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

Your Steam username — the name that appears on your profile and in games — can be changed whenever you want, as many times as you want, with no fee. Valve does not limit how often you switch it. The process happens entirely within the Steam client or the Steam website, and the change takes effect when ready across all your games and friends' friend lists.

The steps are the same whether you use Windows, Mac, or Linux. You do not need to restart Steam or your computer for the change to show up.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your Steam username from either the Steam client on your computer or from the Steam website in a web browser.
  • The change happens in your account settings under "Profile" and takes effect right away across all games and friends lists.
  • Steam usernames are different from your account name — you can change your username without changing your login credentials.
  • There is no limit to how many times you can change your username, and Valve does not charge a fee for doing so.

Changing your username through the Steam client

Open the Steam client on your computer and log in if you are not already. Click your username or avatar in the top right corner of the window. A dropdown menu will appear with several options.

Select "Profile" from that menu. Your profile page will open. Look for the pencil icon next to your current username at the top of the page — it usually appears when you hover your mouse over your name. Click that pencil icon to enter edit mode.

Type your new username into the text field that appears. Steam usernames can be up to 32 characters long and can include letters, numbers, spaces, and most punctuation marks. Click outside the text field or press Enter to save. The change takes effect when ready.

Changing your username through the Steam website

Go to steampowered.com in your web browser and log in to your account. Click your username or avatar in the top right corner. Select "Profile" from the menu that appears.

On your profile page, look for the pencil icon next to your username. Click it to open the edit field. Type your new username — again, up to 32 characters — and click outside the field or press Enter to save. The change will show up in the Steam client within a few seconds.

What happens to your friends and game history

When you change your username, your friends will see the new name the next time they look at their friends list or your profile. Your game history, achievements, playtime, and all other account data stay exactly the same — nothing is lost or reset.

If you were in the middle of a game when you changed your name, you may need to restart the game for it to display your new username in-game. Most games pull your username from Steam when they start, not while they are running.

The difference between username and account name

Your Steam username is the display name people see. Your account name is what you type when you log in — it is separate and does not change when you edit your username. If you want to change your login credentials, that is a different process handled in your account security settings, not in your profile.

You can change your username as many times as you want without touching your account name or password. The two are independent.

Troubleshooting if the change does not appear

If you changed your username but it is not showing up, try closing the Steam client completely and opening it again. Sometimes the client needs to refresh to display the new name in all places.

If you are using the Steam website and the change does not appear in your client, wait a few seconds and then restart the Steam client. The servers sometimes take a moment to sync. If the problem persists after a restart, log out of your account entirely, close the client, and log back in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the same username as someone else?

Yes. Steam usernames do not have to be unique — many people can have the same display name. Your account number (your Steam ID) is what makes your account unique. This is why you should not rely on username alone to find a friend; use their profile URL or Steam ID instead.

What characters are not allowed in a username?

Steam allows letters, numbers, spaces, and most punctuation. The main characters to avoid are quotation marks and backslashes. If you try to use a character Steam does not accept, the system will tell you when you try to save.

How long does it take for my new username to show up in games?

The change takes effect when ready in Steam itself. In-game, it depends on the game — some pull your name from Steam when you start the game, others when you join a server. Restarting the game usually forces it to refresh your username.

Can I change my username back to what it was before?

Yes. There is no restriction on changing your username back. You can cycle through usernames as often as you want, and you can return to a previous name at any time.