Where to look for your username right now

Your Minecraft username appears in the top-left corner of the main menu screen when you launch the game. Open Minecraft, and before you click "Singleplayer" or "Multiplayer", look at the screen — your username is displayed there. If you are already in a world, press Escape to return to the main menu, and you will see it again.

On Windows, Mac, and Linux, you can also find your username by opening the Minecraft launcher (the program you use to start the game). Your username shows in the upper-right corner of the launcher window, next to a small profile icon. This is the fastest way to check without loading a world.

If you play on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, or Xbox, your Minecraft username is the same as your console account name. Check your console's account settings to see it, or look at the player name that appears above your character in the game world.

Key Takeaways

  • Your username appears in the top-left of the Minecraft main menu and in the upper-right of the launcher window.
  • On consoles, your Minecraft username matches your console account name, which you can find in your account settings.
  • If you changed your username recently, the old name may still show in some places for a few minutes while the change syncs.
  • You can change your username once every 30 days through your Microsoft account settings on the Minecraft website.

Finding your username in the Minecraft launcher

The launcher is the easiest place to find your username because it displays before you even start playing. When you open the Minecraft launcher, look at the top-right corner of the window. You will see a small circular icon (your profile picture) with your username written next to it. This is your current active account.

If you have multiple accounts on your computer, you can see all of them in the launcher. Click the profile icon in the top-right, and a dropdown menu will show every account set up on that device. Your username is listed next to each one. The account with a checkmark is the one that will load when you start the game.

Checking your username in-game

Once you are playing, your username appears above your character's head in the game world. Other players see this name when they look at you. In singleplayer mode, you will not see your own name above your head, but you can see it in the pause menu.

Press Escape (on PC) or the pause button (on console) to open the pause menu. Look for a section labeled "Player" or "Profile" — your username is shown there. On some versions, you may also see it in the settings menu under "Account" or "Profile".

Finding your username on the Minecraft website

You can also see your username by visiting the official Minecraft website and signing into your Microsoft account. Go to minecraft.net and click "Sign In" in the top-right corner. Enter your Microsoft account email and password. Once you are signed in, click your profile icon in the top-right corner of the website.

A dropdown menu will show your username, along with other account details like when you purchased the game and what version you own. This method works on any computer or phone with a web browser, so it is useful if you do not have Minecraft installed.

What to do if you cannot find your username

If your username does not appear in the launcher or main menu, your account may not be signed in. On Windows, Mac, and Linux, click "Sign In" in the launcher and enter your Microsoft account email and password. The launcher will not show a username until you are logged in.

If you recently changed your username, it may take a few minutes to show up everywhere. The change syncs across Minecraft servers and the launcher within about 5 to 10 minutes. If more than an hour has passed and the new name still does not appear, sign out of the launcher completely, close it, and sign back in.

On console, make sure you are signed into the correct account. Press the Xbox, PlayStation, or Nintendo button on your controller, go to account settings, and check the account name. Your Minecraft username will match this name.

Understanding the difference between username and display name

Your username is the unique name you chose when you created your account or changed it most recently. This is the name that appears in-game and on the Minecraft website. It can contain letters, numbers, and underscores, and it cannot be changed more than once every 30 days.

Some older Minecraft accounts also have a display name, which is different from your username. Display names were used in older versions of the game but are no longer active. If you see two different names associated with your account, the username is the one that matters now — that is the name other players see in-game.

Changing your username if you want a different one

You can change your username once every 30 days through your Microsoft account. Go to minecraft.net, sign in, and click your profile icon. Select "Change Name" and enter a new username. The change takes effect when ready in the launcher and in-game, though it may take a few minutes to show up on servers and in other players' friend lists.

If you try to change your username and see a message saying you cannot, you have changed it within the last 30 days. You will have to wait until the 30-day period has passed. The website will tell you the exact date you can change it again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see someone else's username?

Yes. In multiplayer worlds and servers, you can see other players' usernames above their heads. You can also see usernames in the player list, which you open by pressing Tab (on PC) or the designated button on console. This shows everyone currently in that world or server.

What if I forgot my Microsoft account password?

Go to account.microsoft.com and click "Can't access your account?" Follow the steps to verify your identity using a recovery email or phone number. Once you reset your password, you can sign into the Minecraft launcher and see your username again.

Does my username have to match my real name?

No. Your Minecraft username can be anything you want, as long as it does not contain spaces and follows Minecraft's community standards. It does not have to match your real name, your email address, or your console account name (though on console, your Minecraft username is your console account name).

Can I have the same username on different devices?

Yes. If you sign into the same Microsoft account on multiple devices, your username will be the same across all of them. If you use different Microsoft accounts on different devices, each account can have its own username.

Why does the launcher show a different name than the game?

This usually means a username change is still syncing. Wait 10 minutes, close the launcher completely, and open it again. If the names still do not match after 30 minutes, sign out and sign back in to force a refresh.