Change your Battle.net username through the account settings page

To change your Battle.net username, log into your account at battle.net, go to Account Settings, select the Profile tab, and click the edit icon next to your username. You can enter a new username there, but you have limits: you get one free change, and after that each change costs $9.99. The new name must be between 3 and 12 characters, use only letters and numbers, and cannot match a name already taken by another player.

The change takes effect when ready after you confirm it. Your old username becomes available for someone else to claim after 30 days. If you play Blizzard games like World of Warcraft, Overwatch, or Diablo, your new Battle.net username will show up in all of them.

If you have never changed your username before, you should see the free change option clearly marked on the Profile tab. After you use the free change, the system will show you the $9.99 fee for any future changes.

Key Takeaways

  • Your first username change is free; every change after that costs $9.99 through the Battle.net website.
  • Usernames must be 3 to 12 characters long and contain only letters and numbers, with no spaces or special characters.
  • The change takes effect right away, and your old username becomes available to other players after 30 days.
  • Your new username appears across all Blizzard games tied to your account, including World of Warcraft, Overwatch, and Diablo.

What counts as a valid Battle.net username

Battle.net usernames have specific rules about what characters and length are allowed. Your username must be between 3 and 12 characters long. You can use uppercase and lowercase letters (A–Z, a–z) and numbers (0–9), but no spaces, hyphens, underscores, or special characters like @, #, or $.

The system will reject a name if another player already has it. Usernames are not case-sensitive, so "JamesRod" and "jamesrod" are treated as the same name. If you want a name that is close to an existing one, you will need to add numbers or change the spelling.

Blizzard also blocks usernames that contain profanity, slurs, or references to real public figures. If you try to use a name that violates these rules, the system will tell you it is unavailable and ask you to pick something else.

How to find your current Battle.net username

Your Battle.net username appears at the top of the Account Settings page once you log in. Look for your profile picture and name in the upper right corner of the battle.net website, or click on your account icon to see your username displayed there.

In most Blizzard games, you can also see your username in the game client itself. Open the game, look at the top of the launcher or in your profile section, and your Battle.net username will be listed. If you play World of Warcraft, your Battle.net username is different from your character name — your character name is what other players see in the game world, while your Battle.net username is what appears in friend requests and party invites.

Understanding the cost and limits on username changes

Blizzard gives every account one free username change. After you use that free change, each additional change costs $9.99 and can be done through the Account Settings page. There is no limit to how many times you can change your username after the first one, as long as you pay the fee each time.

The $9.99 charge appears on your account statement as a Battle.net service charge. If you use a payment method linked to your Battle.net account, the fee will be charged to that method. You can also use a gift card or prepaid balance if you have one on file.

If you change your mind right after changing your username, contact Blizzard Support to see if they can reverse the change within a short window. They do not always grant reversals, but it is worth asking if the change was very recent.

What happens to your old username after you change it

When you change your username, your old name does not disappear right away. It stays reserved under your account for 30 days. During that time, no other player can claim it, and you cannot use it again on a different account. After 30 days, the old username becomes available for any other player to take.

Friends who had you added under your old username will still see you in their friends list, but your name will update to the new one. In games like World of Warcraft, your old username will no longer appear in chat or on your character's profile — only your new username will show.

If you want to keep a username reserved and prevent someone else from using it, you cannot do that by changing your name. The only way to keep a name reserved is to keep it as your active username.

Troubleshooting common username change problems

If you see a message that says "This username is unavailable," it means another player already has that name or it violates Blizzard's naming policy. Try adding numbers to the end, changing a letter, or picking a different name altogether. The system will tell you when ready if a name is taken, so you can try alternatives without waiting.

If the edit button does not appear on your Profile tab, your account may have a restriction on it. This can happen if your account has been flagged for suspicious activity or if there is a billing issue. Contact Blizzard Support to find out why the change option is blocked and what you need to do to unlock it.

If you paid the $9.99 fee but the change did not go through, check your email for a confirmation message from Blizzard. If you do not see one, log back into Account Settings and try the change again. If the charge went through but the username did not update, contact Blizzard Support with your transaction ID and they can investigate.

How username changes affect your gaming accounts and friends

Your Battle.net username is the account name that ties together all your Blizzard games. When you change it, the new name shows up in World of Warcraft, Overwatch 2, Diablo IV, Hearthstone, and any other Blizzard game on your account. Your character names in those games stay the same — only your account name changes.

Friends who have you added will still see you in their friends list after you change your username. Their client will update to show your new name automatically. You do not need to re-add friends or have them re-add you. However, if someone was looking for you by your old username, they will not find you that way anymore after 30 days.

If you are in a guild or clan in any Blizzard game, your new username will appear in the guild roster. Guild leaders and officers will see the change reflected in their member list.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username if I have an active subscription or pending charges?

Yes, you can change your username even if you have an active subscription. However, if your account has an unpaid bill or a failed payment, Blizzard may block the change until you settle the balance. Check your Account Settings under Billing to see if there are any outstanding charges.

What if the username I want is taken but the player is inactive?

Blizzard does not remove usernames from inactive accounts, so an inactive player's username stays reserved to them indefinitely. You cannot claim a taken username even if the account has not been used in years. You will need to choose a different name.

Do I have to change my character name when I change my Battle.net username?

No. Your Battle.net username and your character name are separate. You can change your Battle.net username without touching your character names, and vice versa. Character name changes are handled differently and cost extra if you want to do them.

Can I see a history of usernames I have used on this account?

Blizzard does not show a public history of past usernames on your profile. Only you can see your username change history by logging into Account Settings. Other players cannot see what your old usernames were.

What if I want to use a username that looks like a Blizzard employee or famous player?

Blizzard blocks usernames that impersonate real people, including public figures and Blizzard staff. If you try to use a name that is too similar to a known person, the system will reject it. You will need to pick a name that is clearly your own.