The cost depends on whether you've changed your name before
Changing your Xbox username costs $9.99 USD if you've already changed it once. If you're changing your Xbox username for the first time, Microsoft lets you do it at no cost — you pay nothing. After that first free change, every subsequent change runs $9.99.
The price is the same whether you change your name on an Xbox console, through the Xbox app on Windows, or on the Xbox website. Microsoft charges the fee to your Microsoft account payment method, which is usually a credit card, debit card, or gift card balance linked to your account.
The fee applies to the username itself, not to your Microsoft account email or your gamertag display name. If you're confused about which one you're changing, that's a common source of frustration — the username is what you log in with, while your gamertag is what other players see.
Key Takeaways
- Your first Xbox username change is free; every change after that costs $9.99 USD.
- The fee is charged to whichever payment method is linked to your Microsoft account.
- You can change your username on any device — console, Windows app, or web browser — and the price stays the same.
- If you've already used your one free change, you cannot get that free change back or transfer it to a different account.
How the free change works
When you first create an Xbox account, Microsoft gives you one free username change. You don't have to use it right away — you can wait months or years and still have that free change available. The moment you use it, though, it's gone, and any future changes cost $9.99.
The free change applies only to the account that receives it. If you have multiple Xbox accounts on the same console, each account gets its own one free change. You cannot combine them, transfer the free change to a different account, or save it for later if you've already used it.
Before you use your free change, think through what you actually want your username to be. There's no penalty for changing your mind after the free change is used — you just pay $9.99 the next time. But if you're unsure, it's worth taking a few days to decide.
What happens if you've already used your free change
Once you've used your one free username change, Microsoft doesn't offer another free one. Every change after that, including your second change, costs $9.99. There's no way to reset this or get the free change back, even if you contact Xbox support.
Some players think they can create a new account to get another free change, then transfer their games or friends list over. You can create a new account and get a free change on that account, but your games, achievements, and friends stay tied to your original account. It's not a practical workaround.
Where the charge appears on your bill
The $9.99 charge shows up on whatever payment method is set as your default on your Microsoft account. If you use a credit card, it appears on your credit card statement. If you use a debit card, it comes out of your bank account. If you have Xbox Game Pass Ultimate or a gift card balance, Microsoft can pull from that instead.
The charge typically posts within a few minutes of you confirming the username change. You'll see it listed as a charge from Microsoft or Xbox, depending on your bank's naming conventions. If you don't see it right away, check again in a few hours — sometimes there's a short delay.
If you're concerned about the charge or think you were billed twice, contact Xbox support with your transaction ID. They can see exactly when the charge went through and whether it was processed correctly.
Reasons to think twice before paying
Before you spend $9.99, consider whether you actually need to change your username right now. If you're changing it because you don't like how it looks to other players, remember that most people see your gamertag, not your username. Your username is what you type to log in — other players don't see it unless you tell them.
If you're changing it because you're worried about privacy or an old username you used years ago, that's a valid reason. But if you're just tired of it or want something that sounds cooler, you might feel differently in a few weeks. The free change is valuable precisely because it lets you experiment without cost.
You also can't change your username more than once every 30 days, even if you're willing to pay. So if you've changed it recently, you'll have to wait before you can change it again, regardless of cost.
How to check if you've used your free change
To find out whether you still have your free username change available, go to your Xbox account settings on the Xbox website or the Xbox app. Navigate to your account profile, then look for the username or sign-in settings. If you see an option to change your username with no price listed, you still have your free change. If it shows $9.99, you've already used it.
You can also start the change process and stop before you confirm it. The system will show you the price before you're charged anything. This is a safe way to check without committing to a change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get my free username change back if I used it by mistake?
No. Once you've used your free change, it's gone permanently. Microsoft doesn't restore free changes or offer exceptions, even if you changed your username and then changed it back to the original. Contact Xbox support if you believe there was a billing error, but they cannot refund the free change itself.
Is the $9.99 fee the same in every country?
The price varies by region and currency. In the United States it's $9.99 USD. In other countries, Microsoft converts this to the local currency at the current exchange rate. Check your account settings to see the price in your region before you confirm the change.
What if I change my username and then want to change it back?
Changing it back costs another $9.99 if you've already used your free change. There's no discount for reverting to an old username. If you're not sure about a new username, take time to think about it before you confirm the change.
Do I have to pay if I change my gamertag instead of my username?
Your gamertag and username are different things. Changing your gamertag (the name other players see) is free and unlimited. Changing your username (what you log in with) costs $9.99 after your first free change. Make sure you're changing the right one before you confirm.
Can I change my username on mobile, or only on console?
You can change your username on console, on the Xbox app for Windows, or on the Xbox website through any web browser, including mobile browsers. The cost is $9.99 on all of them if you've already used your free change. You cannot change it through the Xbox mobile app itself — you have to use the website.