Where to change your username

You change your Riot username through the Riot Games account website, not through the game client itself. Go to account.riotgames.com, sign in with your email and password, and look for the account settings or profile section. The username field is usually labeled "Summoner Name" or "In-Game Name" depending on which Riot game you play.

The exact location shifts slightly between Riot's different games — Valorant, League of Legends, and Teamfight Tactics all use the same Riot account but may show the setting in slightly different places. Once you are signed in, search the page for "name" or "username" if you cannot find it when ready. Most accounts show it near the top of the settings page.

Key Takeaways

  • You must change your username on account.riotgames.com, not in the game client itself.
  • The first change is free, but each change after that costs 1,380 Riot Points (the premium currency).
  • Your new username takes effect when ready in-game, but you cannot use the same name twice or revert to an old name you used before.
  • Usernames must be between 3 and 16 characters, contain only letters, numbers, spaces, and hyphens, and cannot start with a number.

The cost of changing your username

Your first username change is free. After that, each change costs 1,380 Riot Points. Riot Points are purchased with real money, and the smallest bundle usually costs around $10 USD, though pricing varies by region and currency. If you have earned Riot Points from battle passes or events, you can use those instead of buying new ones.

Before you change your name, decide whether you want to keep the old one. Once you change away from a username, you cannot use it again, and nobody else can claim it either — it stays locked to your account even if you never use it. This means you cannot swap names back and forth with another player or recycle an old name you liked.

What names are allowed and what are not

Riot has rules about what you can name yourself. Your username must be between 3 and 16 characters long. You can use letters (a–z, A–Z), numbers (0–9), spaces, and hyphens, but nothing else — no special characters like underscores, periods, or symbols. Your name cannot start with a number, and it cannot be only numbers.

Riot also blocks names that are offensive, impersonate real people or celebrities, or violate their terms of service. If you try to create a name that breaks these rules, the website will reject it and tell you why. Common rejections happen when people try to use symbols, start with a number, or use a name that is too short.

How long the change takes to show up

Your new username appears in-game almost when ready after you confirm the change on the website. You do not need to restart the game or log out and back in — within a few seconds, your profile and in-game name will reflect the new username. Other players will see the new name the next time they look at your profile or encounter you in a match.

The only delay happens if you are currently in a game when you make the change. The old name will show for the rest of that match, and the new one will appear in your next game. This is normal and not a sign that something went wrong.

What happens to your rank and match history

Changing your username does not affect your rank, your match history, or any of your game progress. All your statistics, wins, losses, and achievements stay attached to your account. Other players can still find your old match history by searching your new username, and your rank will display under the new name when ready.

If you are worried about being tracked or found by other players, changing your username alone will not hide your account — your rank, region, and match history are still visible to anyone who searches for you. Your account ID (a number behind the scenes) never changes, so determined players can still find you even after a name change.

Troubleshooting a rejected username

If the website rejects your chosen name, the most common reasons are: it contains a character that is not allowed (like an underscore or period), it is too short (fewer than 3 characters), it starts with a number, or it is already taken by another player. The error message usually tells you which rule you broke. Try removing special characters first, then check that your name is at least 3 characters and does not start with a number.

If the name is already taken, you cannot use it — someone else owns it. You will need to pick a different name. If you believe the name violates Riot's terms and should not be in use, you can report it through the support website, but Riot will not release a taken name just because you want it.

Changing your username on console or mobile

If you play Valorant on a console or mobile device, you still change your username through the same account.riotgames.com website. There is no in-game option on console or mobile to change your name. Sign in to your Riot account on a computer or phone browser, make the change, and it will take effect across all devices where you play.

The process is identical whether you play on PC, console, or mobile — the change happens at the account level, not the device level. Once you confirm the new name on the website, it shows up everywhere you play.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username back to one I used before?

No. Once you change away from a username, you cannot use it again, even if you were the one who created it. The old name stays locked to your account permanently. If you want to use a previous name, you will have to pick something different.

What if someone else took the username I want?

If the name is already in use by another player, you cannot have it. Riot does not release usernames from inactive accounts or let you claim a name someone else owns. You will need to choose a different name or wait to see if the other player changes theirs (which you have no way to know).

Do I lose my rank or progress if I change my username?

No. Your rank, match history, statistics, and all progress stay exactly the same. The change only affects what name appears above your character in-game and on your profile. Everything else tied to your account remains unchanged.

Can I change my username more than once?

Yes, but only the first change is free. Each change after that costs 1,380 Riot Points. You can change your username as many times as you want if you are willing to pay, but remember that you cannot reuse old names or change back to a previous one.

Will my friends still be able to find me after I change my name?

Yes. Your friends list does not break when you change your username — you stay on their friends list under your new name. Anyone searching for you by your new name will find you when ready. Your account ID never changes, so you are always findable by anyone who knows your account.