Where to change your Minecraft name

You change your Minecraft name through the official Minecraft website, not inside the game itself. The process takes about five minutes and costs nothing. Your old name becomes available for other players to use after 30 days, so if you change your mind quickly, you can change back before someone else claims it.

The name you see in-game is called your username or gamertag. This is different from your Microsoft account email, which stays the same. When you change your username, only the name other players see changes — your account login and all your worlds stay exactly as they are.

You need to own the Java Edition of Minecraft to change your name this way. If you play Minecraft on Windows 10, Windows 11, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, or Xbox, your name is tied to your Microsoft account and cannot be changed through the website — those versions use your Microsoft account name instead.

Key Takeaways

  • Go to minecraft.net, sign in with your Microsoft account, and click your profile name in the top right to find the name change option.
  • Your new name takes effect when ready in-game, but other players may see your old name for a few minutes while the change spreads across servers.
  • You can change your name once every 30 days, and your old name becomes available for others to use after 30 days.
  • If you play Minecraft on console or Windows 10/11 Edition, you cannot change your name through the website — your Microsoft account name is permanent.

Step-by-step: changing your name on the Minecraft website

Start by opening a web browser and going to minecraft.net. Sign in with the Microsoft account that owns your Minecraft Java Edition. If you are not sure whether you have a Microsoft account or a Mojang account, try signing in — Microsoft merged all Mojang accounts into Microsoft accounts years ago, so your old login should work.

Once you are signed in, look for your profile name or avatar in the top right corner of the page. Click it. A dropdown menu will appear with several options. Look for a button or link that says "Change name" or "Profile" — the exact wording changes occasionally, but it will be near the top of this menu. Click it.

You will see your current username displayed. Below it is a text box where you can type your new name. Type the name you want, then click the button to confirm the change. The website will tell you when ready if the name is already taken or if it breaks the naming rules — names cannot contain spaces, must be between 3 and 16 characters, and cannot include certain symbols.

Once the change is confirmed, your new name is active. You may need to restart Minecraft or log out and back in to see the change in-game, but it usually appears within a few minutes. Other players on multiplayer servers may see your old name for a short time while the change spreads across the network.

What happens to your old name

Your old username does not disappear when ready. For 30 days after you change it, no one else can claim that name — it is reserved for you in case you want to change back. After 30 days, the name becomes available and any other player can claim it. If you realize you made a mistake within those 30 days, you can change your name back to your original one without waiting.

Your worlds, skins, and all your game progress stay with your account no matter what name you use. Changing your name does not delete anything or move your account. Friends who have you added will still see you in their friends list, though your name will update to the new one.

Troubleshooting: name change is not working

If you see a message that says you cannot change your name yet, you may have changed it within the last 30 days. The website will tell you exactly when you can change it again. You can only change your name once every 30 days, so if you changed it recently, you will have to wait.

If the name you want is taken, try a variation — add a number, underscore, or different spelling. The website will show you whether a name is available as you type it. If you are sure the name should be available but the website says it is taken, wait a few hours and try again — sometimes the system needs time to update.

If you cannot sign in to minecraft.net at all, make sure you are using the correct Microsoft account. If you have multiple accounts, you may be signing in to the wrong one. Try resetting your Microsoft password if you are not sure. You can do this at account.microsoft.com without leaving your browser.

Why your name might not change in-game right away

Even though the change is when ready on the website, Minecraft servers take a few minutes to update. You might see your old name in-game for up to 10 minutes after you change it, especially on multiplayer servers. This is normal and not a problem — the change will spread across all servers eventually.

If you are still seeing your old name after 30 minutes, restart the Minecraft launcher completely. Close it entirely, wait a few seconds, and open it again. Log out of your account in the launcher and log back in. This forces the launcher to fetch your current profile information from the servers.

Changing your name on console or Windows 10/11 Edition

If you play Minecraft on Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, or Windows 10/11 Edition, you cannot change your name through minecraft.net. These versions use your Microsoft account name, which is permanent and shared across all Microsoft services. Your Microsoft account name is what appears as your gamertag in these versions.

If you want a different name in these versions, you would need to create a new Microsoft account with the name you want, then buy Minecraft again on that account. This is not practical for most people, so most console players keep their Microsoft account name. Some players use a custom skin or cape to personalize their appearance instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my name back to my old one?

Yes, within 30 days of changing it. After 30 days, your old name becomes available for anyone to claim, so you cannot use it again unless no one has claimed it yet. If someone else has taken your old name, you cannot get it back.

Do my friends see my old name or new name?

Your friends will see your new name when ready in their friends list and in-game, though there may be a delay of a few minutes on multiplayer servers. Your account stays the same — only the name changes.

Will changing my name delete my worlds or skins?

No. Your worlds, skins, and all progress stay with your account. Changing your name only changes what other players see — nothing in your account is deleted or moved.

What if the name I want is already taken?

Try a different variation — add numbers, underscores, or change the spelling slightly. The minecraft.net website will tell you when ready whether a name is available as you type it. You can keep trying different names until you find one that is not taken.

How often can I change my name?

You can change your name once every 30 days. If you have changed it recently, the website will show you the exact date you can change it again. You cannot change it more frequently than that.