Change your username from your account settings

To change your username in Scratch, log into your account, click your username in the top right corner, select "Account settings," then click "Change username" on the left side. Type your new username in the box, click the blue "Change username" button, and confirm by entering your password when prompted. Your new username takes effect when ready.

The process takes about one minute. You can change your username once every 30 days, so plan ahead if you want to switch to something different. Scratch will tell you if the username is already taken or contains words that violate their community guidelines — if that happens, try a different name.

After you change your username, your old projects stay with you under the new name. Other users who follow you will still see your projects and activity, but they will see your new username everywhere on the site.

Key Takeaways

  • You change your username through Account settings, not through your profile page.
  • Scratch limits you to one username change every 30 days.
  • Your projects, followers, and activity all transfer to your new username automatically.
  • If your chosen username is taken or blocked by Scratch's content filter, you will need to pick a different one.
  • You must enter your password to confirm the change for security reasons.

What happens to your projects and followers

When you change your username, nothing disappears. All your projects remain yours, your follower count stays the same, and anyone who follows you continues to follow your new username. Comments you left on other projects will show your new username, and comments others left on your projects will still be there.

If you shared a project link with someone before the change, that link still works. Scratch redirects the old username to your new one, so people can still find your work even if they have an old link saved.

Reasons Scratch might reject your new username

Scratch checks every new username against two rules: it cannot already be taken by another user, and it cannot contain words or phrases that violate the community guidelines. The site blocks usernames with profanity, slurs, or references to illegal activity.

If you see a message that your username is unavailable, it means either someone else has it or Scratch's filter flagged it. Try removing numbers, changing the spelling slightly, or adding an underscore or hyphen. For example, if "CoolCoder" is taken, try "CoolCoder2" or "Cool_Coder."

The 30-day waiting period between changes

Scratch enforces a 30-day cooldown between username changes to prevent spam and account takeover attempts. If you change your username today, you cannot change it again for 30 days from that date. The site will show you the exact date you can change it again if you try before the period ends.

Plan your username carefully before you make the change. If you realize you made a typo or chose something you do not like, you will have to wait the full 30 days before you can fix it.

Changing your username on a shared or school account

If you use Scratch through a school account or share a computer with others, only the account owner can change the username. You will need the password to confirm the change, so make sure you have access to it before you start.

If you are a teacher managing a classroom account or a parent managing a child's account, the same process applies — log in as that user, go to Account settings, and change the username. The account owner's password is required at the confirmation step.

If you forgot your password

You cannot change your username without your password, because Scratch requires you to enter it to confirm the change. If you do not remember your password, go to the Scratch login page, click "I forgot my password," enter your email address or username, and follow the reset link Scratch sends you.

The password reset email arrives within a few minutes. Once you have set a new password, log back in and follow the username change steps above.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Scratch allows one username change per 30 days. If you need to change it again, you must wait until the 30-day period from your last change has passed. The site shows you the exact date you become may be able to access to change it again.

What if someone else takes the username I want after I change mine?

Scratch does not reserve old usernames, so if you change from "OldName" to "NewName," someone else can claim "OldName" after you leave it. If you think you might want to go back to an old username, you should wait until you are certain before making the change.

Do I need to update my password after changing my username?

No. Your password stays the same when you change your username. You log in with either your email address or your new username, but the password itself does not change.

Will my username change affect my Scratch studio or class code?

Your studio URL and class code remain the same. Other people can still find your studio and join your class using the same links they used before the username change.

Can I have spaces or special characters in my username?

Scratch usernames can contain letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores, but not spaces or other special characters. If you want to separate words, use an underscore (like "Cool_Coder") or a hyphen (like "Cool-Coder").