You can change your VRChat username once every 30 days through your account settings

VRChat lets you change the display name that other players see in-game, but the change is not when ready and comes with a waiting period. You make the change in your account settings on the VRChat website, not inside the game itself. The new name takes effect after a short processing time, usually within a few minutes, though it can take up to an hour during peak traffic.

You are limited to one username change per 30 days. If you change your name and then want to change it again, you will need to wait a full month from the date of your last change before the system lets you make another one. This limit exists to prevent spam and keep the friend list system stable.

Key Takeaways

  • Log into your VRChat account on the website, go to Account Settings, and find the Display Name field to change your username.
  • Your new username takes effect within minutes to an hour, and other players will see the change the next time they refresh their friends list or encounter you in-game.
  • You can only change your username once every 30 days, counted from the date of your last change.
  • Usernames must be between 3 and 32 characters and cannot contain certain special characters or offensive language.
  • Your account ID (a number assigned when you created your account) never changes, so friends can still find you even after you change your display name.

Step-by-step process to change your display name

Go to the VRChat website and log into your account using your email and password. Once you are logged in, click on your profile icon or avatar in the top right corner of the page, then select Account Settings from the dropdown menu.

In Account Settings, look for the Display Name field. This is where your current username appears. Click on the field, delete your old name, and type in your new username. The field will show you how many characters you have used and how many remain (the limit is 32 characters). After you enter your new name, click the Save button below the field.

The system will confirm that the change was saved. Your new username will appear in-game within a few minutes, though it may take up to an hour to show up everywhere. If you are already in a VRChat world when you change your name, you may need to rejoin the world or restart the game to see the change reflected.

Rules for what you can name yourself

VRChat usernames must be between 3 and 32 characters long. You can use letters, numbers, underscores, and hyphens. The system does not allow spaces in usernames, so if you want to separate words, use an underscore or hyphen instead.

You cannot use certain special characters, including symbols like @, #, $, %, or &. VRChat also blocks usernames that contain slurs, hate speech, or other offensive language. If you try to save a name that violates these rules, the system will reject it and ask you to choose a different one.

Usernames are not case-sensitive, meaning VRChat treats "MyName" and "myname" as the same username. You cannot have the same display name as another player, so if the name you want is already taken, you will need to choose something different.

What happens to your account ID and friends list when you change your name

Your account ID is a permanent number that VRChat assigned to you when you created your account. This ID never changes, no matter how many times you change your display name. Your friends are connected to your account ID, not to your username, so they will still be able to find you and message you after you change your name.

When you change your username, your friends will see the new name the next time they refresh their friends list or the next time they see you in a world. If a friend has you bookmarked or has saved your user card, the new name will show up there as well. There is no disruption to your friendships or social connections when you change your display name.

The 30-day waiting period between changes

After you change your username, the system locks you out of making another change for exactly 30 days. This timer starts from the moment you clicked Save on your new username, not from midnight or any other fixed time. If you changed your name on March 15 at 2 p.m., you cannot change it again until March 15 at 2 p.m. the following month.

If you try to change your name before the 30 days are up, the website will show you an error message telling you when you will be able to change it again. There is no way to bypass this waiting period or reset the timer, so plan your username changes carefully.

Troubleshooting: your change did not go through

If you clicked Save but your new username did not appear, first check that you are still logged into the VRChat website. Sometimes your session expires without warning, and you need to log in again before the change will save. Refresh the page and log back in if needed.

If the name you chose was rejected, check the error message on the screen. Common reasons include: the name contains special characters that are not allowed, the name is fewer than 3 characters or longer than 32 characters, the name is already taken by another player, or the name contains blocked language. Choose a different name and try again.

If you see a message saying you have already changed your name recently, you are within the 30-day waiting period. The message will tell you the exact date and time when you can change your name again. In the meantime, your current username is locked in place.

Changing your username versus changing your avatar or profile picture

Your display name is the text name that appears above your avatar in-game and on your profile. Your avatar is the 3D model that other players see when they look at you. These are separate things, and you can change your avatar without changing your name, or change your name without changing your avatar.

You can change your avatar as many times as you want with no waiting period. You do this inside the VRChat game itself by going to the Avatar menu and selecting a different avatar from your collection. Your profile picture (the small image that shows next to your name on the website) is also separate from your display name and can be changed whenever you want.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username back to a name I used before?

Yes, you can reuse an old username as long as no one else has claimed it in the meantime. If another player took your old name, you will not be able to use it again unless that player changes their name first. You still have to wait 30 days between any username changes, even if you are going back to a previous name.

What if someone else took the username I wanted?

Usernames are first-come, first-served. If another player has the name you want, you cannot use it. You will need to choose a different name. There is no way to request that another player change their name or to reserve a username in advance.

Does changing my username affect my VRChat Plus subscription or purchases?

No. Your subscription, cosmetics, and any items you have purchased stay with your account ID, which never changes. Changing your display name does not affect your account status or anything you own in VRChat.

Will my old username become available for someone else to use?

Yes. Once you change your username, your old name goes back into the pool of available usernames. Another player can claim it when ready. If you think you might want that name back later, you should wait before changing it.

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

Usually a few minutes, but it can take up to an hour. If you are already in a VRChat world, you may need to leave and rejoin the world to see your new name appear. Other players will see the change when they refresh their friends list or encounter you in a new world.