You can change your Steam username directly in your account settings, and it takes about two minutes

Your Steam username — the display name other players see — is separate from your Steam account ID, which is a permanent number assigned when you create your account. The display name can be changed as often as you want, at no cost, through your account settings. Your account ID stays the same and cannot be changed; it's what Steam uses to track your library, friends list, and playtime across all games.

The process works the same whether you're on Windows, Mac, or Linux, and you can do it from the Steam client or the web browser version of Steam.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Steam username (display name) and your Steam account ID are different things — you can change the username but not the account ID.
  • To change your username, open Steam, go to your profile, select "Edit Profile," and type your new name in the "Profile Name" field.
  • You can change your username as many times as you want, and the change takes effect when ready for other players to see.
  • If you forget your account ID, you can find it by looking at the URL of your profile page or by checking your account details in settings.

How to change your username through the Steam client

Open the Steam client and click on your username in the top right corner. Select "Profile" from the dropdown menu. On your profile page, look for the "Edit Profile" button, usually located near your profile picture. Click it.

In the editing window, find the field labeled "Profile Name" — this is your username. Delete the current name and type the new one you want. Steam allows usernames up to 32 characters and accepts letters, numbers, spaces, and most punctuation marks. Click "Save Changes" when you're done. The new name appears when ready to other players.

How to change your username through the Steam website

Go to steampowered.com and log in to your account. Click on your username in the top right corner and select "Profile" from the menu. On your profile page, click the pencil icon or "Edit Profile" button.

Locate the "Profile Name" field and enter your new username. The character limit and allowed characters are the same as in the client. Click "Save" and the change takes effect right away. You don't need to restart Steam or log out and back in — other players will see the new name the next time they refresh your profile.

What happens to your old username

When you change your username, your old name becomes available for other players to use. Steam does not reserve old usernames, so if you change from "PlayerOne" to "PlayerTwo," someone else can create an account and use "PlayerOne" as their username.

Your friends list, game library, and all your account history stay exactly the same. The change only affects what name appears next to your posts, comments, and profile. Your account ID — the number that identifies your account — never changes, so your friends can always find you by that ID even if you change your name ten times.

Finding your Steam account ID if you need it

Your account ID is a number, not a name. You can find it by visiting your profile page and looking at the URL in your browser's address bar. The URL will look something like steampowered.com/profiles/76561198012345678 — the long number at the end is your account ID.

You can also find your account ID in the Steam client. Go to your profile, right-click on your username, and select "Copy Steam URL." Paste it into a text editor and look for the number at the end. Some games and third-party tools ask for your account ID rather than your username, so it's useful to know where to find it.

Restrictions and things to know

Steam does not limit how often you can change your username — you can do it once a day, once an hour, or once a week if you want. There is no cooldown period and no cost. The only real limit is that your username must be under 32 characters and cannot be blank.

If you use a username that violates Steam's Community Guidelines — for example, one that contains hate speech, harassment, or impersonation of a real person or company — Steam can force you to change it. If that happens, you'll see a message in your account settings telling you to pick a new name within a certain timeframe. Failing to do so will prevent you from using community features like posting on forums or adding friends, though you can still play your games offline.

Changing your account name versus your profile name

Steam has two separate name fields that can be confusing. Your profile name is what other players see and is what you change through the steps above. Your account name is the login credential you use to sign into Steam — this is different from your username and cannot be changed.

If you want to change the account name you use to log in, you cannot do that through Steam's settings. You would need to contact Steam Support, and they will only allow a change in specific circumstances, such as if your account name contains personal information you no longer want public or if you have a legitimate security concern. For most players, changing your profile name is what you actually want to do, and that's the process described above.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the same username as someone else?

No. Steam usernames must be unique — two players cannot have the exact same profile name at the same time. If the name you want is already taken, Steam will tell you when you try to save it, and you'll need to pick a different one.

Will my friends lose me if I change my username?

No. Your friends list stays the same because Steam tracks friendships by account ID, not by username. Your friends will see your new name the next time they look at their friends list, but they won't lose you or have to re-add you.

What if I change my username and then want to change it back?

You can change it back anytime. Just follow the same steps and enter your old username. There's no penalty for changing back and forth, though keep in mind that if someone else took your old name in the meantime, you won't be able to use it again.

Does changing my username affect my game saves or achievements?

No. Your game saves, achievements, playtime, and everything else tied to your account stays exactly the same. The username change only affects what name appears on your profile and in chat.

What characters can I use in my Steam username?

You can use letters, numbers, spaces, and most punctuation marks, up to 32 characters total. Steam will reject usernames with certain symbols or that contain content violating the Community Guidelines. If your chosen name is rejected, try removing special characters or shortening it.