You can change your Steam username directly in your account settings

Your Steam username is the name other players see when you're in a game or on your profile. To change it, log into your Steam account on your computer, click your username in the top right corner, and select "Account" from the dropdown menu. On the Account page, look for the "Profile" section on the left side and click "Edit Profile." Your current username appears near the top — click the pencil icon next to it to edit.

Type your new username into the text field. Steam usernames can be up to 32 characters long and can include letters, numbers, spaces, and some special characters like hyphens and underscores. Once you've entered your new name, click "Save Changes" at the bottom of the page. The change takes effect when ready, and other players will see your new username the next time you appear in a game or they visit your profile.

Key Takeaways

  • You change your username through Account settings, not through a separate profile page or support ticket.
  • The username can be up to 32 characters and can include letters, numbers, spaces, hyphens, and underscores.
  • Changes appear when ready across all your games and your public profile.
  • You can change your username as many times as you want with no cooldown period or fee.

Where to find the username field on the Account page

After you click "Edit Profile," the page shows several sections. Your username field is in the top section labeled "Profile Information" or sometimes just at the very top of the page. It's the field that currently displays your existing username. If you don't see it when ready, scroll up — it's never buried below other settings.

The pencil or edit icon next to your username makes the field active so you can type. Some users miss this step and try to click directly in the text field without clicking the edit icon first. Click the icon, then the field becomes editable and you can select all the text and replace it.

What happens to your old username after you change it

When you change your username, your old name becomes available for other Steam users to claim. Steam does not reserve your previous usernames, so if you change from "PlayerOne" to "PlayerTwo," another user can register "PlayerOne" when ready. This is different from your Steam ID number, which never changes and stays tied to your account forever.

Your friends list, game library, achievements, and playtime all stay exactly the same. The change is purely cosmetic — it only affects what name appears next to your account. Your Steam ID (a long number visible on your profile) remains your permanent identifier behind the scenes.

Changing your username on mobile or the Steam app

You cannot change your username through the Steam mobile app or the Steam Deck interface. You must use a web browser on a computer or phone to log into your Steam account and access the Account settings page. Open a web browser, go to steampowered.com, log in, and follow the same steps: click your username, select Account, then Edit Profile.

If you're on a phone, the mobile website works the same way as the desktop version. The steps are identical — you'll just be working on a smaller screen. The mobile app itself does not include account settings for changing your username, so the browser method is your only option.

Usernames that Steam will not allow

Steam blocks usernames that contain hate speech, slurs, or references to illegal activity. The system also rejects names that impersonate Steam staff, Valve employees, or well-known public figures. If you try to save a username and it fails, Steam usually displays a message explaining why — most commonly that the name violates the Community Guidelines or contains prohibited language.

Usernames that are already taken by another account will also be rejected. Steam does not show you a list of taken names before you try to save, so you may need to try a few variations. If your first choice doesn't work, add a number, underscore, or different word and try again.

How your username appears in different places

Your Steam username shows up in your public profile, in the friends list of anyone who has added you, in game lobbies and chat, and in your activity feed. When you're playing a multiplayer game, other players see your Steam username by default — though some games let you set a separate in-game nickname that overrides it. The Steam username is what appears on your profile page and in the Steam Community.

If your profile is set to private, fewer people can see your username on your profile page, but it still appears to anyone in a game with you or in your friends list. Changing your username does not change your privacy settings — those are separate controls also found in your Account settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Only if no one else has claimed it since you changed away from it. Because old usernames become available when ready, another user may have registered your previous name. If that happened, you cannot use it again unless that person changes their username first.

Is there a limit to how many times I can change my username?

No. Steam allows unlimited username changes with no cooldown period and no fee. You can change it as often as you want, though changing it very frequently may confuse your friends about who you are.

Will my games or achievements be affected if I change my username?

No. Your game library, playtime, achievements, and all account data stay exactly the same. Only the display name changes. Your Steam ID number, which is your permanent account identifier, never changes.

What if I forgot my current username?

Log into your Steam account and look at the top right corner — your current username is displayed there. You can also visit your profile page while logged in to see your username. If you cannot log in, use the "Forgot your login?" option on the Steam sign-in page to recover your account.

Can I use special characters or emojis in my username?

You can use hyphens, underscores, and some other special characters, but not emojis. Steam limits usernames to standard text characters. If you try to paste an emoji or unsupported character, Steam will reject the change and ask you to use only allowed characters.