How to change your Discord username, display name and nickname
Discord has three kinds of names: the unique username, the display name everyone sees and a nickname for a single server. Changing any of them is free. Here is which one to change and how to do it on a computer or a phone.
Three names, three places
| Username | Display name | Server nickname | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unique | Yes | No | No |
| Where it shows | Profile, friend requests, search | DMs and servers by default | Only in one server |
| Characters | a to z, 0 to 9, _, . | Almost anything, even emoji | Almost anything |
| Length | 2 to 32 | 1 to 32 | up to 32 |
| How often | Up to 2 times a week | Any time | Any time, if the server allows |
Most people who want to "change their name on Discord" want the display name: it is what friends see in chats. Change the username when you want a different unique handle, for example a short one you found free.
Before you start
- Verify your account. Discord requires a verified email or phone number to claim a new username.
- Check the format. 2 to 32 characters, lowercase letters, digits, underscore and period, no two periods in a row. Details in Discord username rules.
- Check that the name is free. Usernames are unique; if someone has it, Discord will not accept it.
- Mind the limit. You can change your username up to 2 times per week.
Username on PC or in a browser
Open User Settings
Click the gear next to your name in the bottom left corner of Discord.
In Discord
Press Edit next to Username
On the My Account page, find the Username row and press Edit.
In Discord
Type the new name and your password
Enter the new username, then your current password, and press Done. If the name is free and fits the rules, it is yours right away.
In Discord
Change your username
Enter a new username and your existing password.
UsernameUsername on a phone
In the Discord app on iPhone or Android, tap your avatar in the bottom right corner, open Settings with the gear, then tap Account and choose Username. Type the new name, confirm with your password and save. The rules and the limit are the same as on a computer.
Display name
Your display name is how you appear in DMs and in servers where you have no nickname. It can contain capital letters, spaces, symbols and emoji, from 1 to 32 characters, and you can change it whenever you like.
On a computer: User Settings, then Profiles, then edit the display name. On a phone: tap the You tab with your avatar, then Edit Profile. Changes apply instantly.
Display names are not unique
Anyone can use the same display name as your friend. Before you send money, files or passwords to anyone, check their username, which is unique.
Nickname on one server
A server nickname replaces your display name in a single server. It is handy when a server asks for real names or game nicknames. Open User Settings, then Profiles, then Per-server Profiles, pick the server and set the nickname. Server admins can also set or reset nicknames, and some servers do not allow members to change them.
If something does not work
Username is unavailable
Too many changes
The Edit button asks to verify
Questions
Do I lose friends or servers when I change my username?
No. Your account stays the same: friends, servers, messages and Nitro stay where they are. Only the name others use to find and add you changes, so tell your friends the new one.
Does changing my username cost anything?
No. Username, display name and server nicknames are free to change, and Discord says the new name system is not locked behind Nitro.
What happened to my old name with the #0000 tag?
Discord removed tags. Old usernames with a tag can be shown on your profile as a legacy username badge, so friends recognise you. You can turn the badge off in User Settings, Profiles, with the Legacy Username Badge toggle. You cannot go back to a name with a tag.
Can I get my old username back after changing it?
Only if it is still free. When you change your username, the old one stops being yours and anyone can claim it. If you might want it back, think twice before you change, or put it on a watchlist.
What makes a good new username?
Short, easy to say out loud and easy to type on a phone. Avoid long digit runs and look-alike characters like l and 1. A period or underscore in the middle keeps a name readable: nova.k, kai_x.
Looking for a short name to change to? Read short Discord usernames. Clmify scans names on our servers and tells you when one you want frees up; then you claim it with the steps above. Start on the Discord page.