Instagram username rules
Up to 30 characters; letters, numbers, periods and underscores; no spaces or other symbols; a period can’t be the first or last character or appear twice in a row. Your name field (shown above your bio) is separate and can include spaces.
Tips for a handle that grows with you
- Creators: use the same handle on TikTok and YouTube so people can find you.
- Avoid trends that date quickly (years, current memes).
- Put keywords in your name field rather than cramming them into the handle.
Instagram username rules
- Up to 30 characters.
- Letters, numbers, periods and underscores; no spaces.
- Can’t start or end with a period, or use two periods in a row.
Personal vs business handles
For a business, match your handle to your brand name on every platform so customers can find you. If it’s taken, add a word that says what or where you are: “shop”, “studio”, “hq” or your city. For a personal account, a short, pronounceable name is easier to share out loud.
Starting a business? Try the business name generator first, then find a matching handle here.
Changing your Instagram username
You can change your username in Edit profile. After you change it, your old username may become available to other people, and old links and tags that use it can stop pointing to you, so update your bio links and business cards at the same time.
Before you settle on a handle, search it on Instagram and Google to make sure it isn’t too close to another account or brand, which can confuse followers and lead to reports.
Related generators
- Username Generator: Cool, cute, aesthetic and gamer usernames.
- Nickname Generator: Nicknames from a name, cute and cool.
- Discord Username Generator: Lowercase names that fit Discord’s rules.
Questions people ask
How often can I change my Instagram username?
You can change it in Edit profile. Instagram may limit how often you change it, and your old handle becomes available to others.
Formula checked October 2026 · How we calculate