Where to Find the Username Setting

Your Twitch username lives in your account settings, not in your profile or channel page. Log into Twitch on a web browser, click your profile icon in the top right corner, and select Settings from the dropdown menu. You'll land on the Account page by default.

Look for the Username field near the top of the page. This is the name people use to find your channel and the name that appears when you chat. It's separate from your display name, which is what shows up in chat and can include uppercase letters and spaces — your username cannot.

Key Takeaways

  • Your username is changed in Settings under the Account tab, and you can only change it once every 60 days.
  • Usernames must be between 4 and 25 characters, contain only letters, numbers, and underscores, and cannot start with a number.
  • When you change your username, your old channel URL stops working, so tell your followers about the change if you have an audience.
  • Your display name (what appears in chat) is separate from your username and can be changed anytime without restrictions.
  • If your desired username is taken, Twitch will tell you when ready, and you'll need to choose a different one.

The Rules for a Valid Username

Twitch enforces specific rules about what a username can be. Your username must be between 4 and 25 characters long. It can contain letters (a–z), numbers (0–9), and underscores (_), but nothing else — no spaces, hyphens, or special characters.

Your username cannot start with a number. It also cannot be a username that's already taken by another account. Twitch checks this in real time as you type, so if the name you want is unavailable, you'll see a red error message telling you to pick something else.

Keep in mind that usernames are not case-sensitive on Twitch. If someone takes "MyChannel", you cannot register "mychannel" or "MYCHANNEL" — they're all treated as the same name.

Entering Your New Username

Click in the Username field and clear out your current name. Type your new username carefully — check the spelling and make sure it follows the rules above. As you type, Twitch will show you whether the name is available or taken.

Once you've entered a username that's available, you'll see a green checkmark or confirmation message. Click the Save Changes button at the bottom of the page. Twitch will ask you to confirm the change, usually by re-entering your password or confirming via email, depending on your account security settings.

The 60-Day Waiting Period

After you change your username, you cannot change it again for 60 days. Twitch enforces this rule to prevent confusion and abuse. If you try to change it before 60 days have passed, the Settings page will show you a message saying when you'll be able to change it next.

This means you should be confident about your new username before you save it. If you realize when ready after changing it that you made a typo or chose poorly, you're locked in for two months. Take a moment to double-check before you click Save Changes.

What Happens to Your Old Channel URL

When you change your username, your old Twitch channel URL stops working. If your channel was twitch.tv/oldname, it becomes twitch.tv/newname. Anyone who bookmarked or shared your old URL will get a "page not found" error.

If you have followers, subscribers, or an audience of any size, tell them about the change. Post an announcement on social media, in your Discord server, or on your stream. Update your links everywhere you've shared them — in your YouTube description, Twitter bio, website, or anywhere else people might find your Twitch channel.

Twitch does not automatically redirect old URLs to new ones, so the sooner you spread the word, the fewer people will lose track of you.

Display Name vs. Username: What's the Difference

Your display name is what people see when you chat or when your name appears on screen during a stream. Your display name can have uppercase letters, spaces, and special characters. You can change your display name anytime without any waiting period.

Your username is your account identifier and your channel URL. It's lowercase only, no spaces, and you can change it once every 60 days. Most people keep their username and display name the same or very similar, but they don't have to be.

If you want to rebrand but don't want to wait 60 days to change your username again, you can change your display name when ready to something new. People will see the new display name in chat right away, though your channel URL will still use your username.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

If you see an error saying the username is taken, it really is — someone else owns it. You cannot reserve a username or get on a waitlist. Try a variation: add a number, use an underscore, or pick a different name altogether.

If the Save Changes button won't work, make sure you've entered a valid username (4–25 characters, letters and numbers and underscores only, doesn't start with a number). If the username is valid and available but the button still won't respond, try refreshing the page or logging out and back in.

If you're locked out of changing your username because you changed it less than 60 days ago, you'll have to wait. There's no way to bypass this waiting period, even if you contact Twitch support. Mark your calendar for when the 60 days are up so you don't forget.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username on the Twitch mobile app?

No. Username changes are only available through the Twitch website on a computer or tablet browser. Open twitch.tv in your browser, log in, and go to Settings to change your username. The mobile app does not have this option.

What if I want my old username back after 60 days?

You can change to any available username after 60 days have passed, including a username you used before. However, if someone else claimed your old username in the meantime, you cannot have it back. First come, first served.

Does changing my username affect my followers or subscribers?

Your followers and subscribers stay connected to your account — the change doesn't disconnect them. However, they won't automatically know you've changed your username, so tell them so they can find you at your new channel URL.

Can I use special characters or spaces in my username?

No. Usernames can only contain letters (a–z), numbers (0–9), and underscores (_). No spaces, hyphens, periods, or other special characters are allowed. If you want a display name with special characters, change your display name instead.

What if Twitch says my username violates their rules?

Twitch blocks usernames that contain hateful language, impersonate other people or brands, or violate their terms of service. If your chosen username is rejected, pick a different one. You cannot appeal a rejected username — you'll need to choose something else.