You can change your Steam username directly in your account settings without contacting support
Steam lets you change the display name that appears to other players whenever you want, and the process takes less than a minute. You do this through your account settings on the Steam website or in the Steam client itself. Unlike your account name (the login you use to sign in), your display name is what shows up in games, on your profile, and in chat — and you can change it as often as you like with no restrictions or fees.
The steps are the same whether you use a computer or the Steam mobile app, though the exact menu locations differ slightly. You will need to be signed into your Steam account before you start.
Key Takeaways
- Your Steam display name (what other players see) is different from your account name (your login), and only the display name can be changed freely.
- You change your display name through Account Settings on the Steam website or in the Steam client under your profile menu.
- There is no limit to how many times you can change your display name, and the change takes effect when ready across all games and your profile.
- If you forget your account name or cannot sign in, you will need to recover your account through Steam Support before you can change anything.
Changing your username on the Steam website
Open your web browser and go to steampowered.com, then sign in with your account name and password. Once you are signed in, look for your account name or avatar in the top right corner of the page and click it. A dropdown menu will appear with several options.
Click Account from that menu. This opens your account settings page. On the left side, you will see a menu with different sections — look for Profile and click it. Your profile page will load, and you should see your current display name near the top. Click the pencil icon or the edit button next to your name to open the editing field.
Type your new display name into the text box. Steam allows up to 32 characters, including spaces and most symbols. Once you have entered the name you want, click Save or press Enter. The change takes effect when ready, and your new name will appear everywhere — in games, on your profile, in chat, and on any servers you play on.
Changing your username in the Steam client
Open the Steam client on your computer and make sure you are signed in. In the top left, click Steam (on Windows) or Steam (on Mac), then select Settings from the dropdown menu. On Windows, you can also right-click your username at the top of the client window and select View Profile.
Once your profile page opens in the client, look for your display name and click the pencil icon next to it. Type your new name into the field that appears. You can use up to 32 characters. When you are done, click outside the text box or press Enter to save. The change is when ready and will show up the next time you launch a game or refresh your profile.
What happens after you change your name
Your new display name appears when ready on your profile, in your friends list, and in any games you are currently playing or join next. If you are in the middle of a game when you change your name, other players may still see your old name until they restart the game or rejoin the server. Your account name (the one you use to log in) does not change — only what other people see.
Steam keeps a record of your previous display names, but other players cannot see this history. You can change your name back to a previous one or choose something completely different at any time. There is no cooldown period and no limit to how many times you can change it.
If you cannot access your account settings
If you are signed in but cannot find the Account or Profile menu, make sure you are looking in the right place. On the website, the menu is in the top right corner next to your avatar. In the client, it is under the Steam menu in the top left. If those menus do not appear, try signing out and signing back in.
If you cannot sign in at all because you forgot your account name or password, you will need to recover your account first. Go to steampowered.com/login and click Forgot your password? or Can't access your account? Steam will walk you through verifying your identity using the email address or phone number attached to your account. Once you regain access, you can change your display name using the steps above.
The difference between your account name and display name
Your account name is what you type when you log into Steam — it is unique to you and cannot be changed. This is the name Steam uses to identify your account internally. Your display name is what other players see, and it can be anything you want and can be changed as often as you like.
Many people confuse these two because they often start out the same. When you first create a Steam account, you choose an account name, and Steam sets your display name to match it. But from that point on, you can change your display name independently without affecting your login credentials. If you want to change the name you use to sign in, that is not possible through normal settings — you would need to contact Steam Support, and they can only help in specific circumstances like account recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can other players see my old usernames?
No. Steam keeps a record of your previous display names for your own reference, but other players cannot see this history. They only see your current display name.
How long does it take for my new username to show up in games?
The change is when ready on your profile and in the Steam client. In games, it usually appears when ready, but some games cache player names. If you see your old name in a game, restart the game or rejoin the server and it should update.
Is there a limit to how many times I can change my username?
No. You can change your display name as many times as you want with no cooldown period or restrictions. Steam does not charge for name changes.
What if my desired username is already taken?
Display names on Steam are not unique — multiple players can have the same display name. You can use any name you want, even if someone else is already using it. Your account name is what makes your account unique.
Can I change my account name (the one I use to log in)?
No, your account name cannot be changed through settings. If you need to change it for account recovery or security reasons, contact Steam Support with details about your account.