How to use the handle checker

The handle checker answers one question: can this exact name work everywhere I want to exist? Here is how to read what it tells you.

Start with the summary card

Type a handle and the summary above the platform cards gives the verdict: Works on all N platforms in green, or Valid on k of N with the count. When the name fails somewhere, the summary also computes the nearest version that satisfies every selected platform at once, with a Use everywhere button that swaps it in. That suggestion is often the actual answer: the name you should claim instead.

Reading a platform card

Each card shows the platform, a pass or fail verdict, and when the name fails, two things: the specific rule it breaks in plain language, and the nearest valid version for that platform with a copy button. So tapas_designs on the Facebook card shows the underscore problem and offers tapas.designs, while the same name passes untouched on Instagram.

The Check availability link opens the actual profile URL for the handle on that platform. A profile that exists means taken; an empty page usually means free. That is manual, deliberately: it is the only honest availability check that exists, and it takes one tap per platform.

Adding the optional platforms

WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook are always on. The chips add X, TikTok, Threads, and YouTube. Add only the platforms you genuinely intend to use, because each one tightens the intersection: X in particular caps everything at 15 characters and bans periods, which disqualifies many otherwise fine names. The strategy of satisfying the strictest platform first is covered in one username everywhere.

The working sequence

1. Type your first-choice name and read the summary.
2. Toggle in the platforms you actually use.
3. If anything fails, take the universal suggestion or generate alternatives via Generate more ideas, which carries your name into the generator.
4. Verify availability with the profile links, strictest platform first.
5. Claim the winner everywhere the same day, then treat it as canon per the branding guide.

Press / to focus the input from anywhere on the page, and Escape to clear it.