it is taken before you save.

Tap Save and the change is done. You can close the app and reopen it, and your new handle will be there.

What happens to your old handle

The moment you change your handle, your old one is released back into the pool of available handles. Anyone can register it, including people you do not know. Twitter does not hold old handles for you, and you cannot ask them to reserve one.

If you want to change back to an old handle later, you can only do that if nobody else has claimed it in the meantime. If someone has taken it, you will have to choose a different handle or wait until they change theirs — which could be never.

What stays the same when you change your handle

Your tweets do not disappear. Your follower count does not reset. Your direct messages stay in your inbox. Your likes, retweets, and replies all remain attached to your account. The only thing that changes is the @username that appears next to your name.

People who follow you will still follow you. They will see your new handle on your profile, but they will not be notified of the change. If you use your Twitter handle for business, in an email signature, or on other websites, you will need to update those places yourself — Twitter cannot do that for you.

Why links to your old handle will break

If someone shared a link to your old profile — for example, twitter.com/@youroldhandle — that link will no longer work. The URL is tied to your old handle, not to your account itself. When you change your handle, the old URL points to nothing.

Your new profile URL will be twitter.com/@yournewhandle. If you have a website, resume, or social media bio that links to your Twitter profile, update the link to your new handle so people can actually reach you.

Restrictions and things to know

Twitter does not allow handles that are only numbers, and some handles are reserved by Twitter itself (like @twitter, @TwitterAPI, and @TwitterSupport). You cannot use spaces or most special characters — only letters, numbers, and underscores.

Your handle must be between 4 and 15 characters long. If you try to use a handle that is too short, too long, or already taken, Twitter will tell you when ready and will not let you save it. There is no waiting list or request system — if a handle is taken, you have to choose a different one.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Only if nobody else has claimed it. Once you change your handle, your old one is available for anyone to register. If someone took it, you cannot get it back unless they change theirs first. Twitter does not hold or reserve old handles.

Will my followers be notified when I change my handle?

No. Your followers will still follow you, but they will not receive a notification about the change. If your handle is important to people who know you, tell them directly or update your bio to mention the change.

Does changing my handle affect my verification badge?

No. If your account is verified (has a blue checkmark), the verification stays with your account when you change your handle. The badge is tied to your account, not to your username.

Can I change my handle if my account is suspended or locked?

No. You cannot access Settings while your account is suspended or locked. You will need to resolve the suspension or unlock your account first through Twitter's support process.

How often can I change my handle?

Twitter does not limit how many times you can change your handle or how often you can do it. You can change it once a day, once a week, or once a year — there is no restriction. However, changing it very frequently can confuse people who are trying to follow you.