You can change your Xbox gamertag through the Xbox app or website in about five minutes

Your gamertag is the name that appears when you play online and in your profile. To change it, sign into your Xbox account on the Xbox app (on Windows or console), go to your profile, select "Customize profile," then choose "Edit gamertag." Type your new name, check that it's available, and confirm the change. The same process works on Xbox.com if you prefer to use a web browser.

The first gamertag change is free. After that, each change costs 800 Microsoft Points, which is roughly $10. You can change your gamertag as often as you want, but you must wait 30 days between changes if you want to avoid the fee — if you change it again within 30 days, you'll pay.

Key Takeaways

  • Your first gamertag change is free; subsequent changes cost 800 Microsoft Points (about $10 each).
  • You can change your gamertag through the Xbox app on console or PC, or through Xbox.com in a web browser.
  • The change takes effect when ready, but you must wait 30 days before changing it again for free.
  • Gamertags must be between 3 and 15 characters, cannot contain spaces, and cannot include profanity or slurs.
  • If someone else has taken the name you want, the system will tell you when ready and suggest alternatives.

Step-by-step: changing your gamertag on console

On an 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 card at the top left, then select "Profile." Choose "Customize profile" and then "Edit gamertag." The system will show you your current name and a text field for the new one.

Type the name you want. As you type, Xbox will check whether it's available. If the name is taken, you'll see a message saying so, and the system will suggest similar names that are free. If your choice is available, select "Check availability" to confirm, then choose "Save" or "Confirm." The change happens when ready, and your new gamertag will appear the next time you sign in.

Changing your gamertag through Xbox.com or the Xbox app on PC

Go to Xbox.com and sign in with your Microsoft account. Select your profile picture in the top right corner, then choose "My profile." Look for the "Customize profile" button and select it. You'll see an "Edit gamertag" option — click it to open the change screen.

Type your new gamertag and wait for the system to check availability. If it's free, you'll see a green checkmark. If it's taken, the system will show you that and offer alternatives. Once you've chosen an available name, click "Save" or "Confirm" to explore the change. On the Xbox app for Windows, the process is identical: open the app, go to your profile, select "Customize profile," and choose "Edit gamertag."

What names are allowed and what will be rejected

Gamertags must be between 3 and 15 characters long. You can use letters, numbers, and spaces (though spaces count as characters). Xbox will reject any name that contains profanity, slurs, hate speech, or references to illegal activity. The system also blocks names that impersonate Xbox staff, celebrities, or well-known brands.

Names that are too similar to existing ones may also be blocked — for example, if someone has "Shadow" as their gamertag, Xbox may not allow "Sh4dow" or "Shadoww" to prevent confusion. If your chosen name is rejected and you're not sure why, try a different variation. The system will tell you whether a name is unavailable because it's taken, because it violates the code of conduct, or because it's too similar to an existing one.

The 30-day rule and when you'll pay the fee

Your first gamertag change is always free, no matter when you do it. After that, you can change your gamertag again for free if you wait at least 30 days from your last change. If you change it again within 30 days, you'll be charged 800 Microsoft Points.

Microsoft Points are purchased through your Xbox account. 800 points costs about $10, though the exact price may vary slightly by region. You can buy points through the Xbox app, Xbox.com, or on your console. Once you've purchased them, they stay in your account and can be used for gamertag changes, games, or other content.

What happens to your old gamertag after you change it

When you change your gamertag, your old one becomes available for someone else to claim after a short period. Your profile, achievements, game history, and friends list all stay with your account — they're tied to your Microsoft account, not to the gamertag itself. Anyone who had you added as a friend will still see you in their friends list, though your name will update to the new gamertag.

If you had a custom gamerpic or bio, those stay with your account too. The only thing that changes is the name displayed when you play and in your profile. If you change your mind and want your old gamertag back, you can change it again (paying the fee if it's within 30 days), but only if no one else has claimed it in the meantime.

Troubleshooting: what to do if the change won't go through

If you see an error message when trying to change your gamertag, first check that you're signed into the correct Microsoft account. If you have multiple accounts on your console, make sure you're on the one you want to change. Sign out completely, then sign back in and try again.

If the system says your name is unavailable but you don't see why it was rejected, try a different spelling or variation. If you believe a name was blocked incorrectly, you can contact Xbox Support through the Xbox app or Xbox.com — select "Help," then "Contact us," and describe the issue. Support can review why a specific name was rejected, though they cannot override the code of conduct rules. If you're trying to pay the fee and it's not going through, check that your payment method is valid and that you have enough Microsoft Points or credit on your account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my gamertag back to my old one?

Yes, if no one else has claimed it. You can change your gamertag to any available name, including a previous one. If someone else took your old gamertag after you changed it, you'll have to choose something different or wait for them to change theirs.

Do my friends see my old gamertag or my new one?

Your friends see your new gamertag when ready. Their friends list updates automatically, and any messages or party invites will show your new name. Your game history and achievements stay linked to your account, so they'll still see your stats under your new name.

What if I want to change my gamertag but I'm not sure what to pick?

Try a few options in the edit gamertag screen — the system will tell you when ready whether each one is available. If you're stuck, Xbox will suggest alternatives based on names you've tried. You can also take your time deciding; there's no rush, and you can always change it again later (though you'll pay the fee if it's within 30 days).

Can I have spaces in my gamertag?

Yes, spaces are allowed and count toward your 3 to 15 character limit. For example, "Cool Gamer" is a valid gamertag. However, some players avoid spaces because they can be harder to type or remember.

Will changing my gamertag affect my Game Pass or my games?

No. Your Game Pass subscription, game library, and all your games stay with your Microsoft account. Changing your gamertag only changes the name that appears when you play — it doesn't affect what you own or what you can access.