You can change your Minecraft name once every 30 days through your Microsoft account

To change the name other players see when you play Minecraft Java Edition or Bedrock Edition, you log into your Microsoft account on the official Minecraft website and use the name change tool. The process takes a few minutes and costs nothing. You can change your name once every 30 days — if you try to change it again before 30 days have passed, the website will tell you when you can make the next change.

The name you change is your player name, which is what appears above your character in the game and in chat. This is different from your Microsoft account email address, which stays the same. Your old name becomes available for someone else to claim after 30 days, so if you change your mind, you need to change back within that window.

Key Takeaways

  • You change your Minecraft name through your Microsoft account on minecraft.net, not through the game itself.
  • The name change tool is free and takes effect when ready in Java Edition, but may take a few minutes to show up in Bedrock Edition.
  • You can change your name once every 30 days, and your old name becomes available to others after that period ends.
  • If you play on a server or realm, other players may still see your old name briefly until their game reloads.

How to access the name change tool on minecraft.net

Go to minecraft.net in your web browser and click the sign-in button in the top right corner. Enter the email address and password for your Microsoft account — this is the same account you use to launch the game. If you have not yet linked your Minecraft account to a Microsoft account, the website will walk you through that process first.

Once you are signed in, look for your profile or account settings. The exact location varies slightly depending on whether you are on a computer or phone, but it is usually in a menu near your player name or profile picture. Click on it, then look for an option that says "Change name" or "Profile name". This button takes you to the name change tool.

Entering your new name and confirming the change

The name change tool shows your current name and a text box where you type your new name. Minecraft names can be 3 to 16 characters long and can include letters, numbers, and underscores. Spaces and special characters like hyphens or periods are not allowed. Type the name you want and the website will check whether it is already taken — if it is, you will see a message and need to choose a different one.

Once you find a name that is available, click the button to confirm the change. The website may ask you to verify your identity by entering a code sent to your email address. This is a security step and takes less than a minute. After you confirm, your new name is active when ready in Java Edition. In Bedrock Edition, it may take a few minutes to show up everywhere.

What happens to your old name and what other players see

Your old player name does not disappear right away. For 30 days, nobody else can claim it, and you can change back to it if you want to. After 30 days, your old name becomes available for someone else to take. If you want to keep your old name, you need to change back before that 30-day window closes.

Other players may see your old name briefly after you change it, especially if they are playing on a server or realm with you. This happens because their game has not reloaded the player list yet. Once they rejoin the server or restart the game, they will see your new name. In single-player worlds, the change shows up when ready.

If the name change tool is not working

If you cannot find the name change button on minecraft.net, make sure you are signed into your Microsoft account. Some older Minecraft accounts that were never migrated to Microsoft accounts cannot change names through the website. If that is the case, you will see a message telling you to migrate your account first — the website has a separate tool for that, and it is free.

If you see a message saying you have already changed your name recently, you have hit the 30-day limit. The website tells you the exact date when you can change again. If you are locked out and believe it is a mistake, you can contact Minecraft Support through the official website, though response times vary.

Changing your name on servers and realms

When you change your Minecraft name, it changes everywhere you play — in single-player worlds, on servers, and in realms. You do not need to do anything separately on those platforms. However, some servers keep their own player records or ban lists that use your old name. If you were banned from a server under your old name, changing your name does not lift that ban, because the server can still identify you by your unique player ID, which never changes.

If you play on a realm you own, your name change takes effect for all players on that realm. If you play on someone else's realm, they will see your new name the next time they load the realm or check the player list.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my name more than once every 30 days?

No. Minecraft limits name changes to once per 30 days. If you try to change your name before 30 days have passed since your last change, the website will show you the date when you can change again. You cannot pay to change your name more frequently.

What if someone takes my old name after 30 days?

Once 30 days pass, your old name becomes available to anyone. If someone claims it before you change back, you cannot get it back. If you want to keep your old name, change back to it before the 30-day window closes.

Does changing my name affect my worlds or inventory?

No. Your worlds, inventory, and progress stay exactly the same. Only the name that appears above your character changes. Your unique player ID, which the game uses to track your data, never changes.

Why does my old name still show on servers I play on?

Servers cache player information, which means they store a copy of your name locally. It usually updates within a few minutes or when you rejoin the server. If your old name persists for longer, try leaving and rejoining the server, or restart the game entirely.