You can change your username once every 30 days through Reddit's account settings

Reddit lets you change the name on your account, but only once per month. The change takes effect when ready, and your old username becomes available for someone else to claim after 30 days. You cannot revert to a previous username — once you change it, that old name is gone unless you wait for it to cycle back into the available pool, which can take months or longer depending on Reddit's systems.

The process itself takes about two minutes and requires nothing but access to your account. You do not need to contact Reddit support or provide any special documentation. However, there are some things that stay the same after you change your name: your post history, your comment history, your karma, your saved posts, and your subscriptions all remain attached to your account under the new username.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your username once every 30 days by going to User Settings and selecting Change Username.
  • Your old username becomes available for others to use after 30 days, and you cannot claim it back.
  • All your posts, comments, karma, and saved content stay with your account under your new username.
  • If you have not changed your username before, you may see a one-time option to change it when ready without waiting.
  • The change is permanent for 30 days — you cannot undo it once you confirm.

Steps to change your username on desktop

Open Reddit in a web browser and log in to your account. In the top right corner, click your username or the profile icon. A dropdown menu will appear with several options. Click User settings — this is different from Profile settings, so make sure you choose the right one.

Once you are in User settings, look for the Account tab on the left side of the page. Click it. Scroll down until you see a section labeled Change username. Click the button next to it that says Change. A box will pop up asking you to enter your new username and confirm your password. Type your new username in the first field — it must be between 3 and 20 characters, and can only contain letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores. Reddit will tell you when ready if the name is already taken or breaks the rules. Once you have entered a valid name and your password, click Change to confirm. The change takes effect right away.

Steps to change your username on mobile

Open the Reddit app and tap your profile icon in the top left corner (or bottom right, depending on your phone's operating system). Tap Settings at the bottom of the menu. Scroll down and tap Account. Look for Change username and tap it. Enter your new username — it must be 3 to 20 characters and can only use letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores. Tap Change and enter your password when prompted.

The mobile app works the same way as desktop, but the layout is condensed. If you cannot find the Change username option, make sure you are in Settings and not in your Profile. Some older versions of the Reddit app may have the option in a slightly different location, so if you do not see it after scrolling, try updating the app first.

What happens to your old username

When you change your username, your old one does not disappear when ready. For 30 days, nobody can claim it — it is held in a kind of limbo. After 30 days, it becomes available for anyone else to register. This means someone could eventually use your old username, and if they do, they will see all the posts and comments you made under that name. Your content does not move or hide; it just shows up under a different account name in Reddit's records.

This is why changing your username does not erase your history or make you anonymous. If you posted something under your old username that you want to remove, you need to delete the post or comment yourself — changing your name will not do it. The same applies to your profile: if your old profile had a bio or avatar, those stay visible under your old username even after you change to a new one.

Restrictions and timing on username changes

You can only change your username once every 30 days. This means if you changed your username today, you cannot change it again for another month. Reddit counts this from the date you made the change, not from the calendar month. If you made a mistake or chose a name you do not like, you will have to wait the full 30 days before you can try again.

There is one exception: if your account is brand new and you have never changed your username before, you may see a one-time option to change it without waiting. This is a courtesy Reddit offers to new users who chose a name they regret. Once you use that one-time change, the 30-day rule applies to all future changes. If you do not see this option, your account either already used it or is not new enough to may have access to.

What stays the same after you change your username

Your Reddit account is tied to your email address and password, not your username. When you change your username, you are only changing the display name — everything else about your account remains exactly the same. Your post history, comment history, karma score, saved posts, subscriptions, and awards all stay attached to your account. Anyone who looks at your profile will see all of this under your new username.

Your followers (if you have any) will continue to follow you under your new name. Your messages and chats will still be there. Your moderator status in any subreddits you moderate will not change. The only thing that changes is what people see when they look at your username — the name itself.

If you cannot find the change username option

Make sure you are logged in to the correct account. If you are using a third-party Reddit app instead of the official Reddit app or website, the option may be in a different place or not available at all. Try accessing your account through the official Reddit website or app instead. Go to reddit.com in a browser, log in, and follow the desktop steps above.

If you are using the official app or website and still cannot find the option, your account may be too new. Reddit sometimes restricts certain account features for accounts that are less than a few days old. Wait a few days and try again. If you have already changed your username once, remember that you can only change it once per month — if you changed it recently, you will have to wait until the 30-day window has passed.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Not directly. Once you change your username, the old one goes into a 30-day holding period and then becomes available for anyone to claim. If someone else takes it, you cannot get it back. You could potentially reclaim it if nobody registers it during that 30-day window, but this is not may provide and depends on whether Reddit's system makes it available again.

Will my posts and comments disappear if I change my username?

No. Your posts and comments stay on Reddit under your new username. Anyone who clicks on them will see they were posted by your new username, not your old one. If you want to remove old posts, you have to delete them manually — changing your username does not do this automatically.

What if someone else takes my old username after 30 days?

They will be able to see all the posts and comments you made under that username, since the content is tied to the username itself, not to your account. If this concerns you, delete posts you want to keep private before the 30-day window closes. After someone else claims the name, you cannot reclaim it.

Do I need to change my password when I change my username?

No. Your password is separate from your username and does not need to change. You will still log in using your email address and the same password you used before. Changing your username does not affect your login credentials.

Can I change my username more than once a month?

No. Reddit enforces a 30-day waiting period between username changes. If you change your username today, you cannot change it again until 30 days from today. The only exception is a one-time courtesy change for brand new accounts, which some users may see but not all.