You can change your Facebook web address through your settings in about two minutes

Your Facebook web address — the part that appears in the URL bar when someone visits your profile — is controlled by your username. Facebook lets you change this username once every 30 days. The change takes effect when ready, and your old web address stops working right away, though you can claim it again later if you want to switch back.

The process is straightforward: you go to your settings, find the username field, type a new one, and save. Facebook checks whether that username is already taken. If it is, you'll see an error and need to try something different. If it's available, the change is done.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your Facebook username once every 30 days through your account settings.
  • Your new username becomes your web address when ready — for example, facebook.com/yourname — and your old one stops working.
  • You can reclaim your old username later if you want to switch back, as long as nobody else has taken it in the meantime.
  • Changing your username does not affect your account security, your friends list, or any of your posts or photos.
  • If the username you want is taken, you will need to choose a different one — Facebook does not have a waitlist for usernames.

Where to find the username setting on desktop

Open Facebook in a web browser and look for the menu icon — three horizontal lines — in the top right corner of the page. Click it, then scroll down and select Settings and privacy, then Settings.

On the left side of the screen, you'll see a menu. Click Personal information. You should now see a section labeled Username with your current web address displayed underneath. Click the pencil icon next to it to edit.

Type your new username in the field that appears. Facebook will show you a preview of what your new web address will look like. If the username is available, a green checkmark will appear. Click Review change, then Save changes.

Where to find the username setting on mobile

Open the Facebook app and tap the menu icon — three horizontal lines — in the bottom right corner (iPhone) or top right corner (Android). Scroll down and tap Settings and privacy, then Settings.

Tap Personal information. You'll see your username listed with your current web address. Tap the username field to edit it. Type your new username and tap Review change, then Save changes.

What happens when you change your username

Your new web address takes effect when ready. Anyone who tries to visit your old web address will see an error page. Your new username becomes your public web address — people can find you by typing facebook.com/yournewusername into their browser.

Your friends, messages, photos, and posts all stay exactly as they were. Changing your username does not log you out, change your password, or affect your privacy settings. Links that people have saved to your old profile will break, but you can share your new web address with them.

If you change your mind within 30 days, you cannot change it again — you have to wait a full month from the date of your last change. However, you can reclaim your old username at any time in the future, as long as nobody else has taken it.

What to do if your desired username is already taken

If you type a username and Facebook shows a red X or an error message, that username is already in use. You'll need to choose a different one. Facebook does not have a waitlist or reservation system for usernames — if someone else has it, you cannot get it unless they change theirs and you claim it before anyone else does.

Try variations: add numbers, use an underscore or period, or combine your name differently. For example, if "john.smith" is taken, you might try "john.smith23" or "johnsmith.official". Check the preview each time to make sure the new version is available.

The 30-day waiting period between changes

Facebook enforces a 30-day rule: once you change your username, you cannot change it again for 30 days. This timer starts from the date you made the change, not from the calendar month. If you change your username on March 15th, you cannot change it again until April 15th.

If you try to change it before 30 days have passed, Facebook will show you a message telling you when you'll be able to change it next. There is no way to bypass this waiting period, even if you contact Facebook support.

Reclaiming an old username you used before

If you changed your username in the past and want to go back to an old one, you can do that — but only if nobody else has claimed it since you left it. Go through the same process: Settings > Personal information > Username, and type the old username you want back.

If it's still available, Facebook will let you claim it. If someone else has taken it, you'll see an error. In that case, you would need to contact that person and ask them to change theirs, which they have no obligation to do. It's usually easier to pick a new username instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing my username affect my Facebook ID number?

No. Your Facebook ID is a separate number that never changes. Your username is just the web address people use to find you. You can change your username as often as the 30-day rule allows, but your ID stays the same forever. This is why old links to your profile sometimes still work even after you change your username — Facebook can still find you by your ID.

Will my friends be able to find me after I change my username?

Yes. Your friends can still search for you by your name, and they can still message you. Your friends list does not change. The only thing that changes is the web address — facebook.com/youroldname becomes facebook.com/yournewname. You should let people know your new web address if they have bookmarked your old one.

Can I change my username more than once every 30 days?

No. Facebook limits username changes to once per 30 days. If you try to change it before 30 days have passed since your last change, you'll see a message telling you when you can change it next. You cannot pay to bypass this or contact support to remove the restriction.

What if I see an error message when I try to save my new username?

The most common error is that the username is already taken. Try a different variation. Less common errors include technical glitches — if you see an error that does not say the username is taken, try again in a few minutes or try on a different device. If the problem continues, clear your browser cache or try the mobile app instead of the web version.

Does changing my username change my email address or phone number on file?

No. Your username is separate from your email address and phone number. Changing your web address does not affect how you log in or how Facebook contacts you. Your login email and phone number stay the same.