Change Your Display Name in Three Steps
Your display name on Twitter (now called X) is the name that appears above your posts and on your profile. You can change it anytime from your account settings—the process takes less than a minute. Open Twitter or X on your phone or computer, go to your settings, find the account section, and edit the name field.
Unlike your username (the @handle that comes after the @ symbol), your display name can include spaces, capital letters, and special characters. You can change it as often as you want, and the change takes effect when ready across the platform.
Key Takeaways
- Your display name is separate from your username—the display name is what people see, while your username is your @handle.
- You can change your display name from Settings and Privacy on any device, and the change appears when ready on your profile and posts.
- Display names can be up to 50 characters and can include spaces, numbers, and most symbols.
- Changing your display name does not affect your followers, messages, or any other part of your account.
How to Change Your Display Name on a Phone
Open the Twitter or X app and tap the three horizontal lines (menu icon) in the bottom right corner. Tap your profile picture at the top of the menu, then select "Settings and privacy." Tap "Account" and then "Account information." You will see your current display name at the top—tap on it to edit.
Type your new display name in the text field. You can use up to 50 characters, including spaces and numbers. When you are finished, tap the checkmark or "Done" button (the exact label depends on your phone's operating system). The change saves when ready and appears on your profile right away.
How to Change Your Display Name on a Computer
Log into Twitter or X in your web browser. Click the three dots (more options) in the left sidebar, then select "Settings and privacy." Click "Account" in the left menu, then click "Account information." Your display name appears near the top of the page—click on it to edit.
Type your new display name in the text box. The field accepts up to 50 characters. Click outside the text box or press Enter to save. The change takes effect when ready, and your new name will appear on your profile and all your posts.
What You Can and Cannot Use in a Display Name
Your display name can include letters, numbers, spaces, and most punctuation marks. Many people use symbols like dashes, underscores, periods, and parentheses. You can also use emojis in your display name if you want to add visual interest.
Twitter and X do not allow display names that impersonate other accounts or that violate their terms of service. If your display name is too similar to a public figure or verified account, the platform may ask you to change it. Avoid using display names that are designed to deceive other users about who you are.
Why Your Display Name Might Not Change
If you try to change your display name and nothing happens, check that you actually saved the change. On phones, make sure you tapped the checkmark or "Done" button. On computers, click outside the text box or press Enter to confirm. If the field is still showing your old name after a few seconds, try refreshing the page.
If you see an error message, the display name you chose may already be in use by another account, or it may contain characters that Twitter or X does not allow. Try a slightly different version—add a number, a space, or a symbol. If the problem continues, log out and log back in, then try again.
The Difference Between Display Name and Username
Your display name is what people see when they look at your profile or read your posts. It can have spaces and special characters, and you can change it whenever you want. Your username (your @handle) is the unique identifier that comes after the @ symbol—for example, @yourname. Usernames cannot have spaces and are much harder to change.
If you want to change your username instead of your display name, that process is different and requires going to "Account" settings and then "Username." Keep in mind that changing your username may confuse people who know you by your old @handle, and some links to your old username may stop working.
What Happens to Your Account When You Change Your Display Name
Changing your display name does not affect anything else on your account. Your followers stay the same, your messages remain intact, and your posts do not disappear. People who follow you will straightforward see your new name the next time they look at your profile or see one of your posts.
Your old display name is not saved anywhere public, so people will not see a record of what you used to be called. If you change your display name back and forth, there is no penalty or limit on how many times you can do this.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use special characters or emojis in my display name?
Yes. You can use numbers, spaces, dashes, underscores, periods, parentheses, and most other punctuation marks. Emojis work too. The only limit is 50 characters total, so a long display name with emojis will use up your character count faster.
What if someone else is using the display name I want?
Multiple people can have the same display name on Twitter or X—display names are not unique. Only usernames (your @handle) have to be unique. If you want the exact same display name as someone else, you can use it, but people might get confused about which account is which.
Does changing my display name affect my username?
No. Your display name and username are completely separate. Changing one does not change the other. Your username is your @handle and is much harder to change, while your display name can be updated anytime.
How long does it take for my new display name to show up?
Your new display name appears when ready on your profile and on any new posts you make. If someone is already looking at your profile when you change it, they may need to refresh their browser or close and reopen the app to see the new name.
Can I change my display name back to what it was before?
Yes. There is no limit to how many times you can change your display name. You can change it back to your old name, or to something completely different, whenever you want.