You can change your YouTube username through your Google Account settings, and the process takes about five minutes

Your YouTube username is the name that appears on your channel and in comments you leave. It is separate from your Google Account name, which means you can change one without affecting the other. The change takes effect when ready across YouTube, and you can change it again after 14 days if you need to.

The steps differ slightly depending on whether you use a custom URL (a personalized channel link like youtube.com/@yourname) or a default channel name. Both routes start in the same place: your YouTube channel settings.

Key Takeaways

  • You access your YouTube username through your Google Account settings, not through YouTube itself.
  • Custom URLs (the @yourname format) can only be changed if your channel meets YouTube's requirements: at least 100 subscribers, no violations in the past 30 days, and a channel created more than 30 days ago.
  • After you change your username, the old one becomes available for other people to claim after 14 days.
  • Changing your YouTube username does not change your Google Account name, email address, or any other connected services.
  • If you have a business or brand channel, changing the username affects how people find and recognize your channel, so plan the change when you are ready to update other profiles.

How to change a default YouTube channel name

A default channel name is the one YouTube created automatically when you opened your account. It usually matches your Google Account name or a variation of it. To change it, sign into YouTube, click your profile picture in the top right corner, and select Create a channel or Settings depending on whether you already have a channel.

Once you are in channel settings, look for the option labeled Channel name or Basic info. Click the pencil icon next to your current name, type the new name you want, and click Save. YouTube will ask you to confirm the change. The new name appears on your channel and in your comments within a few seconds.

You do not need to meet any subscriber requirements or wait any amount of time to change a default channel name. You can change it as many times as you want, though YouTube may rate-limit very frequent changes.

How to change a custom YouTube URL

A custom URL is the personalized link that appears as youtube.com/@yourname. It is different from your channel name and gives you a shorter, branded web address. To change a custom URL, you must first meet YouTube's requirements: your channel must have at least 100 subscribers, your account must be at least 30 days old, and you must have no community guideline strikes in the past 30 days.

If your channel meets these requirements, go to your channel settings and find the section labeled Channel URL or Customize channel. Click the pencil icon, type the new custom URL you want, and click Check availability. YouTube will tell you whether the URL is taken. If it is available, click Change URL to confirm.

After you change your custom URL, the old one becomes available for anyone else to claim after 14 days. If you think you might want to use the old URL again in the future, you should claim it again before someone else does.

What happens to your old username

When you change your YouTube username, the old name does not disappear when ready. For 14 days, no one else can claim it, and you can change back to it if you decide you made a mistake. After 14 days, the old username becomes available for other YouTube users to take.

Any links to your old custom URL will stop working after the change. If you have shared your YouTube link on other websites, in email signatures, or on social media, you should update those links to point to your new custom URL. Your channel itself does not disappear — people can still find you by searching your channel name or by visiting your profile directly — but the old web address will not work.

Comments you left before the change will still show your old username for a short time, but they will update to show your new username within a few hours.

Why you might want to change your username

People change their YouTube username for several reasons. You might want a name that better reflects your channel's content, especially if your channel has grown in a different direction than you originally planned. You might want a more professional name if you are using YouTube for business or personal branding. You might also want to fix a typo or spelling mistake in your original name.

If you are rebranding your channel, changing your username is only one step. You should also update your channel art, profile picture, and channel description to match your new direction. This makes your channel look intentional and helps viewers understand what your channel is about.

Things to know before you change your username

Changing your YouTube username does not change your Google Account name or email address. If you want to change those as well, you need to do that separately in your Google Account settings. Your subscriptions, watch history, and saved playlists all stay the same — the change only affects the name that appears publicly.

If you use YouTube for work or run a business channel, think about how the change affects people who know you by your current name. You might want to announce the change in a community post or video so your subscribers know it is still you. If your channel is verified (has a checkmark next to your name), the verification stays with your channel even after you change the name.

YouTube does not let you change your username to something that impersonates another person or violates its community guidelines. If you try to use a name that is already taken, YouTube will tell you and ask you to choose something else.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes, but only within 14 days of the change. After 14 days, your old username becomes available for other people to claim, and you cannot use it unless you claim it again before someone else does. If someone else has already claimed it, you cannot get it back.

Does changing my YouTube username affect my Gmail address or Google Account?

No. Your YouTube username and your Google Account name are separate. Changing one does not change the other. Your email address stays the same no matter what you do with your YouTube channel.

Will my subscribers still be able to find me after I change my username?

Yes. Your subscribers are subscribed to your channel, not to your username, so they will still see your videos in their subscription feed. People who know your old custom URL will need to use your new one, but searching for your channel name will still find you.

How long does it take for my new username to show up everywhere on YouTube?

Your new username appears on your channel and in new comments within seconds. Old comments you left before the change will show your new username within a few hours. The change is not instantaneous everywhere, but it is usually complete within 24 hours.

What if the username I want is already taken?

YouTube will tell you the name is unavailable when you try to claim it. You will need to choose a different name. You can try variations like adding numbers, underscores, or words that describe your channel. If you want a specific name badly, you can check back after 14 days to see if someone else has released it.