Where to Find the Login Name Setting

Your Facebook login name is the username you type into the login field instead of your email address. To change it, go to the Settings & Privacy menu in the top right corner of Facebook, then select Settings. On the left sidebar, click Personal Information, then find the Username row. Click the pencil icon next to your current username to edit it.

The username field will become active and show your current login name. You can now type a new one directly into that field. Facebook will check in real time whether the name you want is available — if it is taken, you will see a red X next to it. If it is available, you will see a green checkmark.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Facebook username is different from your display name and is what you use to log in or share a profile link.
  • You can change your username once every 60 days, and Facebook will tell you when you are may be able to access to change it again.
  • Usernames must be at least five characters long and can include letters, numbers, periods, and underscores.
  • After you change your username, your old one becomes available for someone else to claim within a few minutes.

What Characters and Lengths Are Allowed

Facebook usernames must be at least five characters long. You can use lowercase letters (a–z), numbers (0–9), periods (.), and underscores (_). You cannot use uppercase letters, spaces, hyphens, or special characters like @, #, or &. If you try to use a character that is not allowed, Facebook will show an error message and prevent you from saving.

Usernames are case-insensitive, meaning Facebook treats "JohnSmith" and "johnsmith" as the same login name. When you create or change a username, Facebook converts it to lowercase in the system, even if you type it with capital letters.

The 60-Day Waiting Period Between Changes

Once you change your username, you must wait 60 days before you can change it again. Facebook displays a message on the Username settings page telling you exactly when you will be able to make your next change. This limit applies whether you change your username intentionally or Facebook changes it for you (which rarely happens).

If you made a mistake and want to change your username when ready, you cannot bypass this waiting period. Plan your username carefully before you save it, because you will be stuck with it for two months. If you are unsure, you can always test a username by typing it into the field to see if it is available before you commit to the change.

How Your Profile Link Changes When You Update Your Username

When you change your username, your Facebook profile link changes too. Your new profile URL will be facebook.com/yournewusername instead of your old one. Any links you shared before the change will no longer work — they will either show an error or direct people to a generic Facebook page.

If you have shared your profile link on a website, resume, or social media, you will need to update those links manually after you change your username. Your friends can still find you by searching your display name (the name that appears at the top of your profile), so changing your username does not make you harder to locate.

What Happens to Your Old Username

Once you change your username, your old one becomes available for someone else to claim. This usually happens within a few minutes. If you change your mind and want your old username back, you will have to wait until the 60-day period has passed, and then hope that no one else has taken it in the meantime.

Because old usernames open up quickly, do not change your username unless you are certain about the new one. If you are just testing or experimenting, use the preview feature instead — type the new username into the field and check if it is available without saving the change.

Difference Between Username and Display Name

Your display name is the name that appears at the top of your profile and in comments and posts. Your username is the login name you type to sign in and the name that appears in your profile URL. You can change your display name as often as you want with no waiting period, but your username has the 60-day limit.

If you want to change how your name appears to friends without affecting your login credentials, change your display name instead. Go to Settings & Privacy, select Settings, click Personal Information, and find Display Name. You can update it there without triggering the 60-day cooldown on your username.

Troubleshooting: Username Not Saving or Showing as Unavailable

If you see a message that your desired username is unavailable, someone else has already claimed it. Try adding a number or underscore to make it unique — for example, "john_smith" or "johnsmith2". If the username contains a character Facebook does not allow, delete that character and try again.

If the save button is grayed out or not responding, refresh the page and try again. Make sure you are using the official Facebook website or app, not a third-party tool or browser extension, because those can interfere with the settings page. If the problem continues, try a different browser or clear your browser cache and cookies, then log back in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username back to what it was before?

Only if no one else has claimed it and you have waited 60 days since your last change. If someone else took your old username, you cannot get it back. You will have to choose a different one.

Does changing my username affect my password or how I log in?

No. Your password stays the same. You can log in using either your email address or your new username — both work. Changing the username does not reset your password or require you to update your login method.

Will my friends see my old username if they look at old messages or posts?

No. Facebook updates your username everywhere on the platform, including in old messages, comments, and posts. Your old username will not appear anywhere on your profile or in your friends' message histories.

What if my username was taken by someone else before I could reclaim it?

You will have to choose a different username. There is no way to request that Facebook return a username to you or remove it from another account. Pick a new username that is available and save it before the 60-day period ends if you want to change again.

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

No. Facebook only allows letters, numbers, periods, and underscores. Hyphens, spaces, @ symbols, and other special characters will cause an error. Stick to the allowed characters when creating or changing your username.