How to Change Username and Display Name on Discord

This guide walks you through changing both your Discord username (the unique identifier with numbers after it) and your display name (the name shown in servers and friend lists). You’ll need to be logged into Discord on either the desktop app, web browser, or mobile app—no special permissions are required for your own account.

What You’ll Need

Access to your Discord account (logged in)
Discord app (desktop, web, or mobile) with an internet connection
For changing your username: your current password (if you haven’t logged in recently) and a new username that meets Discord’s requirements (2–32 characters, letters, numbers, underscores, and periods only)

Step-by-Step

Changing Your Username (The Global Identifier)

Open Discord – Launch the Discord app on your computer or phone, or go to discord.com in a web browser.
Go to User Settings – Click the gear icon (⚙️) next to your avatar at the bottom-left corner of the app (desktop/web) or tap your avatar in the bottom-right corner and then tap the gear icon (mobile).
Select “My Account” – In the left sidebar, click or tap “My Account” (this is usually the first option under “User Settings”).
Click the “Edit” button – Next to your username (which looks like username#1234 or just username if you’ve migrated to the new username system), click the “Edit” button.
Enter your new username – In the pop-up window, type your desired username. Discord will show a green checkmark if it’s available, or a red “taken” message if not. Your username must be 2–32 characters long and can contain letters, numbers, underscores, and periods.
Confirm with your password – If prompted, enter your Discord password to confirm the change. (This happens if you haven’t recently verified your login.)
Click “Done” – Once you’ve entered a valid, available username and confirmed, click “Done” to save. Your username is now changed globally across all servers.

Changing Your Display Name (Per-Server Nickname)

Join or be in a server – Display names are set individually for each server. You must be a member of the server where you want to change it.
Right-click (or long-press) your name in the member list – In the server’s member list (right sidebar), find your name. Right-click it on desktop/web, or tap and hold on mobile.
Select “Change Nickname” – From the context menu, choose “Change Nickname.” (If you don’t see this option, the server may have disabled nickname changes for members—see Common Mistakes.)
Type your new nickname – Enter the name you want to appear as in that server. It can be up to 32 characters and can include spaces, emojis, and special characters (unlike your global username).
Click “Save” – Press Enter or click the save button. Your display name in that server is now updated. Other members will see this name instead of your global username.

Note: If you want to change your display name for a server where you have administrator permissions, you can also do it via Server Settings → Overview → Server Name (that’s for the server itself), but for your own nickname, the steps above work.

Common Mistakes

Using invalid characters in your username – Discord usernames only allow letters (a-z, A-Z), numbers (0-9), underscores, and periods. Spaces, emojis, or symbols like @ or # will be rejected.
Choosing a username that’s already taken – If you see a red error, that username is in use. Try adding numbers or underscores to make it unique.
Forgetting that display names are per-server – Changing your nickname in one server doesn’t affect your nickname in other servers. You must repeat the process for each server.
Not having permission to change your nickname – Some servers restrict nickname changes. If the “Change Nickname” option is grayed out, the server admin has disabled it for your role.
Using the wrong section in settings – The “My Account” section is for your global username, not your per-server display name. Don’t confuse the two.

Tips

Use the same display name across servers for consistency – If you want to be recognized easily, set the same nickname in all your active servers.
Check username availability early – Popular names get taken fast. If your desired username is taken, try a variation with underscores or numbers.
Use the mobile app for quick changes – The mobile app has the same options; tap your avatar in the bottom-right, then the gear icon, and follow the same steps.
Remember your username change affects your @mention – When someone types @yourusername, they’ll use your new username. Your old username will no longer work for mentions.

Troubleshooting

I don’t see the “Edit” button next to my username – Make sure you’re on the “My Account” screen, not the “Profile” tab. The Edit button appears as a small pencil icon next to your username.
My new username is rejected as “taken” but I think it’s free – Discord usernames are case-insensitive and unique. If you see “taken,” try a different variation. Sometimes adding a period or underscore helps.
I changed my username but it didn’t update everywhere – It may take a few minutes for the change to propagate across all servers and DMs. Log out and back in if it doesn’t appear after a while.
I can’t change my nickname in a server – Check if the server has “Change Nickname” permission enabled for your role. If not, contact a server admin to enable it, or ask them to change your nickname manually.
I forgot my password and can’t confirm the username change – You’ll need to reset your password first. Go to the Discord login page and click “Forgot your password?” to reset it via email.
My display name shows as my username in some places – In DMs and some server lists, Discord may show your global username by default. Your display name is only used in the server where you set it, and in the member list and chat messages within that server.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username for free?

Yes, changing your username is free. Discord does not charge for username changes, though there is a rate limit (you can only change it a few times per hour).

What’s the difference between a username and a display name?

Your username is your global identifier (like coolguy#1234 or just coolguy if you have the new system). It’s unique and used for friend requests and mentions. Your display name (nickname) is per-server and can be anything, even the same as someone else’s.

Will changing my username affect my friend list or server roles?

No, your friends, server memberships, and roles are tied to your account ID, not your username. Changing your username won’t affect any of that.

Can I use spaces or emojis in my username?

No. Usernames only allow letters, numbers, underscores, and periods. Spaces, emojis, and other symbols are not allowed. However, display names (nicknames) can contain spaces and emojis.

How often can I change my username?

Discord limits username changes to prevent abuse. You can typically change it a few times per hour, but the exact limit isn’t public. If you try too often, you’ll see a message saying to wait.

If I change my username, will my old username become available for someone else?

Yes, once you change your username, your old one is released and can be taken by anyone, including you later (if it’s still available).

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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