You can change your Scratch username, but only once every 30 days

Scratch lets you change the username on your account, but the platform enforces a waiting period between changes. Once you change your username, you must wait 30 days before you can change it again. This limit exists to prevent spam and keep the community stable. If you have never changed your username before, you can do it right now — there is no initial waiting period, only the 30-day window after each change.

The change takes effect when ready across your profile, your projects, and your comments. Other users will see your new name on anything you post or create from that moment forward. Your old username does not appear anywhere once the change is complete, though the projects you made under the old name stay in your account.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your username once every 30 days by going to your account settings on the Scratch website.
  • The change happens right away and shows up on your profile, projects, and all your comments.
  • Your old username is not reserved for you — another user can claim it after you change yours.
  • If you forget your password, you cannot change your username until you reset it through your email address.
  • Scratch does not let you change your username through the mobile app; you must use the website.

Step-by-step: changing your username on the website

Log into your Scratch account on the website (scratch.mit.edu). Click the icon in the top right corner that shows your current username, then select "Account settings" from the dropdown menu.

On the Account settings page, look for the "Change username" section. Type your new username into the text box. Scratch will tell you right away if the name is already taken or if it breaks the community guidelines — usernames cannot contain certain words or characters. Once you enter a name that works, click the button to confirm the change.

The system will ask you to type your password to verify it is really you making the change. Enter your password and submit. Your new username is now active. If you see an error message saying you have changed your username recently, you must wait until the 30-day window has passed before trying again.

What happens to your old username and your projects

When you change your username, your old name becomes available for another user to claim. Scratch does not hold it for you or let you switch back to it later. If you think you might want to use your old username again someday, you should know that someone else could take it.

All the projects you created under your old username stay in your account and stay under your ownership. They do not get deleted or moved. When someone visits your profile or looks at one of your old projects, they will see your new username as the creator, not the old one. Comments you made on other projects will also show your new username.

Reasons your username change might not work

If you see a message that says you cannot change your username right now, the most common reason is that you changed it within the last 30 days. The system will not let you change it again until that window closes. You can check when you will be able to change it next by looking at the error message — it usually tells you the date.

Your username might also be rejected if it contains words or phrases that violate Scratch's community guidelines. The platform blocks usernames that are offensive, impersonate other users, or advertise external websites. If your chosen name is blocked, try a different one. Scratch will let you know which part of the name caused the problem.

If you have forgotten your password, you cannot change your username until you reset it. Go to the Scratch login page, click "I forgot my password," and follow the steps to reset it using your email address. Once your password is reset, you can change your username normally.

Changing your username on mobile devices

The Scratch mobile app does not have a username-change feature. You must use the website on a computer, tablet, or phone browser to make this change. Open scratch.mit.edu in your browser, log in, and follow the steps above. The mobile app will show your new username once the change is complete, but you cannot start the change from within the app itself.

If you are using a phone or tablet, open your web browser and go to scratch.mit.edu rather than opening the app. The website version works the same way on mobile devices as it does on a desktop computer, and you will have access to all the account settings you need.

What you should know before changing your username

Think carefully about your new username before you submit it. While you can change it again after 30 days, changing usernames frequently can confuse people who follow your work or collaborate with you on projects. If you share project links with others, the links still work after you change your username — the link points to your account, not to the username itself.

If you are part of a Scratch studio or a shared project with other users, changing your username does not affect your role or permissions in those spaces. You will still be listed as a contributor or manager under your new name. Other studio members will see the change reflected in the studio's member list.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username more than once?

Yes, but you must wait 30 days between changes. After you change your username, the next change will not be available for 30 days from that date. The system will tell you the exact date when you can change it again.

What if someone else takes my old username?

Once you change your username, your old name is available for any other user to claim. Scratch does not reserve it for you. If you are worried about this, you could create a second account with your old username to hold it, though Scratch's terms of service ask users not to create multiple accounts for this purpose.

Will my projects disappear if I change my username?

No. All your projects stay in your account and under your ownership. They will straightforward show your new username as the creator. The projects themselves, their code, and all comments on them remain unchanged.

Can I change my username if I do not remember my password?

No. You must reset your password first by clicking "I forgot my password" on the login page and following the email recovery steps. Once your password is reset, you can change your username normally.

Does changing my username affect my followers or the people I follow?

No. Your follower relationships stay the same. People who follow you will continue to follow you under your new username, and you will continue to follow the accounts you followed before. The change is purely cosmetic to your name.