Change your username from your account settings

Go to your Twitch account settings, select the Username tab, and enter your new name. Twitch lets you change your username once every 60 days. The name must be between 4 and 25 characters, use only letters, numbers, and underscores, and cannot match an existing account.

After you submit the change, it takes effect when ready across your channel, chat history, and followers list. Your old username becomes available for someone else to claim after 6 months, so if you change your mind later, you cannot reclaim it right away.

If you have not changed your username before, you may see a prompt asking you to create one during login. This is Twitch's way of converting old display names into usernames. Follow the same rules: 4 to 25 characters, letters, numbers, and underscores only.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your Twitch username once every 60 days from your account settings under the Username tab.
  • Your new username must be 4 to 25 characters long and can only contain letters, numbers, and underscores.
  • The change takes effect when ready across your entire account, including your channel page and chat history.
  • Your old username becomes available for others to use after 6 months, so you cannot reclaim it quickly if you change your mind.

What happens to your channel when you change your username

Your channel URL changes to match your new username. If you had a custom URL like twitch.tv/youroldname, it automatically becomes twitch.tv/yournewname. Any links people bookmarked or shared will no longer work, so tell your followers about the change in your channel description or on social media.

Your follower count, subscriber list, and stream history stay the same. People who followed you under your old name remain followers. Moderators and VIP users keep their roles. Chat logs and past broadcasts are still there, but they will show your new username retroactively.

Restrictions and the 60-day waiting period

Twitch enforces a 60-day cooldown between username changes. If you changed your username recently, you will see the exact date you can change it again when you visit the Username tab. You cannot bypass this wait by contacting support.

Usernames cannot contain spaces, special characters other than underscores, or profanity. Twitch also reserves certain names and will not let you use them. If your desired name is taken, you will see an error message telling you to pick something else.

Changing your display name separately from your username

Twitch has two separate name settings: your username and your display name. Your username is what you use to log in and is permanent between changes. Your display name is what appears in chat and on your channel, and you can change it as often as you want without waiting.

To change your display name, go to your account settings, select Profile, and edit the Display Name field. This is useful if you want a different look in chat without changing your login username. For example, your username could be "streamer123" but your display name could show as "Streamer 123" with a space and capital letters.

What to do if your desired username is taken

If someone else has the username you want, you have a few options. You can add numbers or underscores to make a variation, like adding your birth year or a number at the end. You can also wait to see if the account becomes inactive — Twitch recycles usernames from accounts that have not logged in for a very long time, though the exact timeline is not public.

Another option is to check if the account holding that name is actually active. If it is a dormant account with no streams or activity, you might contact Twitch support to ask about it, though they rarely transfer usernames between users. Most of the time, creating a similar variation is the fastest solution.

Updating your username across other platforms

Changing your Twitch username does not automatically change your username on YouTube, Discord, Twitter, or other platforms. You will need to update those separately if you want consistency across where you stream or communicate. Make a list of the sites where you use that name and update them one by one.

Update your Twitch links in your Discord server, Twitter bio, YouTube channel description, and any other place you have shared your channel URL. Let your community know the change is coming so they do not get confused when they see a different name in your next stream.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username more than once every 60 days?

No. Twitch enforces a mandatory 60-day waiting period between username changes. You can see the exact date you are may be able to access to change again in your account settings. Support cannot override this limit.

What happens to my followers and subscribers when I change my username?

Your followers and subscribers stay with your account. They will see your new username, but their follow and subscription status does not change. You keep all the same benefits and relationships.

Can I use special characters or spaces in my username?

No. Twitch usernames can only contain letters (A–Z), numbers (0–9), and underscores. Spaces, hyphens, periods, and other special characters are not allowed.

If I change my username, can I get my old one back later?

Not when ready. Your old username becomes available for someone else to claim after 6 months. After that period, you could theoretically claim it again if no one else has taken it, but there is no may provide it will still be free.

Does changing my username affect my Twitch Partner status or monetization?

No. Your Partner status, affiliate status, and all monetization features stay active. The change is purely cosmetic and does not affect your account standing or earnings.