Change Your Facebook URL in Three Steps

You can change your Facebook URL (the web address that appears in your profile link) by going to your profile, clicking the username field, and entering a new one. Facebook calls this your username, and it becomes part of your profile URL — for example, facebook.com/yourname. You get to change it once every 60 days, and the change takes effect when ready.

The process takes less than a minute if you know where to look. The username field sits in a specific spot on your profile, and Facebook will tell you right away if the name you want is already taken or contains characters it won't accept.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Facebook username becomes your profile URL and can be changed once every 60 days.
  • You edit your username directly from your profile by clicking the username field under your name and profile picture.
  • Facebook only allows letters, numbers, periods, and underscores in usernames, and the name must be at least five characters long.
  • If the username you want is taken, Facebook will show you that when ready and you can try a different one.
  • The change takes effect right away, but old links to your profile may stop working if you change your username.

Where to Find Your Username on Your Profile

Open Facebook and go to your profile by clicking your name or profile picture anywhere on the site. Once you are on your profile page, look directly under your name and profile picture. You will see your username displayed there — it looks like a gray text link. This is the field you will click to edit.

If you do not see a username yet, that means you have not set one. Facebook assigns you a default profile URL using your name and a number, but you can replace it with a custom username of your choice. The edit button appears when you hover over or click on that username area.

How to Edit Your Username

Click on the username field under your name. A small pencil icon or edit button will appear when you hover over it. Click that icon to open the edit box. The current username will appear highlighted and ready to change.

Type your new username into the field. Remember that Facebook only accepts letters (a–z, A–Z), numbers (0–9), periods, and underscores. Your username must be at least five characters long and cannot contain spaces. Once you have typed the new name, click the checkmark or "Save" button to confirm the change.

What Happens If Your Chosen Username Is Taken

If someone else already has the username you want, Facebook will show you an error message as soon as you try to save it. The message will say something like "This username is not available." You cannot reserve a username or join a waitlist — you have to choose a different one.

Try adding a number, period, or underscore to make it unique. For example, if "sarah.jones" is taken, you could try "sarah.jones1" or "sarah_jones". Facebook will let you know when ready whether each variation is available, so you can keep trying until you find one that works.

The 60-Day Waiting Period Between Changes

Once you change your username, you cannot change it again for 60 days. This rule applies whether you are changing it for the first time or the tenth time. If you try to change it before 60 days have passed, Facebook will show you a message telling you when you can change it next.

This means you should be fairly sure about your choice before you click save. If you make a mistake or change your mind, you will have to wait two months before you can try again. Write down or take a screenshot of the date you made the change so you know when you are may be able to access to change it next.

What Breaks When You Change Your Username

Your new username takes effect when ready, but any old links to your profile using the previous username will stop working. If you shared your old profile link on a website, in an email, or on another social media platform, people who click that link will see an error or be redirected to your new profile.

You do not lose your profile, friends, or messages — only the old web address stops working. If you have shared your profile link in places you cannot easily update, you may want to wait before changing your username. Your profile ID number (a long string of digits) stays the same and always works, but most people share the username version because it is easier to remember.

Rules for What You Can Name Your Username

Facebook has specific rules about what characters and words are allowed. You can use letters, numbers, periods, and underscores only. No spaces, hyphens, or special characters like @ or # are permitted. Your username must be at least five characters long.

Facebook also blocks usernames that contain certain words or phrases, usually those related to impersonation, harassment, or adult content. If you try to use a blocked word, you will get an error message. The blocked words list is not published, so if you get rejected, try a different variation of the name you want.

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, no matter how many times you have changed it before. If you try to change it sooner, you will see a message telling you the exact date when you can change it next.

What is the difference between my username and my name on Facebook?

Your name is what appears on your profile and in your posts — you can change it anytime. Your username is the web address (facebook.com/yourname) and can only be changed once every 60 days. They are separate fields and serve different purposes.

If I change my username, do I lose my friends or messages?

No. Changing your username does not affect your account, friends, messages, or any content. Only the web address changes. Your profile and everything in it stays exactly the same.

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

No. Facebook only allows letters, numbers, periods, and underscores. Hyphens, spaces, and symbols like @ or # will cause an error when you try to save.

What should I do if the username I want is taken?

Try adding a number, period, or underscore to make it unique. For example, add "1" at the end or use an underscore between words. Facebook will tell you when ready if each variation is available, so you can keep trying different combinations until you find one that works.