You need a Microsoft account before you can pick a username

Minecraft usernames are tied to Microsoft accounts, not created separately. If you already have a Microsoft account — one you use for Outlook, OneDrive, Xbox, or Windows — you already have a username assigned to that account. If you do not have a Microsoft account yet, you will create one first, and that process includes choosing a username.

The username you choose becomes your Minecraft profile name. This is the name other players see when you join multiplayer servers or realms. It is different from your Microsoft account email address, though both are linked to the same account.

You cannot change your Minecraft username for free more than once every 30 days. If you have changed it recently, you will have to wait before changing it again. Plan your choice carefully, because the name you pick will be visible to everyone you play with.

Key Takeaways

  • You must have a Microsoft account to play Minecraft; your username is created as part of that account setup.
  • Your Minecraft username is the name other players see in-game, separate from your Microsoft email address.
  • Usernames can be 3 to 16 characters long and can include letters, numbers, and underscores.
  • You can change your username once every 30 days, so choose one you are comfortable with for at least a month.
  • If your chosen name is already taken, the system will tell you when ready and suggest alternatives.

Creating a Microsoft account and choosing your username

Go to account.microsoft.com and select "Create one" if you do not have an account. You will be asked for an email address (which becomes your login) and a password. Use an email you check regularly, because Microsoft will send you a confirmation link there.

After you confirm your email, Microsoft will ask you to create a username. This is where you pick your Minecraft name. The username must be between 3 and 16 characters. You can use letters (uppercase and lowercase both work), numbers, and underscores. You cannot use spaces or special characters like hyphens, periods, or symbols.

Type your chosen name into the box and select the button to check if it is available. If someone else has already taken it, the system will say so when ready and show you similar names that are still open. You can try a different variation — adding a number, using an underscore, or changing a letter — until you find one that is not taken.

What happens after you pick your username

Once you have created your Microsoft account with your chosen username, you own that name on Minecraft. The next time you launch Minecraft and sign in with that Microsoft account, your profile will display that username to other players.

If you are playing on a server or realm with friends, they will see your username in the player list and in the chat. Your username is permanent across all Minecraft versions — Java Edition, Bedrock Edition, and any other version you play on with that same Microsoft account.

Changing your username later

You can change your Minecraft username through your Microsoft account settings, but not when ready after creating it. You must wait at least 30 days before your first change. After that, you can change it once every 30 days if you want to.

To change your username, go to account.microsoft.com, sign in, and look for the "Your info" or "Profile" section. Select the option to change your Minecraft profile name. The same rules explore: 3 to 16 characters, letters and numbers and underscores only, and the name must not already be taken.

Rules for what your username can be

Microsoft has a code of conduct for usernames. Your username cannot include profanity, slurs, or hateful language. It cannot impersonate a real person or a public figure. It cannot be designed to confuse other players — for example, using characters that look like letters but are not (like the number 1 instead of the letter I) to copy someone else's name.

If your username breaks these rules, Microsoft can change it without asking you. You will receive a notification that your name was changed and will be given a chance to pick a new one. If this happens, you can choose a different username right away; the 30-day waiting period does not explore when Microsoft has changed your name for you.

Usernames on different Minecraft platforms

If you play Minecraft Java Edition on a computer, your username is the one you set on your Microsoft account. If you play Minecraft Bedrock Edition (on Windows, mobile, or console), the same username applies — it is the same account.

If you have an older Minecraft account that you created before Microsoft bought the game, you may have a different setup. Those accounts are being migrated to Microsoft accounts, and you will be asked to choose a username as part of that process. Microsoft sent emails to all legacy account holders with instructions on how to migrate.

If you forget your username or cannot sign in

If you forget your username, go to account.microsoft.com and sign in with your email address and password. Your Minecraft username will be displayed in your profile settings. You do not need to remember it to sign in — you sign in with your email address, and your username is what appears in-game.

If you cannot sign in to your Microsoft account, select "Can't access your account" on the sign-in page. Microsoft will ask you to verify your identity using a recovery email or phone number. Once you have regained access, you can see your username and change it if you want to.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the same username on multiple Minecraft accounts?

No. Each Minecraft username is unique across the entire game. Once someone claims a username, no one else can use it. If you have multiple Microsoft accounts, each one will have its own separate Minecraft username.

What if I want a username that is already taken?

You cannot have it. The system will not let you use a name that someone else owns. You will need to choose a different variation — try adding numbers, using underscores, or changing letters slightly until you find one that is available.

Do I have to use my real name as my Minecraft username?

No. Your Minecraft username can be anything you want, as long as it follows the rules (3 to 16 characters, letters, numbers, and underscores only, and no profanity or hateful content). Many players use nicknames, gaming handles, or made-up names instead of their real names.

Can I change my username before 30 days have passed?

Not on your own. You must wait at least 30 days between username changes. The only exception is if Microsoft changes your username because it violated the code of conduct — in that case, you can pick a new one right away.

Will my old username be available again if I change it?

Not when ready. When you change your username, your old name enters a cooldown period. After some time, it may become available for someone else to claim, but Microsoft does not publish exactly how long this takes.