Handles

How to check username availability everywhere

The same handle on every platform makes you easier to find, easier to tag and harder to impersonate. Here is how to check a username across sites, what to do when it is taken and how to lock it in.

Check a username now with Name Taken

5 min read Updated

01Why consistent handles matter

When someone hears your name, they type it into the app they use. If @yourbrand is someone else on Instagram and you on TikTok, you lose followers and look less trustworthy. Consistent handles also make your marketing simpler: one handle on every flyer, ad and email signature.

02Manual checks per platform

You can check most platforms by visiting the profile URL directly. A "page not found" usually means available, but some platforms reserve inactive or banned handles, so try registering to be sure.

  • Instagram: instagram.com/handle
  • X: x.com/handle
  • TikTok: tiktok.com/@handle
  • YouTube: youtube.com/@handle
  • GitHub: github.com/handle
  • LinkedIn company pages: linkedin.com/company/handle

03Bulk check in one search

Checking six sites by hand for each idea gets slow. A bulk checker tests a handle across platforms at once and shows which ones look available, taken or uncertain, so you can compare several options in minutes.

Check a handle across platforms

04Picking an available handle

If your first choice is taken in a few places, adjust it once and use the same variation everywhere.

  • Add a short modifier: hq, app, studio, co, or your city.
  • Avoid underscores and numbers people won't remember.
  • Keep it under 15 characters so it works on every platform.
  • Check that the variation isn't an existing brand in your field.

05Securing your handles

Register the handle on every major platform the same day, even if you won't post there for months. Add a profile photo and a link to your site so the accounts look official, turn on two-factor authentication and store logins in a password manager.

Free tools for this guide

Frequently asked questions

Can I get a handle that someone else is using?

Only if they give it up. Some platforms release long-inactive handles or handle trademark claims, but don't plan around it.

Why does a free-looking handle fail to register?

Platforms reserve some names and keep deleted or banned handles locked for a while.

Should my handle match my domain?

Ideally, yes. If it can't exactly, keep the same core word and the same modifier everywhere.

How to Check Username Availability Everywhere