Though used interchangeably, your Twitter username and display name are not the same things. Your username is your unique Twitter handle, the name that appears in your profile URL and allows you. On Twitter, your username serves as both an expression of your personality and a digital address that allows others to direct messages your way on the service. If you’d like to change your Twitter username, you can do so easily on iPhone, iPad, Android, and on the web.
goglobalwithtwitterbanner
- Using Twitter
- Tweets
- Managing your account
- Login and password
- Safety and security
- Security and hacked accounts
- Rules and policies
- Twitter Rules and policies
Your username –– also known as your handle –– begins with the “@” symbol, is unique to your account, and appears in your profile URL. Your username is used to log in to your account, and is visible when sending and receiving replies and Direct Messages. People can also search for you by your username.
Note: Your display name –– referred to as name –– is a personal identifier on Twitter and is separate from your username. It can be things like something playful, a business name, or a real name, and is displayed next to your username. You can update your name at any time.
- Your username must be more than 4 characters long and can be up to 15 characters or less.
- Your username can contain only letters, numbers, and underscores—no spaces are allowed.
- Your display name can be up to 50 characters long.
- Navigate to Settings and privacy and tap Account.
- Tap Username and update the username currently listed in the Username field. If the username is taken, you'll be prompted to choose another one.
- Tap Done.
- Navigate to Settings and privacy and tap Account.
- Tap Username and update the username currently listed in the Username field. If the username is taken, you'll be prompted to choose another one.
- Tap Done.
- Click on the more button from the navigation bar.
- Click on Settings and privacy.
- Click on Your account.
- Click on Account information.
- You will be prompted to type in your Twitter account password to confirm it’s you.
- Under Account information, update the username currently listed in the Username field. If the username is taken, you'll be prompted to choose another one.
- Click the Save button.
Note: Changing your username will not affect your existing followers, Direct Messages, or replies. Your followers will simply see a new username next to your profile photo when you update. We suggest you alert your followers before you change your username so they can direct replies or Direct Messages to your new username. Additionally, please note that once you change your username, your previous username will immediately be available for use by someone else. Is the username you’d like taken or inactive? Read our article about username registration.
![Username Username](/uploads/1/3/4/5/134509583/616178294.jpg)
Bookmark or share this article
Twitter Username Tips
The username I want is taken
If you try to select a username (also known as a handle) and see that it has already been claimed, you will need to select a different one. Remember the following:
- You can list your real name in your profile to provide more information to your followers.
- Adding underscores before or after your desired username will help you claim a unique username on Twitter.
Example: if you would like the username @lindsay but it has been claimed, consider selecting a name like @lindsay_ or @_lindsay.
I see an error message when I try to select my username, but I don’t think it’s taken
Here are the possible reasons why you would be unable to claim a username that seems available:
Twitter Username Ideas
- Usernames containing the words Twitter or Admin cannot be claimed. No account names can contain Twitter or Admin unless they are official Twitter accounts.
- Your username cannot be longer than 15 characters. Your name can be longer (50 characters) or shorter than 4 characters, but usernames are kept shorter for the sake of ease.
- A username can only contain alphanumeric characters (letters A-Z, numbers 0-9) with the exception of underscores, as noted above. Check to make sure your desired username doesn't contain any symbols, dashes, or spaces.
- The username may be claimed by a suspended or deactivated account. Suspended and deactivated usernames are not immediately available for use, so you’ll need to select a different username.
Twitter Username Font
If you try view a suspended or deactivated profile by navigating to their profile, you’ll see a message indicating suspension or deactivation.