You can change your Xbox username once per year for free, or pay to change it more often

Your Xbox username is the gamertag people see when you play online. Microsoft lets you change it once every 12 months at no cost. If you want to change it again before that year is up, you can pay $9.99 each time. The process takes about five minutes and works the same whether you're on console, the Xbox app on PC, or the web.

You'll need to be signed into your Microsoft account and have access to the email address attached to it. If you've forgotten your password or can't access that email, you'll need to recover your account first before you can change your gamertag.

Key Takeaways

  • One free username change per year is included with your Xbox account; additional changes cost $9.99 each.
  • You can change your gamertag on Xbox console, the Xbox app for Windows, or through the Xbox website — all three methods work the same way.
  • Your new username must be between 3 and 15 characters, can include letters and numbers, and cannot contain spaces or special characters.
  • The change takes effect when ready, but your old username becomes available for someone else to claim after a few days.

Change your username on Xbox console

On your Xbox Series X, Series S, Xbox One, or older console, press the Xbox button on your controller to open the guide. Navigate to your profile in the top left corner and select it. Choose "Customize profile," then select "Change my gamertag."

You'll see a field showing your current username. Type in your new gamertag — it must be 3 to 15 characters long and can only use letters (A–Z), numbers (0–9), and spaces. Xbox will check if the name is available as you type. Once you find one you want, select it and confirm. If this is your first change in 12 months, you won't be charged. If you've already used your free change, the system will ask you to pay $9.99 before it saves the new name.

Change your username through the Xbox app on Windows

Open the Xbox app on your PC and sign in with your Microsoft account. Select your profile picture in the top left corner, then choose "View profile." Look for the option that says "Customize profile" or "Edit profile" (the exact wording varies by app version).

Select "Change gamertag" and follow the same process as on console — type your new name, check availability, and confirm. The app will tell you whether this change is free or will cost $9.99 based on when you last changed your username.

Change your username on the Xbox website

Go to xbox.com and sign in with your Microsoft account. Click your profile icon in the top right corner and select "View profile." Find the option to edit your profile or customize your gamertag.

The web version works identically to console and the app. Type your new username, see if it's available, and confirm the change. You'll be told at that point whether the change is free or costs $9.99.

Rules for your new Xbox username

Your gamertag must follow Xbox's content policy. You cannot use profanity, slurs, or references to illegal activity. Names that impersonate real people, celebrities, or Microsoft staff are not allowed. Xbox will reject names that are already taken, even if they're not currently in use by an active account.

The name must be between 3 and 15 characters. You can use uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and spaces, but not symbols like hyphens, underscores, periods, or @ signs. If you try to use a character Xbox doesn't allow, the system will tell you when ready and won't let you proceed.

What happens after you change your username

Your new gamertag appears on your profile and in online games when ready. Friends will see the new name the next time they look at your profile or play with you. Your old username becomes available for someone else to claim after a few days — Xbox doesn't hold it for you.

Your game library, achievements, and friends list stay exactly the same. Changing your username does not affect your account security, your payment methods, or any games you own. If you've linked your Xbox account to other services (like Discord or Twitch), those connections remain active, though those platforms will show your new Xbox username once they update.

If your username change fails or is rejected

If Xbox rejects your chosen name, the system will tell you why — usually because it violates the content policy, contains a banned word, or is already taken. Try a different name. If the same name keeps getting rejected and you believe it should be allowed, you can contact Xbox Support through the Xbox app or the website to ask for a manual review.

If you see an error message during the change process itself (not a rejection of the name, but a technical error), try signing out and back in, or try the change on a different device. If the problem persists, restart your console or close and reopen the Xbox app. If you still can't change your username after trying these steps, contact Xbox Support — they can sometimes process the change manually or diagnose what's blocking it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username more than once a year?

Yes. After you use your free change, you can change your gamertag as often as you want, but each additional change costs $9.99. The 12-month timer resets from the date of your last change, so if you changed your name on March 15, your next free change becomes available on March 15 of the following year.

What if someone takes my old username after I change it?

Once your old gamertag becomes available (usually within a few days), anyone can claim it. Xbox doesn't reserve old usernames for the person who had them. If you want to keep a username, don't change it — or change it back before someone else does.

Does changing my username affect my game progress or achievements?

No. Your achievements, game saves, and entire game library stay attached to your Microsoft account regardless of what your username is. The gamertag is just the name people see — it doesn't touch any of your data or progress.

Can I change my username if I'm under 18?

Yes, but if your account is a child account managed by a parent or guardian, the parent may need to approve the change depending on your account settings. Check your parental controls or contact the account owner if you're not sure whether approval is required.

What if I forget my password and can't sign in to change my username?

You'll need to recover your Microsoft account first. Go to account.microsoft.com and select "Can't access your account." Follow the steps to verify your identity using your phone number or recovery email. Once you regain access, you can change your Xbox username through any of the three methods listed above.