Where to find 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, wait for it to load fully, and look at the screen before you click "Singleplayer" or "Multiplayer" — your username is displayed there in white text. If you are already in a world, pause the game by pressing Esc, and your username shows in the pause menu under your character's head.
On a computer, you can also find your username by checking the Minecraft launcher. Open the launcher, look at the top-right corner where your account information displays, and your username appears next to your profile picture. This works the same way on Windows, Mac, and Linux.
On mobile devices running Minecraft Pocket Edition, tap the gear icon to open Settings, then scroll down to see your username listed under your profile information.
Key Takeaways
- Your username displays in the top-left corner of the Minecraft main menu before you enter a world.
- The Minecraft launcher shows your username in the top-right corner next to your account profile.
- If you are already playing, pause the game and look at the pause menu to see your username.
- On Pocket Edition, open Settings and scroll to your profile section to find your username listed there.
- Your username is different from your character's display name — the username is what you use to log in.
Checking your username in the launcher
The launcher is the program you use to start Minecraft, and it always shows your account information. When you open the launcher, look at the very top-right corner of the window. You will see a small profile icon or your character's face, and next to it is your username in text. This is the fastest way to confirm your username without starting the game.
If you have multiple accounts on your computer, the launcher shows whichever account is currently selected. To switch accounts and see a different username, click on the profile icon and select a different account from the dropdown menu. The username for that account will then display in the top-right corner.
Finding your username while playing
Once you are inside a world, your username appears in several places. Press Esc to pause the game, and look at the top of the pause menu — your username is shown there along with your character model. You can also see your username in the player list during multiplayer games by pressing Tab on a computer or the designated button on console.
On servers and in multiplayer worlds, other players see your username above your character's head as you move around. If you want to confirm what other players see, ask them what name appears above your character, or take a screenshot and look at the text floating above your player model.
Username versus character name
Your username is the account name you use to log into Minecraft — this is what you typed when you created your account. Your character name is the name that displays above your head in the game world, and it is usually the same as your username but can be changed in some versions of the game.
On Java Edition for computers, your username and character name are the same and cannot be changed without creating a new account. On Bedrock Edition (Windows 10, console, and mobile), you can change your character name in the profile settings without changing your account username. If you are looking for the name other players see, check both places to be sure.
Recovering a forgotten username
If you cannot see your username in the launcher or in-game, you can find it through your Minecraft account page. Go to minecraft.net and sign in with your email address and password. Once you are logged in, your account dashboard displays your username at the top of the page or in the account settings section.
If you do not remember your password, click "Forgot your password?" on the login page and follow the steps to reset it using your email address. After you reset your password and log in, your username will be visible on your account page. Write down your username somewhere safe so you do not lose it again.
Checking your username on different platforms
The steps differ slightly depending on which version of Minecraft you own. On Java Edition (the original computer version), your username is always visible in the launcher and in-game. On Bedrock Edition (available on Windows 10, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation), open the game, go to Settings, and find your profile information to see your username.
On Nintendo Switch, open the game and go to the profile or account settings menu to find your username. On PlayStation and Xbox, your Minecraft username may be different from your console username — check the Minecraft settings within the game to see your Minecraft account username specifically. On mobile, open Minecraft Pocket Edition, tap Settings, and scroll to your profile section.
What to do if your username does not appear
If you launch Minecraft and do not see a username anywhere, the game may not have finished loading your account. Wait 10 to 15 seconds after the launcher opens and try again. If the username still does not appear, sign out of the launcher completely and sign back in by clicking your profile icon and selecting "Sign out," then logging in again with your email and password.
On mobile devices, if your username does not show in Settings, try closing the app completely and reopening it. If the problem continues, uninstall and reinstall Minecraft Pocket Edition. Before you do this, make sure you know your account email and password so you can log back in after reinstalling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my Minecraft username?
On Java Edition, you cannot change your username without creating a new account. On Bedrock Edition, you can change your character name (the name displayed in-game) through Settings, but your account username stays the same. Your account username is what you use to log in.
Is my username the same as my Microsoft account email?
No. Your Minecraft username is separate from your email address. You log in using your email, but your username is the name that displays in the game. They are two different things.
Why does my username look different on different servers?
Some servers use custom name tags or plugins that change how your name displays. Your actual Minecraft username stays the same, but servers can show a different title or prefix above your head. Your real username is always what appears in the pause menu or launcher.
What if I see a different name than I expected?
Check whether you are looking at your character name or your account username — they can be different on Bedrock Edition. Also check which account is currently logged in on your launcher, since you may have multiple accounts. If you still cannot find the right username, log into minecraft.net to see your account information.