Change your Steam username from your account settings

You can change your Steam username directly through your account page without restarting Steam or losing any games. The process takes about two minutes and the new name appears when ready when you log back in. Your old username becomes available for other players to use after you change it.

Steam distinguishes between your account name (what you use to log in) and your profile name (what other players see). This guide covers changing your profile name, which is what shows up in games and on your profile page. Your account name — the one you type at the login screen — cannot be changed once it's created.

Key Takeaways

  • Your profile name is what other players see, and you can change it as many times as you want with no cooldown period.
  • Your account name (login credentials) cannot be changed and is separate from your profile name.
  • Changes take effect when ready, but you may need to refresh your browser or restart Steam to see the new name everywhere.
  • You can revert to any previous username you've used, or pick something completely new.

Step 1: Open your Steam account settings

Start by going to steamcommunity.com in your web browser and log in with your account name and password. Once you're logged in, look for your profile icon or username in the top right corner of the page and click it. A dropdown menu will appear with several options.

Select Profile from this menu. You'll be taken to your public profile page, where your current username and avatar are displayed. This is what other players see when they visit your profile. Take a moment to locate the area where your name appears — it's usually prominently displayed near your profile picture.

Step 2: Find and click the edit profile button

On your profile page, look for an Edit Profile button. This button typically appears near your username and profile picture, often in the upper right area of your profile section. Click it to enter edit mode.

You'll now see your profile information in an editable format. The username field will be highlighted and ready for changes. This is where you enter your new profile name. If you don't see the Edit Profile button, make sure you're viewing your own profile and not someone else's — you can only edit your own account settings.

Step 3: Type your new username and save

Clear the current text in the username field and type your new profile name. Steam usernames can contain letters, numbers, spaces, and most special characters, though some symbols are restricted. There's no character limit, but shorter names are easier for other players to remember and type.

Once you've entered your new name, scroll down and click the Save Changes button. A confirmation message will appear indicating your profile name has been updated. The change takes effect when ready, though it may take a few seconds to appear across all Steam pages and in-game.

What happens to your old username

When you change your profile name, your previous username becomes available for any other Steam user to claim. If you think you might want to use an old username again in the future, consider using a variation instead of changing to something completely different.

Steam keeps a record of all usernames you've used on your account. If you want to go back to a previous name, you can straightforward change your profile name again and type the old one in. There's no waiting period between changes, so you can update your username as often as you like. This flexibility means you're never locked into a decision.

If your new name isn't showing up everywhere

Sometimes your new username appears on your profile page but takes longer to show up in-game or in chat. If this happens, try closing Steam completely and reopening it. This forces the process to refresh your account information from Steam's servers.

If you're viewing your profile in a web browser and the old name still appears, refresh the page or clear your browser cache. Other players should see your new name within a few minutes even if your own view hasn't updated yet. The delay is usually just a matter of Steam's systems syncing across different parts of the platform.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my account name (login username)?

No. Your account name is permanent and cannot be changed. This is the username you type at the Steam login screen. You can only change your profile name, which is what other players see. If you need a different account name, you would need to create a new Steam account.

Is there a cooldown period between username changes?

No. You can change your profile name as many times as you want with no waiting period between changes. There's no limit to how often you update it.

Will changing my username affect my games or friends list?

No. Your games, achievements, playtime, and friends list all stay attached to your account. Only your display name changes. Your friends will see your new username the next time they view your profile or see you online.

What if someone else took the username I want?

If another player is currently using the name you want, you cannot use it until they change their username. You'll need to pick a different name or wait to see if that player changes theirs in the future.

Can I use special characters or spaces in my username?

Most special characters and spaces are allowed in Steam usernames. However, some symbols like quotation marks and certain punctuation marks are restricted. Steam will let you know if a character isn't permitted when you try to save your new name.