Twitter username checker: is your X username available?
Type the handle you want and find out instantly whether it is free to claim or already taken, checked live against X. If someone has it, we suggest close alternatives.
- 100% free
- No login
- Live public X data
- 5 fresh lookups a day
Availability
An example result for a sample handle. Type the name you want to check it live.
@sample is taken
TakenSample account
@sample · 12.5K followers · 4.3K posts
An illustrative profile. Look up any public username to swap it for live numbers from X.
Close alternatives to try
- @sample_
- @samplehq
- @realsample
- @sampleapp
- @trysample
Suggestions are generated here in your browser. Hit Check to verify one live.
How to check if an X username is available
- 1
Type the username you want
Enter the handle you are hoping for. We validate it against X's rules as you type.
- 2
We check it live on X
The checker looks the name up on X in real time, the same way the signup flow does.
- 3
Available or taken
Free names get a clear available badge with a claim link. Taken names show who holds them.
- 4
Grab an alternative
If it is taken, check the suggested variants until you find one that is free, then claim it.
Picking a username that ages well
- Shorter wins. Every mention costs characters, so a short handle gets tagged more.
- Match the name people search for you by: your name, brand, or product, not a nickname.
- Avoid numbers and trailing underscores when you can; they read as second choice.
- Check the matching domain and other socials before you commit, so the name is consistent everywhere.
Frequently asked questions
What are the rules for X usernames?
Up to 15 characters, using only letters, numbers and underscores. No spaces, hyphens or other symbols, and the words admin and twitter cannot appear in a handle at signup. The checker enforces the same rules before it looks anything up.
Can I claim an inactive username?
Generally no. X does not release most inactive usernames on request, and there is no public waitlist for dormant handles. Trademark holders can file an impersonation report in narrow cases, but for everyone else the practical route is picking a strong variant.
Does checking a username reserve it?
No. A lookup only tells you whether the name is free at that moment. Usernames go to whoever registers them first, so if you find a free one you like, claim it on x.com right away.
Why does a name show as available but signup rejects it?
A few names are reserved or held by suspended and deactivated accounts that no longer show publicly. The checker reads what X exposes publicly, which covers the vast majority of cases, but X's signup flow has the final say.
Is the username checker free?
Yes. You get 5 fresh checks a day with no account, and taken names checked in the last 24 hours load from the cache for free. Once the handle is yours, Xpert helps you grow it with drafts in your voice, scheduling and analytics.
More free tools
- Follower Count CheckerLive follower count and profile stats for any X account.
- Bio GeneratorBuild an X bio that tells people why to follow you, from a few inputs.
- Engagement CheckerLive engagement rate and per-post averages for any public X username.
- Character CounterCount characters and words and stay inside the 280 limit.
Want more than a one-off tool?
Xpert writes in your voice and keeps score.