Xbox charges $9.99 to change your gamertag once per year, or $4.99 if you change it within the first 30 days of creating a new account

The cost depends on when you last changed your tag. If you changed it in the past year, you will pay $9.99 for the next change. If your account is brand new — less than 30 days old — your first change costs $4.99. After that, the $9.99 annual rate applies.

You make the change through your Xbox account settings on any device: console, phone, or computer. The new gamertag takes effect when ready, though some games may take a few hours to sync the change across their servers.

Key Takeaways

  • A gamertag change costs $9.99 per year, or $4.99 if your account is less than 30 days old.
  • You can change your tag through Xbox account settings on console, phone, or web browser without contacting support.
  • The new gamertag is live right away, though some games may show the old name for a few hours.
  • You cannot change your gamertag more than once per year unless you pay the full fee each time.

How to change your gamertag on Xbox

Go to xbox.com, sign in with your Microsoft account, and select your profile. Click Customize profile, then Gamertag. Enter your new tag, check that it is available, and choose Change gamertag. You will be asked to confirm the $9.99 charge (or $4.99 if may be able to access) before the change goes through.

On an Xbox console, go to Settings > Account > Profile > Customize profile > Gamertag. The same fee applies, and you will see the charge before confirming.

On mobile, open the Xbox app, tap your profile picture, select Customize profile, and follow the same steps. The change is when ready across all your devices once you complete the purchase.

What happens to your old gamertag

Your old gamertag becomes available for someone else to claim after you change it. You cannot reserve it or get it back later without paying the fee again. If you think you might want to use an old tag in the future, consider whether the $9.99 is worth keeping it unavailable.

Friends who had you added will still see you in their friends list, though the name will update to your new gamertag. Your achievement history, game library, and account balance stay exactly the same.

Gamertag rules and restrictions

Your new tag must be between 3 and 15 characters, contain only letters, numbers, and spaces, and cannot start or end with a space. Xbox will reject tags that contain profanity, impersonate real people, or violate their code of conduct. The system checks availability in real time as you type.

You cannot use a tag that is already taken, even if the account using it is inactive. If you see a tag you want but it is taken, you have no way to claim it without the other account owner changing theirs first.

When you might not be able to change your tag

If you changed your gamertag within the past year, you cannot change it again until that year is up — paying the fee does not reset the clock. You have to wait until the anniversary of your last change.

If your account has been flagged for violating Xbox's code of conduct, you may be required to change your gamertag at no cost as part of the penalty. In that case, Xbox will notify you directly and tell you how long you have to make the change.

Alternatives if you do not want to pay

If you dislike your current gamertag but do not want to pay $9.99, you can create a new Xbox account with a different tag. Your game library, achievements, and friends list stay on your original account, so you would be starting fresh on the new one. This only makes sense if you are willing to rebuild your profile.

Some games let you set a display name separate from your gamertag — this name appears in-game but does not change your actual Xbox tag. Check the settings in the specific game you play to see if this option exists. It is free and does not affect your Xbox account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my gamertag for free?

Only if your account is less than 30 days old, in which case the first change costs $4.99. After that, changes cost $9.99 each and are limited to once per year. If Xbox requires you to change your tag as a penalty, that change is free.

How long does it take for my new gamertag to show up everywhere?

The change is when ready on Xbox services. Some games may show your old name for a few hours while their servers sync the update. If a game still shows the old name after 24 hours, restart the game or contact that game's support.

What if someone takes the gamertag I want?

You cannot claim a tag that is already in use. Your only option is to wait and hope the account owner changes their tag, or choose a different name. There is no way to request or reserve a tag.

Do I lose my games or achievements if I change my gamertag?

No. Your game library, achievements, Game Pass subscription, and account balance all stay the same. Only the name displayed changes.

Can I change my gamertag more than once a year?

Yes, but each change after the first one in a year costs $9.99. You cannot change it more than once per calendar year without paying the fee each time.