Where to change your username

You change your Activision username through your account settings on Battle.net, not through Call of Duty itself. Log into your Battle.net account at battle.net, click your account name in the top right corner, and select "Account Settings." From there, click "Battletag" — this is what other players see when you play.

Your Battletag is separate from your Battle.net login email. You can change the Battletag without changing how you sign in. This is the name that appears in Call of Duty lobbies, on your profile, and in friend lists.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Battletag is the player name others see in Call of Duty, and you change it in Battle.net Account Settings, not in the game itself.
  • You can change your Battletag once every 30 days at no cost, but changing it more frequently requires payment.
  • The name you choose must be between 3 and 16 characters, cannot contain spaces, and cannot include certain words Activision has blocked.
  • After you change your Battletag, the change takes effect when ready in Call of Duty and all other Blizzard games tied to that account.

The 30-day change window and paid changes

Activision lets you change your Battletag once every 30 days for free. If you want to change it again before 30 days have passed, you will need to pay a fee. The cost varies by region but is typically a few dollars.

To check when you can next change your name for free, go to your Battle.net Account Settings, click "Battletag," and look for the date listed under "Last Changed." If you have already used your free change recently, the system will show you the option to pay for an when ready change instead.

What names are allowed and what gets blocked

Your new Battletag must be between 3 and 16 characters long and can include letters, numbers, and hyphens. Spaces are not allowed. Activision blocks certain words and phrases — usually profanity, slurs, or references to real people — so if you try to create a name with blocked content, the system will reject it and ask you to choose something else.

If the name you want is already taken by another player, you will also see a rejection message. Try adding a number or hyphen to make it unique. The system will suggest alternatives if you want them.

Steps to change your Battletag right now

Open a web browser and go to battle.net. Sign in with your Battle.net email and password. Click your account name in the top right corner and select "Account Settings."

Click "Battletag" in the left menu. You will see your current name and a button that says "Edit Battletag" or "Change Battletag." Click it. Type your new name in the box that appears. The system will tell you when ready if the name is taken or blocked. If it is available, click "Save" or "Confirm."

The change takes effect right away. When you launch Call of Duty next, you will see your new name in the lobby and on your profile. Friends will see the new name too, but your friend list itself does not change — they do not have to re-add you.

What happens to your stats and progress

Changing your Battletag does not affect your rank, weapons, cosmetics, or any other progress in Call of Duty. Your account remains the same; only the display name changes. All your unlocked items, battle pass progress, and multiplayer rank stay exactly where they were.

Your match history and leaderboard placement are tied to your account, not your name, so those carry over as well. If you were ranked in a playlist before the change, you will still be ranked in that playlist after.

If you cannot find the Battletag option

If you log into Battle.net and do not see a "Battletag" section in Account Settings, your account may not have a Battletag yet. This sometimes happens with very old Battle.net accounts that were created before Battletags existed. In that case, you will see a button to "Create Battletag" instead of "Edit Battletag."

Click it and follow the same steps — choose a name between 3 and 16 characters, avoid blocked words, and confirm. Once created, you can change it once every 30 days like any other account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Battletag back to what it was before?

Yes, as long as no one else has claimed that name. If another player has taken your old Battletag since you changed it, you cannot use it again unless they change theirs first. You can try to reclaim it once the 30-day window opens.

Does changing my Battletag affect my friends list?

No. Your friends will see your new name the next time they log in, but they do not have to re-add you or do anything on their end. The friendship connection is tied to your account, not your name.

What if I see an error message when I try to save my new name?

The most common errors are: the name is already taken, the name contains blocked words, the name is too short or too long, or you have already used your free change within the last 30 days. Read the error message — it will tell you which one it is. Try a different name or wait until your 30-day window resets.

Can I change my Battletag on my phone or console?

No. You must change it through the Battle.net website on a computer or mobile web browser. You cannot do it from inside Call of Duty or from the console settings. Once you change it on Battle.net, the new name will show up on your console the next time you launch the game.