Change your username through your account settings

To change your Scratch username, log into your account, click your username in the top right corner, select "Account settings," then click the "Change" button next to your username. Type your new username (it must be between 3 and 20 characters, contain only letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores, and cannot start with a number). Click "Change username" to confirm.

The change takes effect when ready. Your old username becomes available for other users to claim after a short delay, usually within a few hours. Any projects you created, comments you posted, or followers you gained stay connected to your new username — nothing is lost when you change it.

You can change your username once every 30 days. If you try to change it again before 30 days have passed, Scratch will show you the date when you can make your next change. This limit prevents people from switching usernames constantly and confusing the community.

Key Takeaways

  • Your username must be 3 to 20 characters long and can only contain letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores.
  • You can change your username once every 30 days, and the change takes effect right away.
  • All your projects, comments, and followers stay with your new username — nothing disappears when you switch.
  • Your old username becomes available for others to use after a few hours.

What happens to your projects and profile after you change

When you change your username, every project you created still shows under your new name. If someone bookmarked your profile or followed you before the change, they continue following your new username automatically. Comments you left on other people's projects also display under your new username.

The only thing that changes is what people see when they look at your profile or click your name. Your account history, statistics, and all your work remain exactly as it was. If you shared a link to your old profile with someone, that link will no longer work — they will need to search for your new username to find you.

Usernames that Scratch will not let you use

Scratch blocks certain usernames for safety and community reasons. You cannot use a username that is already taken by another active account. You also cannot use usernames that contain words Scratch has flagged as inappropriate, even if those words appear in the middle of a longer username.

Usernames that impersonate Scratch staff, famous people, or other well-known accounts are also rejected. If you try to use a blocked username, Scratch will tell you it is unavailable and suggest you try a different one. The error message does not always explain why — if you are unsure, try adding a number or a short word to your desired username and try again.

If you cannot access your account to change your username

If you forgot your password, go to the Scratch login page and click "I forgot my password." Enter the email address connected to your account, and Scratch will send you a link to reset it. Check your spam folder if you do not see the email within a few minutes. Once you reset your password, log in and follow the steps above to change your username.

If you do not remember the email address you used when you created your account, or if you cannot access that email, visit the Scratch contact form at scratch.mit.edu/contact-us. Describe your situation and include any details you remember about your account — the Scratch team can help you regain access. Response times vary, but they typically reply within several days.

Changing your username on mobile or tablet

The steps are the same on mobile as on a computer. Log in to Scratch through your web browser (not the Scratch app, which does not have account settings). Tap your username in the top right, select "Account settings," and tap "Change" next to your username. Type your new username and confirm the change.

If you use the Scratch app on a phone or tablet, you cannot change your username from within the app. You must open a web browser, go to scratch.mit.edu, log in, and use the steps above. The app will automatically show your new username once you have changed it on the website.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes, but only after 30 days have passed since your last change. If you changed your username yesterday, you must wait until the 30-day period ends before you can change it again — even if you want to switch back to your original name. Once the 30 days are up, you can change to any available username, including your old one.

What if someone else took my old username after I changed mine?

You cannot force them to give it back. Once your old username becomes available, any user can claim it. If you want that username back, you would need to wait until they stop using it and it becomes available again — which could take a very long time. Choose a new username you are happy with long-term to avoid this problem.

Does changing my username affect my Scratch studio or shared projects?

No. Studios you created, projects you shared, and collaborations you joined all stay connected to your new username. Anyone who has access to a shared project or studio will see your new username when they open it. The project or studio itself does not need to be updated.

Can I use spaces or special characters in my username?

No. Scratch only allows letters (A–Z, a–z), numbers (0–9), hyphens (-), and underscores (_). Spaces, periods, commas, and other special characters are not permitted. If you want to separate words in your username, use a hyphen or underscore instead of a space.

Will my followers be notified when I change my username?

No. Your followers will not receive a notification about the change. They will straightforward see your new username the next time they visit your profile or see your activity. If you want to let people know you have a new username, you can post a comment on your profile or in a studio you manage.