X (Twitter) Username Checker

X, formerly Twitter, still uses the same @username system: one handle per account, shown in x.com/name and in every reply. Handles are short by design, so good ones go fast. Type a name below to look it up, then read the rules X publishes in its help center.

X (Twitter) username rules

Length	More than 4 characters and no longer than 15 characters.
Allowed characters	Letters A-Z, numbers 0-9 and underscores only. No spaces, dashes or symbols.
Blocked words	Usernames containing "Admin" or the platform's own name are not available to regular users.
Suspended or deactivated names	Names held by suspended or deactivated accounts are not immediately available.
Inactive names	X says it cannot release inactive usernames at this time.

Sources: X Help: how to change your username, X Help: username registration, X Help: inactive account policy, X Help: username squatting policy. Last reviewed 2026-10-13. Platforms change their rules; the linked help pages are the final word.

How to check a X (Twitter) username

Enter the handle without the @. If it has a dash, a period or more than 15 characters, X will not accept it anyway.
Our check asks X's username-availability endpoint about the name. X limits anonymous requests, and on a bad day you will get "Blocked" or "Unknown" instead of an answer.
To check manually, visit x.com/<name>. "This account doesn't exist" is a good sign; a suspension notice means the name is held even though no profile shows.
The settings screen is the real test: Settings and privacy, Your account, Account information, Username. X prompts you if the name is taken.

X (Twitter) username taken? What you can do

X's own suggestion is to add underscores before or after the name, like @_lindsay or @lindsay_.
Use your real name in the display name field (up to 50 characters) and keep the handle short and distinct.
Inactive handles are not released on request. If an account uses your trademark, X's trademark policy is the only route that can lead to a release.
Never pay a stranger for a handle. X treats buying and selling usernames as squatting, and both accounts can be suspended.

How to change your X (Twitter) username

Go to Settings and privacy, then Your account (Account on mobile).
Open Account information and tap Username.
Type the new handle. If it is taken, X asks you to pick another one.
Tap Done or Save. Your followers, posts and verification stay with the account.

Reserved and restricted names

Handles containing "Admin" or the platform name are reserved for X's own accounts. X also prohibits username squatting, including inactively holding names to sell, and impersonation accounts can be suspended.

Tips

Five to ten characters is the sweet spot on X: short enough to fit in replies, long enough to still be free.
After a change, links to x.com/oldname no longer reach you, and the old handle may become available to someone else.
Log in at least every 30 days. X's inactive account policy says long-inactive accounts may be removed.

Frequently asked questions

What is the shortest X username I can register?

X's help center says usernames must be more than 4 characters long, with a maximum of 15.

Will X give me an inactive username?

No. X states that it cannot release inactive usernames at this time; only trademark claims follow a separate process.

Can I use a period or dash in an X handle?

No. Only letters, numbers and underscores are allowed.

Is my Twitter handle the same as my X handle?

Yes. The rebrand did not change usernames; your old @name carried over to X.

More username checkers

WhatsMyName Apps is an independent tool, not affiliated with or endorsed by X (Twitter), the WhatsMyName project, Sherlock or Maigret. Results are leads to verify.