Change Your Facebook URL in Three Steps

You can change your Facebook URL by going to your profile, clicking the username field, and entering a new custom username. Facebook lets you change it once every 60 days, and the change takes effect when ready. Your old URL stops working, so anyone who bookmarked it will need your new address.

The process takes about two minutes and requires no special permissions or verification beyond your regular Facebook login. You cannot use a username someone else has already claimed, and Facebook will tell you right away if your choice is taken.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your Facebook username once every 60 days through your profile settings, not through a separate form or request.
  • Your new URL appears as facebook.com/yourneweusername and replaces your old one when ready.
  • You cannot use a username that is already taken, contains certain symbols, or is shorter than five characters.
  • Your old Facebook URL stops working after you change it, so share your new address with anyone who needs to find your profile.
  • If you change your mind within 60 days, you will have to wait until the 60-day window passes to switch again.

Finding the Username Setting on Your Profile

Open Facebook and go to your profile by clicking your name or profile picture in the top right corner. Once you are on your profile page, look for the pencil icon next to your name at the top of the page. Click that pencil icon — it opens a small menu with the option to edit your profile information.

In that menu, select "Edit profile." This takes you to a page showing your basic information: your name, bio, work history, and other details. Scroll down until you see the "Username" field. This is where your current Facebook URL is displayed, usually showing something like facebook.com/yourname or facebook.com/yourfirstname.yourlastname.

Entering Your New Username

Click directly on the username field to edit it. A text box will appear where you can type your new username. Facebook shows you a preview of what your new URL will look like as you type. The preview appears below the text box and updates with each character you add.

Keep your new username between 5 and 50 characters. You can use letters, numbers, and periods, but not spaces or most special characters. Facebook will reject usernames with symbols like hyphens, underscores, or @ signs. If you try to use a character that is not allowed, Facebook will show an error message telling you which characters are not permitted.

Checking Availability and Confirming the Change

As soon as you finish typing your new username, Facebook checks whether it is available. If someone else has already claimed that username, you will see a red message saying "This username is not available." You will need to choose a different one. If the username is available, the message will turn green and say "This username is available."

Once you see the green confirmation, click the "Review" button or "Save" button (the exact wording depends on your device and Facebook version). Facebook will ask you to confirm the change one more time. Click "Confirm" or "Change Username" to finalize it. The change takes effect when ready, and your new URL is active right away.

What Happens to Your Old URL

Your previous Facebook URL stops working as soon as you change your username. If someone tries to visit your old URL, they will see an error page or be redirected to your profile without the custom URL. This means anyone who bookmarked your old profile link, saved it in their notes, or shared it with others will not be able to use that link anymore.

Before you change your username, consider letting people know your new address if they might need to find you. You can post about it on your timeline, send it to close friends, or update it in any places where you have shared your Facebook profile link — like your email signature, website, or other social media profiles.

The 60-Day Waiting Period Between Changes

Facebook enforces a 60-day waiting period between username changes. Once you change your username, you cannot change it again for 60 days. If you realize you made a mistake or want to switch to something different, you will have to wait until that 60-day window closes before you can make another change.

The timer starts the moment you confirm your change, not when you first click edit. If you change your username on March 15, you cannot change it again until May 14. Facebook does not offer exceptions to this rule, so choose carefully before you confirm.

Usernames You Cannot Use

Facebook reserves certain usernames and will not let you claim them. These include common words like "facebook," "help," "settings," "messages," and "notifications." You also cannot use usernames that are already taken by other people or pages. If you try to use a reserved or taken username, Facebook will show you an error message when ready.

Usernames must be at least 5 characters long. If you try something shorter, Facebook will reject it. You also cannot use spaces, hyphens, underscores, or most punctuation marks — periods are the only special character allowed. If your desired username contains any of these, you will need to remove them or choose a different name.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I change my mind right after changing my username?

You cannot change it back when ready. You will have to wait 60 days from the date you made the change. If you absolutely need your old username back, you can contact Facebook Support, but they typically will not override the 60-day rule unless there is a security issue with your account.

Does changing my username affect my Facebook ID or my account?

No. Your Facebook ID — the unique number behind your account — never changes. Your username is just the custom web address people can use to find you. Changing it does not affect your account security, your friends list, your messages, or anything else on your profile.

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

No. Facebook only allows letters, numbers, and periods in usernames. Hyphens, underscores, spaces, and other symbols will be rejected. If you want to separate words, you can use a period instead, like firstname.lastname.

What if the username I want is taken?

You will need to choose a different username. Facebook will tell you when ready if a name is unavailable. You can try adding numbers, a period, or a variation of the name you want. If someone else has the exact username you are looking for, there is no way to claim it unless they change theirs first.

Do my friends see my username change?

Your friends will not receive a notification about the change, but they may notice if they visit your profile. The new username will appear in your profile URL. If you want them to know, you can post about it or message them directly with your new address.