Change Your Facebook URL in Three Steps

Your Facebook URL is the web address people use to find your profile — it looks like facebook.com/yourname. You can change it to something shorter or more memorable by setting a custom username. Facebook lets you change your username once every 60 days, and the process takes less than a minute.

Go to your profile, click the three-line menu icon in the top right, select "Settings and privacy," then "Settings." On the left side, click "Personal information." Next to "Username," click "Edit," type your new username, and click "Review change." Facebook will tell you if the name is available. If it is, click "Save changes" and you're done.

Your old URL stops working when ready, but anyone who bookmarked it or shared it will see an error. You cannot get your old username back once you change it, so choose carefully.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your Facebook username once every 60 days through Settings and privacy > Settings > Personal information > Username.
  • Your new URL takes effect right away, and your old URL becomes inactive permanently.
  • Usernames must be between 5 and 50 characters and can include letters, numbers, and periods.
  • If your desired username is taken, Facebook will suggest alternatives you can choose from instead.
  • Changing your username does not affect your account security, friends list, or any other profile information.

What Usernames Facebook Will and Won't Allow

Facebook has rules about what characters and words you can use. Your username must be at least 5 characters long and no more than 50. You can use letters, numbers, and periods, but not spaces, underscores, hyphens, or special characters like @ or #.

You cannot use a username that is already taken, that impersonates a public figure or brand, or that violates Facebook's community standards. If you try to use a name that belongs to someone else or a company, Facebook will reject it. The system checks in real time, so you'll know when ready whether your choice is available.

Usernames vs. Display Names — What's the Difference

Your username is the part of your URL that people type or click to reach your profile. Your display name is what appears above your posts and in your profile header — the name your friends see. You can change your display name as often as you want, but you can only change your username once every 60 days.

If you want to change how your name appears to friends without changing your URL, edit your display name instead. Go to Settings > Personal information > Name, and type the name you want to show. This change takes effect when ready and does not affect your username or URL.

What Happens to Links After You Change Your Username

When you change your username, your old Facebook URL becomes inactive. Anyone who tries to visit your old profile link will see an error page. This includes links you posted yourself, links in old messages, and links other people shared.

You should update your username in places where you use it — your email signature, your website, your other social media bios, or anywhere else you've shared your Facebook profile link. If you have a business page or a public figure page, changing your username may also affect how people search for you, so plan the change for a time when it won't disrupt your audience.

If Your Desired Username Is Already Taken

When you search for a username that is not available, Facebook shows you a list of similar alternatives. These suggestions use your preferred name with numbers added, or slight variations of what you typed. You can choose one of these suggestions, or go back and try a completely different username.

If the username you want belongs to an inactive account, you cannot claim it. Facebook does not release usernames from old or abandoned accounts. Your only option is to pick a different name or add numbers to make it unique — for example, yourname123 instead of yourname.

How to Find Your Current Username If You're Not Sure

Go to your profile and look at the URL in your browser's address bar. If it shows facebook.com/yourname, then yourname is your username. If it shows facebook.com/profile.php?id=123456789, you have not set a custom username yet — Facebook is using your ID number instead.

You can also find your username by going to Settings > Personal information and looking next to "Username." If the field is blank or shows your ID number, you have not created a custom username. Click "Edit" to set one up for the first time.

Changing Your Username on Mobile vs. Desktop

The steps are the same on both mobile and desktop, but the menu layout is slightly different. On mobile, open the Facebook app, tap the three horizontal lines at the bottom right, scroll down to "Settings and privacy," tap "Settings," then tap "Personal information" and "Username."

On desktop, use the three-line menu in the top right corner of any Facebook page. The rest of the process is identical — click "Edit," type your new username, review the change, and save. Both versions let you change your username once every 60 days.

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. If you try to change it before 60 days have passed, you'll see a message telling you when you can change it again. This rule applies to everyone, including business pages and public figures.

What if I change my username and then want to change it back?

You can change it back, but you have to wait 60 days from your last change. Your old username is not reserved for you — if someone else claims it during that 60-day window, you cannot get it back. Choose your new username carefully.

Does changing my username affect my Facebook business page or creator account?

No. Your personal profile username and your business page username are separate. You can change one without affecting the other. Business pages have their own username settings in the page's About section.

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

Yes. Your friends can still find you by searching your name, and they remain connected to your account. Changing your username does not affect your friends list or your account in any other way.

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

No. Facebook only allows letters, numbers, and periods. Spaces, underscores, hyphens, and other special characters are not permitted. If you want to separate words, use a period instead — for example, john.smith instead of john_smith.