You can change your Scratch username once every 30 days through your account settings

To change your username on Scratch, log into your account, go to your account settings page, find the "Change Username" option, type your new name, and click the button to confirm. The change takes effect when ready. You can only make this change once per 30-day period, so choose carefully — Scratch counts the days from your last change, not from a calendar month.

Your old username becomes available for other people to claim after you change it. If you want to keep that name reserved, you'll need to create a separate account and not change it. Projects, comments, and followers stay attached to your account no matter what username you pick, so changing your name won't erase your work or your community connections.

Key Takeaways

  • Log in to Scratch, click your account icon in the top right, and select "Account Settings" to find the username change option.
  • You can change your username once every 30 days, and the change happens right away.
  • Your old username becomes available for others to use after you change it, so pick a new one you plan to keep.
  • All your projects, followers, and comments stay with your account when you change your username.
  • Scratch usernames can be 3 to 20 characters long and cannot contain spaces or special characters.

Step-by-step instructions for changing your username

Start by logging into your Scratch account at scratch.mit.edu. Once you're logged in, look for your account icon — it's a small circle or image in the top right corner of the page, next to the search bar. Click that icon to open a dropdown menu.

From the dropdown menu, select "Account Settings." This takes you to a page with several options for managing your account. Scroll down until you see the section labeled "Change Username." 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 naming rules. Once you've entered a username that works, click the button to confirm the change. That's it — your new username is live.

Rules for what your new username can be

Scratch usernames must be between 3 and 20 characters long. You can use letters (uppercase and lowercase), numbers, and underscores. You cannot use spaces, hyphens, periods, or any other special characters. Scratch will reject your choice if it contains anything outside these rules.

Scratch also blocks usernames that are already taken or that violate the community guidelines — for example, usernames that are offensive or impersonate someone else. If you see an error message when you try to confirm your new username, read it carefully. It will tell you whether the name is taken, too short, too long, or contains forbidden characters.

What happens to your old username

Once you change your username, your old one becomes available for anyone else to claim. This happens when ready. If you're worried about someone else using your old name, there's no way to lock it or reserve it — the only way to keep a username is to not change it.

If you think you might want to go back to your old username later, you can change back to it as long as no one else has claimed it in the meantime. However, you still have to wait 30 days between changes. This means if you change from "Alice" to "Alice2" today, you cannot change back to "Alice" until 30 days from now — and only if "Alice" is still unclaimed.

The 30-day waiting period between changes

Scratch enforces a 30-day cooldown between username changes. This means once you change your username, you cannot change it again for 30 days. The timer starts from the moment you confirm your change, not from the first day of the month.

If you change your username on March 15, you cannot change it again until April 14. If you try to change it before that date, Scratch will show you a message telling you when you'll be able to change it next. There's no way to speed this up or get around it, so make sure your new username is one you're happy with before you confirm.

What stays the same when you change your username

Changing your username does not affect any of your projects, comments, followers, or the people you follow. Your profile page, your project history, and your studio memberships all stay exactly the same. Other users will see your new username everywhere, but your account itself — and everything attached to it — remains unchanged.

If someone has bookmarked your profile or linked to your projects, those links will still work. Scratch automatically redirects old profile links to your new username, so you don't have to worry about breaking connections with your community.

Troubleshooting common problems when changing your username

If you see a message that says your username is already taken, try adding a number or underscore to make it unique. If the message says your username is too short or too long, remember that Scratch requires between 3 and 20 characters. If you see an error about forbidden characters, check that you're only using letters, numbers, and underscores — no spaces, hyphens, or punctuation.

If you're locked out of your account and cannot reach the Account Settings page, make sure you're logged in. If you've forgotten your password, use the "I forgot my password" link on the Scratch login page to reset it. Once you're back in your account, you should be able to access your settings and change your username.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username more than once a month?

No. Scratch limits you to one username change every 30 days. The 30 days is measured from when you made your last change, not from the calendar month. If you change your username and then want to change it again, you'll have to wait a full 30 days.

What if someone else takes my old username after I change mine?

Your old username becomes available when ready after you change it, and anyone can claim it. If this happens, you cannot get it back unless that person changes their username and releases it. There's no way to reserve or lock a username you're not using.

Will my projects disappear if I change my username?

No. All your projects, comments, followers, and studio memberships stay with your account. Your new username will appear on all of them, but nothing will be deleted or lost.

Can I use spaces or special characters in my new username?

No. Scratch only allows letters (a–z, A–Z), numbers (0–9), and underscores (_). You cannot use spaces, hyphens, periods, or any other special characters. If you try, Scratch will reject the username and ask you to pick a different one.

How do I know when my 30-day waiting period is over?

Go back to your Account Settings page and look at the "Change Username" section. If you're still in the waiting period, it will show you the exact date when you can change your username again. Once that date arrives, the option to change your username will be available.