What a Facebook URL is and why you might change it

Your Facebook URL is the web address people use to find your profile — it looks like facebook.com/yourname. By default, Facebook assigns you a number-based URL (facebook.com/profile.php?id=123456789), but you can change it to something shorter and easier to share. A custom URL uses your chosen username instead, making your profile link memorable and professional.

You might change your URL because you want a cleaner web address for your resume, a business page, or straightforward because you prefer a different username. Facebook lets you change it once every 60 days, so you can adjust it if you pick something you later dislike.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Facebook URL is the web address of your profile, and you can customize it to use a username instead of a number.
  • You can only change your URL once every 60 days, so choose carefully before you make the switch.
  • The change happens in your Settings menu under "Username," and takes effect when ready.
  • Your old URL stops working once you change it, so update any links you have shared elsewhere.
  • You cannot use a username that is already taken, contains certain symbols, or is shorter than five characters.

How to access the username settings on your profile

Open Facebook and go to your profile by clicking your name or profile picture in the top left corner. Once you are on your profile page, look for the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right corner and click it. From the dropdown menu, select "Settings and privacy," then click "Settings."

In the Settings menu, look for the "Personal information" section on the left side. Click "Username" to open the page where you can view and change your current URL. This is the only place where Facebook lets you make this change.

Choosing a new username and checking availability

When you click on Username, you will see your current URL displayed at the top of the page. Below that is a text field where you can type your new username. Facebook will show you a preview of what your new URL will look like as you type.

As you enter characters, Facebook checks in real time whether that username is available. If the name is taken, you will see a red X and a message saying the username is not available. If it is available, you will see a green checkmark. Keep in mind that usernames must be at least five characters long, cannot contain spaces, and cannot include most special characters — periods, underscores, and hyphens are allowed, but symbols like @ or # are not.

Confirming your change and what happens next

Once you have chosen an available username, click the "Review" button to see a final preview of your new URL. Facebook will display the exact web address you are about to set up. If you are satisfied, click "Confirm" to save the change.

The change takes effect when ready. Your new URL becomes active right away, and your old number-based URL (or previous custom URL) stops working. Anyone who tries to visit your old link will see an error page. If you have shared your old URL anywhere — on a resume, website, or social media — you should update those links to your new one.

What to do if your preferred username is already taken

If the username you want is already in use, you have a few options. You can try a variation: add a number, use an underscore or period, or slightly change the spelling. For example, if "sarah.jones" is taken, you might try "sarah.jones23" or "sarahjones_" instead.

You can also search Facebook to see who has the username you want. If it is a dormant account with no activity or profile picture, you might try reporting it to Facebook as inactive, though Facebook does not may provide it will release the name. In most cases, your best option is to choose a variation that is still recognizable and straightforward to remember.

The 60-day waiting period between changes

After you change your URL, Facebook locks you out of making another change for 60 days. This rule applies whether you are changing from a number-based URL to a custom one or switching from one custom username to another. The 60-day timer starts the moment you confirm your new username.

Because of this restriction, take time to choose a username you will be happy with for at least two months. If you realize when ready after changing it that you made a mistake, you will have to wait the full 60 days before you can switch again.

Troubleshooting common problems when changing your URL

If you cannot find the Username option in Settings, make sure you are logged into the correct account and that you are viewing your own profile, not someone else's. You can only change the URL of your own profile. If you are trying to change a business page URL, the process is different — business pages have a separate "Page Username" setting in their Page Settings menu.

If you see an error message saying you cannot change your username, check whether you have already made a change in the last 60 days. If you have, you will need to wait until the 60-day period expires. If you believe there is a technical problem, try logging out and back in, or use a different browser to rule out a cache issue.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Facebook URL more than once?

Yes, but only once every 60 days. After you make a change, you must wait 60 days before you can change it again. The timer resets each time you confirm a new username.

What happens to my old Facebook URL after I change it?

Your old URL stops working when ready and anyone who tries to visit it will see an error. If you have shared your old link anywhere, update it to your new one so people can still find your profile.

Can I use numbers and special characters in my username?

Yes, you can use numbers, periods, and underscores. You cannot use spaces, @ symbols, # symbols, or most other special characters. Your username must also be at least five characters long.

Can I change the URL of my business page the same way?

No. Business pages have their own username setting in the Page Settings menu, separate from personal profile settings. The process is similar but accessed from a different location.

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

You will have to wait 60 days before you can change it again. There is no way to undo a change when ready, so choose your username carefully before confirming.