You can change your Twitch username once every 60 days through your account settings

Twitch lets you change the name you log in with and the display name viewers see on your channel. The login name — called your username — can be changed once every 60 days. Your display name, which is what appears above your chat messages and on your profile, can be changed as often as you want. Both changes happen in the same settings menu, but they work differently and have different limits.

If you have not changed your username before, you have one free change available. After that, each change costs 24.99 USD. The display name change is always free. Most people only need to change their display name, since that is what other users see and interact with. The username is what you use to log in, and changing it is less common.

Key Takeaways

  • Your username (login name) can be changed once every 60 days and costs 24.99 USD after your first free change, while your display name can be changed for free whenever you want.
  • To change either one, go to Settings, then Creator Dashboard, then Account, then Username — you do not need to contact Twitch support.
  • After you change your username, your old name becomes available for someone else to claim after 6 months, so choose a name you plan to keep.
  • Changing your username does not affect your followers, channel history, or any content you have uploaded — everything stays attached to your account.
  • If you want to change your display name only (the name viewers see), you can do that when ready and as many times as you want at no cost.

The difference between username and display name

Your username is the name you type when you log into Twitch. It is unique across the entire platform — no two accounts can have the same username. This is the name in your account URL: twitch.tv/yourname. You can change it once every 60 days, and after your first change, each one costs money.

Your display name is what viewers see when you chat, stream, or post. You can have the same display name as other users. Many streamers keep their username straightforward (like their email prefix) and use their display name for their brand. You can change your display name as often as you want, and it never costs anything.

If you only want to rebrand how you appear to viewers, change your display name. If you need to change the actual login name for security reasons or because you no longer like it, you will be changing your username, which has the 60-day wait and the cost.

How to change your display name (free, anytime)

Open Twitch and log into your account. Click your profile icon in the top right corner and select Settings. On the left menu, click Account. Under the Account section, you will see a field labeled Display Name. Click the pencil icon next to it to edit.

Type your new display name. Twitch allows letters, numbers, underscores, and hyphens. Your display name can be up to 25 characters long. Click Save when you are done. The change takes effect when ready — viewers will see your new name the next time you chat or stream.

You can change your display name back and forth as many times as you want. There is no waiting period and no cost. This is the change most streamers make when they rebrand.

How to change your username (limited to once per 60 days)

Log into Twitch and click your profile icon in the top right. Select Settings, then Account from the left menu. Scroll down to find the Username field. Click the pencil icon next to it.

You will see a message telling you when you can next change your username (if you have changed it before). If you are within the 60-day window, the button will be grayed out and you cannot proceed. If you are past the 60 days, or if this is your first change, you can continue.

Type your new username. It must be between 4 and 25 characters, and can only contain letters, numbers, underscores, and hyphens. Twitch will tell you when ready if the name is already taken. Once you choose an available name, you will be asked to confirm. If this is not your first username change, you will be charged 24.99 USD at this point. Click Confirm to complete the change.

What happens to your old username

When you change your username, your old name does not disappear right away. It becomes unavailable for 6 months. After 6 months, someone else can claim it. This means if you change your username and then change your mind, you cannot get the old one back when ready — you would have to wait 6 months and hope no one else takes it.

Your followers, channel history, videos, and all other content stay attached to your account under your new username. People who followed you before the change will still follow you. Your channel URL changes to reflect your new username, and the old URL will not work anymore.

When to change your username versus your display name

Change your display name if you want to rebrand, try a new name, or match a name you use on other platforms. It is free and when ready, so you can experiment. Many streamers change their display name seasonally or for events.

Change your username only if you have a strong reason. The 60-day wait and the cost mean you should be confident in your choice. Common reasons include security (if you think your account is compromised), privacy (if your username contains personal information), or a permanent rebrand where you want your login name to match your brand.

If you are just starting out and not sure what name you want long-term, use your display name to experiment. Once you have settled on a name you plan to keep for years, you can change your username to match.

Troubleshooting username and display name changes

If the pencil icon next to your username does not appear, you may not have permission to change it yet. Check the message below the field — it will tell you the exact date you can change it again. If you see an error message, try logging out and logging back in, then returning to Settings.

If the name you want is taken, Twitch will show you that when ready. You cannot reserve a name or put yourself on a waitlist. You can only choose from names that are currently available. If someone else has the name you want, you will need to pick something else or wait to see if they abandon the account (which takes years of inactivity).

If you changed your username but your old URL still does not work, wait a few minutes for the change to fully process across Twitch's servers. If it still does not work after an hour, try clearing your browser cache or using a different browser.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username more than once every 60 days?

No. Twitch enforces a 60-day waiting period between username changes. You cannot pay extra to change it sooner. If you are within the 60-day window, the change button will be locked and show you the exact date you can change it again.

Will my followers disappear if I change my username?

No. Your followers, subscribers, and all channel data stay with your account. The only thing that changes is the name people use to find you. People who followed you before will still follow you after the change.

Can I change my display name to something someone else is using?

Yes. Display names are not unique — multiple people can have the same display name. Your username must be unique, but your display name does not have to be. This is why many streamers use a straightforward username and a branded display name.

What if I change my username and then want the old one back?

Your old username becomes available for someone else to claim after 6 months. If no one claims it in that time, you could change your username back to it, but you would have to wait the full 6 months and pay the 24.99 USD fee again. It is safer to choose a username you plan to keep.

Do I need to update my password when I change my username?

No. Your password stays the same. You will log in with your new username and your existing password. You do not need to do anything else after the change is complete.