What you can change on your Facebook account
Facebook lets you change the name that appears on your profile, but the login name itself — the username you type into the email or username field when you sign in — works differently depending on how your account is set up. If you created a username when Facebook offered that feature, you can change it once every 14 days. If you've never created a username and only use your email address to log in, you cannot create or change a username through Facebook's standard settings; you would need to contact Facebook support.
Most people actually want to change their display name (the name that shows on their profile and in comments) rather than their login credentials. That process is straightforward and takes about two minutes. The username change, if you have one, is also straightforward but has a waiting period built in.
Key Takeaways
- Your display name (what friends see) and your login name (what you type to sign in) are separate things on Facebook.
- To change your display name, go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then Personal Information, and click next to your name.
- If you have a username, you can change it once every 14 days by going to Settings, then Username, and entering a new one.
- If you only log in with your email address and have never created a username, you cannot add one through the regular settings menu.
- Changes to your display name take effect when ready, but your old name may still appear in some places for a few hours.
How to change your display name on Facebook
Your display name is what appears on your profile and next to your posts and comments. To change it, open Facebook and click the downward arrow in the top right corner (on desktop) or tap the three horizontal lines at the bottom right (on mobile). Select Settings and Privacy, then Settings.
On the left side, click Personal Information. You'll see your name listed at the top. Click the pencil icon or the word "Edit" next to your name. A box will open where you can type your new name. Facebook allows you to include a middle name or nickname if you want. When you're done, click Review Change and then Save Changes. The new name appears on your profile right away, though it may take a few hours to update everywhere on the site.
How to change your username if you have one
A username is the custom web address and login option that some Facebook accounts have — it looks like facebook.com/yourname or yourname@facebook.com. Not every account has one. If you created yours years ago when Facebook offered the feature, you can change it, but there's a 14-day waiting period between changes.
To change your username, go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings. On the left side, look for Username (it may be under Personal Information on mobile). Click next to your current username. Type the new username you want. Facebook will tell you right away if it's already taken or if it contains words that aren't allowed. When you find one that works, click Review and then Save Changes. You won't be able to change it again for 14 days.
Your old username stops working as a login and web address when ready, but if you shared links to your old profile address with others, those links will redirect to your new username for a while.
What to do if you can't find the username option
If you don't see a Username section in your Settings, it means your account was never set up with one. This is common for accounts created in recent years or accounts that only use an email address to log in. Facebook does not allow you to create a username through the regular settings menu if you don't already have one.
If you need a custom web address for your profile, your best option is to contact Facebook through the Help Center. Go to Settings and Privacy, then Help and Support, then Help Center
It's important to understand the difference between these two. Your email address is what you use to sign into Facebook — it's the account recovery method and the way Facebook contacts you. You can change the email address associated with your account, but that's a separate process from changing a username. A username is optional and is mainly for convenience — it lets you log in with a short word instead of a full email address, and it creates a custom profile URL. If you only log in with your email and have never set up a username, you don't have one to change. Changing your email address in Settings does not create a username. The 14-day waiting period exists because usernames are tied to your profile URL and login credentials. If you could change it constantly, it would be straightforward to impersonate someone, abandon a username, and then reclaim it later. The waiting period also prevents people from rapidly cycling through usernames to evade blocks or reports. If you change your username and when ready regret it, you have to wait 14 days before you can change it back. Plan your new username carefully before you save the change. You can test whether a username is available before you commit — Facebook shows you a preview and tells you if it's taken. When you change your display name, the old name disappears from your profile and new posts. However, old posts and comments you made under the previous name will still show that old name in the post history, depending on your privacy settings and how far back people are looking. If you change your username, the old one becomes available for someone else to claim after a waiting period. Any links you shared that pointed to your old username will redirect to your new one for a while, but eventually those old links may stop working. If you've shared your profile link in important places (like a business website or resume), update those links to your new username. You can change your display name as often as you want with no waiting period. If you have a username, you can change it once every 14 days. Plan ahead so you don't waste a change on a name you'll want to switch again soon. Your friends will see your new name on your profile and on any new posts or comments you make. Old posts will still show your previous name unless you edit them. Your friends will not receive a notification that you changed your name. No. Usernames can only contain letters, numbers, periods, and underscores. Spaces and special characters are not allowed. Display names (the name on your profile) can include spaces, accents, and other characters. You'll need to choose a different one. Facebook shows you when ready whether a username is available. You can try variations like adding numbers, underscores, or abbreviations. Once you pick an available username, you cannot change it again for 14 days. No. Your password stays the same. If you have a username, you can log in with either your email address or your username, and both use the same password. Changing the username does not reset or change your password.Usernames versus email login addresses
Why Facebook limits username changes
What happens to your old name and username
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my Facebook name more than once?
Will my friends see my old name if I change it?
Can I use special characters or spaces in my username?
What if the username I want is already taken?
Does changing my username affect my password?