You can change your Xbox Gamertag through your Microsoft account settings in about five minutes
Your Xbox Gamertag is the name that appears when you play online and that other players see. You change it by signing into your Microsoft account on Xbox.com or through your console, navigating to your profile settings, and selecting the option to change your Gamertag. The first change is free. After that, each change costs money — the exact amount varies by region, but it is typically between $8 and $10 USD.
The process is the same whether you play on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, or through Xbox Game Pass on PC. Your new Gamertag takes effect when ready across all your devices and all games you play through your Microsoft account.
Key Takeaways
- Your first Gamertag change is free, but subsequent changes cost money, usually $8 to $10 depending on your region.
- You can change your Gamertag on Xbox.com, on your console, or through the Xbox app on Windows — all three routes reach the same settings.
- Your new Gamertag appears when ready in all games and on your profile, but some games may take a few hours to update their own leaderboards or friend lists.
- You cannot use a Gamertag that is already taken, contains profanity, or violates Xbox's code of conduct, and Xbox will reject it before you confirm the change.
- If you change your Gamertag, your friends can still find you because the change is tied to your Microsoft account, not a separate identity.
Changing your Gamertag on Xbox.com
The fastest route is through your web browser. Go to Xbox.com, sign in with your Microsoft account, and select your profile icon in the top right corner. Click "My profile" and then look for "Customize profile" or "Edit profile" — the exact wording varies slightly depending on your region. You will see a section labeled "Gamertag" with your current name.
Click on the Gamertag field and type your new name. Xbox will check in real time whether the name is available. If it is taken, you will see a red X and a message saying so. If it is available, you will see a green checkmark. Once you have a name that is available and that you want to keep, click "Save" or "Confirm". If this is your first change, you will not be charged. If you have changed your Gamertag before, you will be asked to pay before the change goes through.
Changing your Gamertag on your Xbox console
You can also change your Gamertag directly from your console without opening a web browser. Press the Xbox button on your controller to open the guide menu. Go to "Profile & system" and then select "Profile". Highlight your account and press A. Select "Customize profile" and then "Gamertag".
From there, the process is identical to the web route: type your new name, wait for Xbox to check availability, and confirm when you see the green checkmark. You will be charged when ready if this is not your first change. The new Gamertag will appear on your console and across all your devices within seconds.
Changing your Gamertag through the Xbox app on Windows
If you play games on Windows through the Xbox app, you can change your Gamertag there as well. Open the Xbox app, select your profile icon in the top left, and click "View profile". Select "Edit profile" and then "Gamertag". The availability check and confirmation process work the same way as on Xbox.com or your console.
This route is useful if you are already in the Xbox app playing a game and want to change your name without closing the game or opening a browser. The change takes effect when ready in the app and on all your other devices.
What names Xbox will reject
Xbox checks your Gamertag against several rules before allowing the change. You cannot use a name that is already taken by another player. You cannot use profanity, slurs, or names that reference illegal activity. You also cannot use names that impersonate Microsoft staff, Xbox moderators, or well-known public figures — Xbox's system flags these automatically.
Names that are too long (more than 16 characters) or that contain only numbers or special characters will also be rejected. If Xbox rejects your name, you will see a message explaining why. You can then type a different name and try again. There is no limit to how many times you can try different names before you confirm and pay.
How long the change takes to show up everywhere
Your new Gamertag appears on your Xbox profile and in your console settings when ready. In most games, it will show up in the next few seconds. However, some games maintain their own leaderboards, friend lists, or chat systems that are separate from your Xbox profile. Those games may take a few hours to update your name in their own databases.
For example, if you are playing a game that has its own in-game leaderboard, your old Gamertag might still appear on that leaderboard for a few hours while the game syncs with your Microsoft account. Your friends will see your new name when ready in their Xbox friends list, but they might see your old name in that specific game's chat for a short time. This is normal and resolves on its own.
What happens to your account and friends when you change your Gamertag
Your Microsoft account stays the same when you change your Gamertag. Your friends do not need to re-add you because they are connected to your account, not to your Gamertag. When you change your name, they will straightforward see the new name in their friends list the next time they check.
Your game saves, achievements, and play history all stay attached to your account. Changing your Gamertag does not reset your progress in any game or affect your Game Pass subscription. Your account's security settings, payment methods, and email address remain unchanged. The only thing that changes is the name that appears when you play.
The cost of changing your Gamertag more than once
Your first Gamertag change is free. Every change after that costs money. The price varies by region — in the United States it is typically $9.99 USD, but other countries may have different amounts. You will see the exact price in your region before you confirm the change, so you will know the cost before you are charged.
You can change your Gamertag as often as you want, as long as you are willing to pay each time. There is no limit on how many changes you can make. If you change your mind within a short window, some regions allow you to request a refund, but this depends on your local consumer protection laws and Microsoft's refund policy at the time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my Gamertag back to my old one?
Yes, you can change your Gamertag to any available name, including a previous one you used. However, if someone else has taken your old Gamertag in the meantime, you will not be able to use it. You will have to choose a different name or wait to see if that person changes their Gamertag.
Will my friends still be able to find me after I change my Gamertag?
Yes. Your friends are connected to your Microsoft account, not to your Gamertag. When you change your name, they will see the new name in their friends list automatically. You do not need to send them a new friend request or tell them your new account.
Do I have to pay to change my Gamertag on my console versus on Xbox.com?
No. The cost is the same regardless of which device you use to make the change. Your first change is free everywhere. After that, each change costs the same amount whether you change it on your console, through Xbox.com, or through the Xbox app on Windows.
What if the Gamertag I want is taken?
You will need to choose a different name. Xbox shows you in real time whether a name is available as you type. If the name you want is taken, try adding numbers, underscores, or slight variations. You can try as many different names as you want before you confirm and pay.
How long does it take for my new Gamertag to show up in games?
Your new Gamertag appears in most games within seconds. However, some games that have their own leaderboards or chat systems may take a few hours to update your name in their own databases. Your Xbox profile and friends list will show the new name when ready.