Change your Valorant in-game name through the client, your Riot account username through the website

Valorant has two separate names: your in-game name (the one other players see) and your Riot account username (what you use to log in). You change them in different places. The in-game name changes inside the Valorant client itself. Your Riot username changes on the Riot Games website, but this affects login across all Riot games, not just Valorant.

Most players want to change their in-game name because they dislike how it looks in matches or on their profile. That takes two minutes in the client. If you want to change what you type into the login screen, that's a separate process on the Riot website and has restrictions on how often you can do it.

Key Takeaways

  • Your in-game Valorant name (what teammates see) changes inside the Valorant client under Account Settings, and you can change it as often as you want.
  • Your Riot account username (what you type to log in) changes on the Riot Games website and applies to all Riot games you play, not just Valorant.
  • Riot usernames can only be changed once every 30 days, and the change takes effect the next time you log in.
  • Changing your in-game name costs 1,000 Valorant Points (VP) the first time, then 100 VP for each change after that.

How to change your in-game Valorant name

Open the Valorant client and log in. Click your profile icon in the top right corner, then select Account. Look for the section labeled Riot ID — this shows your current in-game name and tag (the four-digit number after your name). Click the pencil icon or Edit button next to your Riot ID.

Type your new name in the text field. Valorant names can be 1 to 16 characters long and cannot contain certain symbols or offensive words. The system will tell you when ready if your choice is blocked. Once you enter a name you want, you'll see the cost: 1,000 VP for your first change, then 100 VP for every change after that. Click Confirm and the change takes effect right away. Your new name appears to other players in your next match.

You cannot reserve a specific tag number — Valorant assigns it randomly when you create the name. If you change your name later, you get a new tag. Two players can have the same name as long as their tags are different, so "James#1234" and "James#5678" are both valid and separate accounts.

How to change your Riot account username

Go to account.riot.com and log in with your current username and password. Click Username in the left menu. You'll see your current username and a button to change it. Click Change Username.

Enter your new username. Riot usernames must be 3 to 16 characters, can include letters, numbers, and underscores, and cannot start with a number. The system checks availability in real time — if someone else has taken the name, you'll see a message and need to pick something else. Once you find an available name, click Change. The change takes effect the next time you log out and log back in.

You can only change your Riot username once every 30 days. If you changed it recently, the website will show you when you're allowed to change it again. This restriction applies across all Riot games — changing your username for League of Legends affects your Valorant login too.

The difference between Riot username and in-game name

Your Riot username is what you type into the login screen. It's tied to your account across all Riot games. When you change it, you use the new username to log in everywhere — Valorant, League of Legends, Teamfight Tactics, and any other Riot game you play. Other players never see this name unless you tell them.

Your in-game name (Riot ID) is what appears above your character in Valorant matches, on your profile, and in chat. Only Valorant players see this. You can change it as many times as you want, but each change costs VP. Your in-game name and Riot username are completely separate — changing one does not change the other.

What to do if your desired name is taken

If the in-game name you want is already in use, you cannot have it. Valorant does not hold names for inactive accounts, so even names belonging to players who haven't logged in for months are still reserved. You'll need to pick a different name or add numbers or symbols to make it unique. The tag number assigned to you is random, so you cannot claim a specific tag even if the base name is available.

If the Riot username you want is taken, the website will show you that during the change process. Try variations: add numbers at the end, use underscores between words, or shorten the name. Riot usernames are account-wide, so they're more likely to be taken than in-game names.

Costs and restrictions on name changes

Changing your in-game Valorant name costs VP, which is Valorant's premium currency bought with real money. Your first name change costs 1,000 VP. Every change after that costs 100 VP. There's no limit on how many times you can change your in-game name, so you can experiment freely once you've paid the initial cost.

Changing your Riot username is free, but you can only do it once every 30 days. The 30-day timer starts from the moment you make the change, not from when you log in with the new name. If you change your username and then want to change it again, you'll have to wait a full month.

Troubleshooting name change problems

If you see an error when trying to change your in-game name, the most common cause is that the name is already taken or contains a blocked word. Valorant's filter catches offensive language, slurs, and some brand names. Try removing numbers or symbols and see if a simpler version works. If the system says the name is unavailable, someone else has it and you'll need to pick something different.

If you're trying to change your Riot username and the website says you can't, check whether you've changed it in the last 30 days. The website shows the exact date you're allowed to change it again. If you're locked out longer than 30 days, contact Riot Support — this usually means there's a hold on your account for security reasons.

If your name change doesn't appear in-game after you've confirmed it, log out of the Valorant client completely and log back in. For Riot username changes, you must log out and log back in for the new username to work. Restarting the client usually fixes display issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my name back to what it was before?

Yes, but only if no one else has claimed it. If you change your in-game name and then want to go back, you can — as long as the old name is still available. You'll pay 100 VP for the change. For Riot usernames, you can change back to a previous username if it's not taken, but you still have to wait 30 days between changes.

Do I lose my rank or stats if I change my name?

No. Your rank, match history, and all statistics stay with your account no matter how many times you change your name. Changing your name is purely cosmetic and does not affect your account data or competitive standing.

What happens if I change my Riot username but keep the same in-game name?

Your in-game name stays the same in Valorant matches. Other players see no difference. Only you and anyone who knows your login credentials will notice the change — you'll type the new username into the login screen, but your Valorant name in-game remains unchanged.

Can I use special characters or emojis in my name?

In-game Valorant names can use letters, numbers, and a few symbols, but not emojis or most special characters. Riot usernames can only use letters, numbers, and underscores. If you try to use a character that's not allowed, the system will reject it and tell you which characters are blocked.

How long does a name change take to show up?

In-game name changes show up when ready in the client and in your next match. Riot username changes take effect the next time you log in — log out completely, then log back in with your new username and it will work.