You can change your Steam username directly in your account settings, and it takes about two minutes
Your Steam username — the name that appears to other players — can be changed anytime without losing your games, friends list, or account history. Steam calls this your "Profile Name," and it is separate from your account login credentials. You change it through the Community section of the Steam client or through the Steam website, and there is no limit to how many times you can change it.
The process is the same whether you are on Windows, Mac, or Linux. You do not need to contact Steam support or wait for approval. The change takes effect when ready.
Key Takeaways
- Your Steam username (Profile Name) is different from your login email and password, and changing it does not affect your account security or game library.
- You can change your username through the Steam client by opening your profile, selecting Edit Profile, and typing a new name in the Profile Name field.
- The same change can be made on the Steam website at steamcommunity.com by navigating to your profile and clicking Edit Profile.
- Your new username appears to other players when ready, but your old username may still show in some places for a few hours while the system updates.
Change your username through the Steam client
Open the Steam client on your computer and log in if you are not already. In the top-right corner, click your current username or profile picture to open a dropdown menu. Select "Profile" from that menu.
On your profile page, look for a button labeled "Edit Profile" — it usually appears near the top right. Click it. You will see a field labeled "Profile Name" with your current username already filled in. Delete the old name and type your new username. Steam allows most characters, including spaces and numbers, but some special characters like asterisks or quotation marks are blocked. If you try to use a blocked character, Steam will tell you when ready.
After you type your new name, scroll down and click the "Save Changes" button at the bottom of the page. Your new username is now live.
Change your username on the Steam website
If you prefer not to use the Steam client, you can make the same change through a web browser. Go to steamcommunity.com and log in with your account credentials. Click your profile picture or username in the top-right corner and select "Profile" from the menu.
On your profile page, click "Edit Profile" in the upper right. Find the "Profile Name" field, clear it, and type your new username. Click "Save Changes" at the bottom. The change takes effect when ready, just as it does in the client.
What happens to your old username
Once you change your username, other players will see your new name in their friends list, in-game chat, and on your profile page. Your old username is released and can be used by someone else, though Steam does not when ready make it available — there is typically a delay of several hours.
If you were part of a Steam group or community forum before the change, your posts and comments will still show under your new username. Your game library, achievements, and playtime remain exactly the same. Friends who had you added will still have you in their list, and they will see your new name the next time they refresh their friends list or restart the client.
Usernames that Steam will not allow
Steam blocks usernames that are blank, contain only spaces, or are longer than 32 characters. The system also rejects names that include certain special characters like asterisks, quotation marks, or angle brackets. If you try to save a name that breaks these rules, Steam shows an error message and does not save the change.
Steam does not prevent you from using offensive language or impersonating other players in your username, though the company can force a change if your name violates the Steam Community Guidelines. If another user reports your username as inappropriate, Steam may contact you and ask you to change it. If you do not, your account could face restrictions.
If you cannot find the Edit Profile button
Make sure you are logged into the account you want to change. If you are viewing someone else's profile, you will not see an Edit Profile button. On your own profile, the button should appear near the top right, sometimes next to a "View Profile" button. If you still do not see it, try refreshing the page or clearing your browser cache.
If you are using the Steam client and the Edit Profile option does not appear in the dropdown menu, make sure the client is fully updated. Restart the client and try again. On the website, try a different browser if the button still does not show.
Changing your username back or frequently
There is no penalty for changing your username multiple times. You can change it back to your old name whenever you want, and you can change it again the next day if you choose. Some players change their username regularly for games or events. Steam does not restrict how often you can make changes or charge a fee for doing so.
The only practical limit is that you cannot use a username that another player is currently using. If someone else has taken your old username after you changed it, you cannot reclaim it unless they change theirs first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my username affect my game saves or achievements?
No. Your game library, save files, achievements, and playtime are all tied to your account, not your username. Changing your profile name does not touch any of that data. You will still own all your games and see all your achievements after the change.
Can I change my login email or password at the same time?
Your login credentials are separate from your profile name. To change your email or password, go to Account Details in your account settings, not the Edit Profile page. That is a different process and is handled in the Security section of your account.
What if someone else is using the username I want?
You cannot use a username that is currently taken by another player. Try a variation — add a number, underscore, or different spelling. If the name you want belonged to an inactive account, you may be able to use it eventually, but Steam does not release old usernames on a set schedule.
Does my username change show up in my game friends list right away?
Your new username appears to other players within a few minutes in most cases, though it can take a few hours to show everywhere. Friends may need to restart their game client or refresh their friends list to see the new name when ready.
Can I hide my username or make my profile private?
You cannot hide your username, but you can make your profile private so that only your friends can see it. That setting is in Edit Profile under Privacy Settings. Your username will still be visible to anyone in your friends list or in games you play together.