You can change your Minecraft username once every 30 days through your Microsoft account

Your Minecraft username is the name other players see when you join servers and play multiplayer games. If you want a different name, you change it through the Microsoft account that owns your Minecraft license — not through the game itself. The process takes about five minutes and costs nothing.

Microsoft allows one username change every 30 days. If you changed your name recently, you will see a countdown timer telling you when you can change it again. You cannot bypass this limit, and it applies whether you changed the name intentionally or had it changed by someone else.

Key Takeaways

  • Go to account.microsoft.com, sign in with the email and password for your Minecraft account, and look for the "Your Info" or "Profile" section.
  • Find the field labeled "Minecraft Profile Name" or "Gamertag" and click the edit or pencil icon next to it to change the name.
  • Type your new username, check that it follows Minecraft's naming rules (letters, numbers, and underscores only; 3 to 16 characters), and save the change.
  • The new name takes effect when ready in multiplayer games, but may take a few minutes to show up in your launcher or friends' friend lists.
  • If you see an error message saying the name is taken or unavailable, try a different name — popular names are claimed quickly.

Step-by-step: changing your username on the Microsoft website

Open a web browser and go to account.microsoft.com. Sign in using the email address and password you use to log into Minecraft. If you use a Microsoft account (an email ending in @outlook.com, @hotmail.com, or @live.com) or a personal Microsoft account linked to another email, use those credentials.

Once you are signed in, look for a section called "Your Info," "Profile," or "Account Settings" — the exact label depends on which version of the Microsoft account page you see. Click on it. You should see a field that says "Minecraft Profile Name," "Gamertag," or sometimes just "Username." Next to this field, there will be a small pencil icon or an "Edit" button. Click it.

A text box will appear with your current username highlighted. Delete the old name and type your new one. Minecraft usernames must be between 3 and 16 characters long and can contain only letters (a–z, A–Z), numbers (0–9), and underscores (_). Spaces, hyphens, and special characters are not allowed. Once you have typed the new name, click "Save" or "Confirm."

What happens if your new username is already taken

If the name you chose is already in use by another player, Microsoft will show an error message saying the name is unavailable. You will need to choose a different name. Popular names, especially short ones or names of famous games and streamers, are claimed within hours of becoming available, so if you want a specific name, try changing your username during off-peak hours (early morning or late night in your time zone).

You cannot reserve a name or put yourself on a waiting list. The only way to get a taken name is if the player who owns it has not logged into Minecraft for a very long time and Microsoft recycles the name — this happens rarely and unpredictably. If a name you want is taken, adding numbers or an underscore (like "YourName_1" or "YourName123") is usually faster than waiting.

How long the change takes to show up everywhere

Your new username takes effect when ready in multiplayer games and on servers. Other players will see your new name the next time you join a world or server. However, the change may take a few minutes to show up in your Minecraft launcher, in your friends' friend lists, or on websites that track player statistics. This delay is normal and does not mean anything went wrong.

If you are playing on a server when you change your name, you may need to log out and log back in for the server to recognize the new name. Single-player worlds will show your new name the next time you load them.

The 30-day waiting period between changes

After you change your username, you must wait 30 days before you can change it again. This timer starts the moment you save the new name, not when it appears in the game. If you try to change your username before 30 days have passed, you will see a message telling you when you can change it next.

This rule exists to prevent players from impersonating others or evading bans by constantly switching names. There is no way to reset the timer early, and Microsoft support will not make exceptions. If you change your name by mistake, you will have to wait the full 30 days to change it back.

What to do if you cannot access your Microsoft account

If you have forgotten your password, use the "I forgot my password" link on the Microsoft sign-in page. Microsoft will send a recovery code to the email address or phone number associated with your account. If you no longer have access to that email or phone number, you will need to go through Microsoft's account recovery process, which can take several days.

If someone else changed your Minecraft username without your permission, change your Microsoft account password when ready. Then go to account.microsoft.com, sign in, and change your Minecraft username back. If you cannot sign in because someone changed your password, use the account recovery process to regain access. Microsoft support can help, but response times vary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my username delete my worlds or progress?

No. Your worlds, achievements, and inventory stay exactly the same. Only the name that appears above your character changes. All your single-player worlds and multiplayer progress are tied to your Microsoft account, not your username.

Can I change my username on the Minecraft launcher instead of the website?

No. The launcher does not have a username-change option. You must go to account.microsoft.com to change it. Some third-party launchers may show a link to the Microsoft account page, but the actual change happens on Microsoft's website.

What if I play Minecraft Java Edition and Minecraft Bedrock Edition?

Both versions use the same Microsoft account and the same username. When you change your username, it changes for both editions at the same time. You cannot have different names on Java and Bedrock.

Can I use special characters or spaces in my username?

No. Minecraft usernames can only contain letters, numbers, and underscores. Spaces, hyphens, periods, and other special characters will cause an error. If you want to separate words, use underscores instead (like "Player_Name" instead of "Player Name").

How do I know if my username change actually saved?

After you click "Save" or "Confirm," you should see a confirmation message or be taken back to your account page showing the new name. If you see an error message instead, the change did not save. Try again, making sure the name follows the rules and is not already taken.