Guide

How to Change Your Twitter (X) Name and Username

By the Twitxdown Team• Updated July 4, 2026• 6 min read

"Changing your name" on Twitter — now X — can mean two different things, and mixing them up is the most common source of confusion. There's your display name and there's your username (handle). This guide covers both, so you can update whichever one you actually meant.

Display name vs. username

Display name

The bold name at the top of your profile. It can include spaces, emoji, and up to 50 characters, doesn't have to be unique, and changing it does not affect your profile link.

Username (@handle)

The @name in your profile URL (x.com/yourhandle). It must be unique, can be up to 15 characters, and may only use letters, numbers, and underscores. Changing it changes your link.

How to change your display name

This is the quick one and works the same on web and mobile:

Go to your profile.
Tap or click Edit profile.
Change the Name field to whatever you like.
Press Save. The new name appears right away.

How to change your username (@handle)

On desktop:

Click More → Settings and privacy.
Open Your account → Account information.
Select Username.
Type a new handle. X shows in real time whether it's available and suggests alternatives if it's taken.
Click Save.

On iPhone or Android:

Tap your profile icon, then Settings and Support → Settings and privacy.
Go to Your account → Account information → Username.
Enter an available handle and tap Done.

Before you change your handle

Your old @handle becomes free for anyone to grab, and every existing link or @mention pointing to it will break. If people find you through your handle, announce the change in a post first and update it anywhere you've listed it (bio links, other profiles, your website).

Tips for picking a good handle

Keep it short and easy to type — you have up to 15 characters, but fewer is friendlier.
Match it to your name or brand across other platforms for consistency.
Avoid numbers and underscores where possible; they're easy to mistype.
If your ideal handle is taken, a small prefix or suffix often reads better than random digits.

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between my name and my username on X?

Your display name is the bold name on your profile — it can be almost anything and doesn't have to be unique. Your username (or handle) is the @name in your profile URL; it must be unique across X and follows stricter rules.

How many times can I change my username?

There's no fixed limit — you can change your @handle as often as you like, as long as the new one is available and meets the format rules.

What happens to my old username when I change it?

It's released back into the pool and someone else can claim it. Any links, bookmarks, or @mentions pointing to your old handle will no longer reach you.

Do my followers or posts disappear when I change my handle?

No. Changing your username or display name keeps all of your posts, followers, and direct messages intact — only the @handle or shown name changes.

Why can't I change my username?

The handle you want may already be taken, may break the format rules, or your account may be under a temporary name-change restriction. Try a different handle or wait until any restriction is lifted.

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