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

Scratch allows you to change the username on your account, but the site enforces a 30-day waiting period between changes. This means if you changed your username last week, you cannot change it again until 30 days have passed from that change. The restriction exists to prevent spam and keep usernames stable for other community members who follow your work.

The change takes effect when ready once you confirm it. Your old username becomes available for other users to claim after a short delay, and all your projects, comments, and profile history stay attached to your account under the new name.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your username through your account settings on the Scratch website, but you must wait 30 days between changes.
  • The new username appears on your profile and all your projects right away, but your old username does not become available to others for a few hours.
  • Changing your username does not affect your projects, followers, or any data stored in your account.
  • If you cannot change your username because of the 30-day rule, you will see the exact date when you can change it again.

Steps to change your username

Log into your Scratch account and click your username in the top right corner of the page. Select "Account Settings" from the dropdown menu. On the Account Settings page, find the "Username" field near the top. Click the pencil icon next to your current username to edit it.

Type your new username into the field. Scratch will check whether the name is available and whether it follows the site's community guidelines — usernames cannot contain offensive language or impersonate other users. If the name is available and acceptable, a green checkmark appears. Click "Change username" to confirm. The change is complete once you see the confirmation message.

What happens to your old username

Your old username becomes available for other users to claim, but not when ready. Scratch holds the old name for a few hours before releasing it into the pool of available usernames. This delay prevents confusion if someone visits your profile during the transition.

All your existing projects, followers, and comments remain attached to your account and now display under your new username. Other users who have bookmarked your profile or followed your work will still be able to find you — Scratch redirects the old username to your new one for a period of time, though this redirect is not permanent.

The 30-day waiting period explained

Once you change your username, you cannot change it again for 30 days. This timer starts from the moment you confirm the change, not from when you first tried to change it. If you change your username on March 15, you can change it again on April 14 or later.

The waiting period applies to every user equally, regardless of account age or status. If you are within the 30-day window, your Account Settings page will show you the exact date when you can change your username again. There is no way to bypass this restriction or request an exception.

Usernames that Scratch will not allow

Scratch rejects usernames that contain profanity, slurs, or hateful language. The site also blocks names that impersonate Scratch Team members or well-known community figures. Usernames that are already taken by another active account will be rejected, even if that account has not been used recently.

Names that are purely numbers or that match the format of a Scratch project ID may also be blocked. If you see an error message saying your username is not allowed, try a different name. The error message usually indicates whether the name is taken, contains blocked words, or violates another rule.

If you cannot remember your username

If you have forgotten your username but remember your email address, you can recover it. Go to the Scratch login page and click "I forgot my username." Enter the email address associated with your account, and Scratch will send you a message with your current username. You can then log in and change it if you want to.

If you do not remember your email address either, you can contact the Scratch Team through their support form on the Scratch website. They can help you regain access to your account, though the process may take several days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username more than once in 30 days?

No. Scratch enforces a strict 30-day waiting period between username changes. You must wait the full 30 days from your last change before you can change it again. The site will show you the exact date when your next change becomes available.

Will my projects disappear if I change my username?

No. All your projects, followers, comments, and account data stay with your account. Your projects will now display under your new username, but they are not deleted or hidden. Other users can still find and view them.

Can someone else take my old username right after I change it?

Not when ready. Scratch holds your old username for a few hours before making it available to other users. This prevents confusion during the transition. After that delay, yes, another user can claim it if they want to.

What if the username I want is already taken?

You cannot use a username that belongs to an active account. Try a different name instead. If you believe a username is being held by an inactive or abandoned account, you can contact the Scratch Team, but they rarely reassign usernames from inactive accounts.

Does changing my username affect my password?

No. Your password stays the same. You log in with your email address and password, not your username, so changing your username does not require you to change your password or reset your account in any way.