You can change your Xbox username once per year at no cost through your Microsoft account settings
Xbox allows you to change the username associated with your account once every 12 months without paying a fee. After that first free change, Microsoft charges $9.99 for each additional username change within the same year. The change takes effect when ready across all Xbox services, your Microsoft profile, and any games that display your gamertag.
The process itself takes about five minutes and happens entirely online. You do not need to contact Xbox support or wait for approval — the new name becomes active as soon as you confirm it, as long as it follows Xbox's naming rules and is not already taken by another player.
Key Takeaways
- Your first username change each year is free; changes after that cost $9.99 each within the same 12-month period.
- You change your username through your Microsoft account online, not through your Xbox console or the Xbox app.
- The new username must be between 3 and 15 characters, contain only letters, numbers, and hyphens, and cannot include spaces or special characters.
- Your change takes effect when ready on all devices where you are signed in, including Xbox consoles, PC, and mobile.
How to change your username on the web
Go to account.microsoft.com and sign in with the email address and password for your Xbox account. Click your profile picture or name in the top right corner, then select View profile. On your profile page, look for the option to edit your profile or change your gamertag — the exact wording varies depending on your account type, but it is always near the top of the page.
Click the edit option and you will see a field showing your current username. Type your new username into the text box below it. Xbox will when ready tell you whether the name is available or already taken by another player. If it is taken, try a variation — adding numbers, hyphens, or a different spelling often opens up options. Once you find an available name you want, click Save or Confirm to complete the change.
The system will ask you to confirm that you understand this is your free change for the year (if you have not used it yet) or that you will be charged $9.99 (if you have already changed your name once this year). After you confirm, your new username is active when ready.
How to change your username on Xbox console
If you prefer to change your username directly from your Xbox console, the process is similar but slightly different. Press the Xbox button on your controller to open the guide, then go to Profile & system and select Profile. Choose Customize profile, then select Gamertag.
You will see an option to change your gamertag. Select it and enter your new username using the on-screen keyboard. The console will check availability in real time. Once you confirm your new name, it becomes active on that console and syncs to all your other devices within a few minutes.
Username rules and what names get rejected
Xbox usernames must be between 3 and 15 characters long. You can use uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers 0 through 9, and hyphens. You cannot use spaces, periods, underscores, or special characters like @, #, $, or &. Names that are purely numbers are not allowed — your username must contain at least one letter.
Xbox also rejects names that contain profanity, slurs, or references to illegal activity, even if you spell them creatively. Names that impersonate real people, celebrities, or Xbox staff members are blocked. If your chosen name is rejected and you are not sure why, try removing any numbers or hyphens and simplifying the spelling — the system is often stricter about names that look like they are trying to work around the filter.
What happens to your old username after you change it
Your old username becomes available for other players to claim after you change it. This happens when ready, so if you had a particularly desirable gamertag, someone else may take it within hours. There is no way to reserve your old name or prevent others from using it.
Your game progress, achievements, friends list, and account history all stay with your account and your new username. Games you own remain in your library. The only thing that changes is the name that appears when you play — everything else transfers over automatically.
If you have already used your free change this year
Once you have changed your username once in a 12-month period, the next change costs $9.99. Microsoft counts the 12 months from the date you made your last change, not from January 1st. If you changed your name on March 15th, your next free change becomes available on March 15th of the following year.
If you want to change your name again before that date, you will need to pay the $9.99 fee at the time you make the change. The fee is charged to the payment method on file for your Microsoft account. There is no way to waive the fee or get a refund if you change your mind shortly after paying.
Troubleshooting: name change not working
If you try to change your username and the system says the name is unavailable even though you are sure it is not taken, wait a few minutes and try again. Sometimes the availability check takes time to update across Xbox's servers. If the problem continues, try a slightly different name — adding a number or hyphen often works.
If you see an error message saying you cannot change your username, check whether you have already made a change in the past 12 months. If you have, you will need to pay the $9.99 fee. If you have not changed your name in over a year and still see an error, sign out of your Microsoft account completely, wait 10 minutes, and sign back in. This refreshes your account status and often clears the problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my username more than once for free?
No. You get one free username change per 12-month period. After that, each additional change costs $9.99. The 12 months is measured from the date of your last change, not from the calendar year.
Will my friends still be able to find me after I change my username?
Yes. Your friends list stays the same, and they will see your new username the next time they log in. You do not need to re-add anyone or send new friend requests.
Can I change my username back to what it was before?
You can try, but only if no one else has claimed that old name in the meantime. Since old usernames become available when ready after you change them, popular names are usually taken within hours. If your old name is still available, changing back to it counts as a change and uses your free change for the year (or costs $9.99 if you have already used your free change).
Does changing my username affect my Xbox Game Pass or subscriptions?
No. Your Game Pass subscription, Xbox Live Gold membership, and any other subscriptions stay active and attached to your account. The username change does not affect your billing or your access to any services.
What if someone else is using a username I want?
You cannot claim someone else's active username. If the name you want is taken, you will need to choose a different one. Try variations like adding numbers, hyphens, or a different spelling to find something close to what you wanted.