World of Tanks username changes happen through your Wargaming account, not in the game itself

To change your World of Tanks username, you log into your Wargaming account on their website, go to your profile settings, and use the rename feature there. The game does not let you change your name from inside the client — you must do it through the account portal. Wargaming calls your in-game name your nickname, and you can change it once every 180 days for free. After that, each rename costs 2,500 gold, which is Wargaming's premium currency.

The process takes a few minutes and the new name shows up when ready in your account. Other players will see the change the next time they look at your profile or encounter you in a match. Your tank statistics and progress stay attached to your account — renaming does not reset anything.

Key Takeaways

  • Log into your Wargaming account at wargaming.net, not through the World of Tanks launcher, to access the rename tool.
  • You can rename your account once every 180 days without paying; additional renames within that window cost 2,500 gold each.
  • Your new nickname appears when ready in your account and shows to other players on your profile and in battle.
  • All your tanks, progress, and statistics remain on your account after a rename — nothing is lost or reset.

Step-by-step: renaming your account on the Wargaming website

Start by going to wargaming.net and signing into your account with your email and password. If you have two-factor authentication turned on, you will need to enter the code from your authenticator app or email. Once you are logged in, look for your account name in the top right corner and click on it to open a dropdown menu.

From that menu, select "Account management" or "Settings" — the exact wording varies slightly by region, but it is always the first option after your name. This takes you to your account dashboard. On the left side, you will see a menu with options like "Personal info", "Security", and "Nickname". Click on "Nickname" to open the rename tool.

The page shows your current nickname and a text box where you can type your new one. Wargaming has rules for nicknames: they must be between 3 and 25 characters, can include letters, numbers, and underscores, and cannot contain spaces or special characters like hyphens or periods. Type your new name, then click the button to confirm. If the name is already taken by another player, the system tells you when ready and you can try a different one.

Once you confirm, your new nickname is active. You do not need to restart the game or log out and back in — the change takes effect right away in your Wargaming account. The next time you load World of Tanks or check your profile online, you will see the new name.

Understanding the 180-day cooldown and gold cost

Wargaming lets you rename your account once every 180 days for free. This means if you rename today, you cannot rename again until 180 days have passed. After that window closes, your next rename is free again. The 180-day timer resets each time you use a free rename.

If you want to rename before the 180 days are up, you can pay 2,500 gold to bypass the cooldown. Gold is Wargaming's premium currency that you buy with real money — there is no way to earn enough gold through regular play to cover a rename. The price is the same whether you are renaming for the second time or the tenth time within a short period. Some players rename multiple times a year and pay each time; others rename once and never touch it again.

The cooldown timer is per account, not per nickname. If you rename from "TankMaster" to "TankKing", you cannot rename again for 180 days, even if you wanted to go back to "TankMaster". The system tracks when you last renamed, not what you renamed to.

What happens to your profile, tanks, and statistics after a rename

Your entire account history stays with you after a rename. All your tanks, crew members, garage upgrades, and silver remain on your account. Your battle statistics — win rate, damage per game, tank-specific records — all stay exactly as they were. The only thing that changes is the name other players see when they look at your profile or encounter you in a match.

If you had a clan tag in your old nickname, like "[CLAN]TankMaster", you can remove it or keep it in your new name. Clan tags are just part of your nickname text — they are not a separate system. If you leave a clan after renaming, the tag stays in your nickname until you manually edit it out.

Other players cannot see a history of your old names. Once you rename, your old nickname is gone from public view. Only you can see in your account settings that you have renamed before — the system shows the date of your last rename so you know when you are may be able to access for a free rename again.

Restrictions on what you can name yourself

Wargaming has a list of words and phrases that are not allowed in nicknames. These include profanity, slurs, and references to real-world political or religious figures. The system checks your nickname against this list when you try to confirm it. If your chosen name contains a banned word or phrase, you get an error message and have to pick something else.

Nicknames must be between 3 and 25 characters long. You can use letters (uppercase and lowercase), numbers, and underscores. You cannot use spaces, hyphens, periods, or other punctuation. If you try to use a character that is not allowed, the text box will not let you type it.

You also cannot use a nickname that is already taken by another player on your server. World of Tanks has separate servers for different regions — North America, Europe, Russia, and Asia — and nicknames are unique within each server. You could have the same nickname on the North American server and the European server, but not twice on the same server.

If you forget your Wargaming password or cannot log in

If you cannot remember your password, go to wargaming.net and click "Forgot your password?" on the login page. Enter the email address associated with your account, and Wargaming sends you a link to reset it. Click the link in the email, create a new password, and log back in. This process takes a few minutes.

If you do not have access to the email address on your account, you will need to contact Wargaming support. Go to support.wargaming.net, select your region and game, and submit a ticket explaining that you cannot access your account email. Support can verify your identity through other information — like your phone number, payment history, or tank statistics — and help you regain access. This usually takes one to three business days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username in World of Tanks without paying gold?

Yes, once every 180 days. After that, each rename costs 2,500 gold. The free rename resets 180 days after you last used it, so you can rename again for free at that point.

Will my tanks and progress disappear if I change my name?

No. Your account, all your tanks, your garage, your silver, and all your statistics stay exactly the same. Only the name changes. Other players will see your new name, but your progress is unaffected.

What if the username I want is already taken?

The system tells you when ready when you try to confirm it. You will have to choose a different name. Nicknames are unique within each server region, so the same name cannot be used twice on the same server.

Can I see what my old usernames were?

Other players cannot see your old names. Only you can see in your account settings when you last renamed. There is no public history of previous nicknames.

Do I have to rename my account if I do not want to?

No. Renaming is completely optional. You can keep your original nickname forever if you want to. The rename feature exists only if you decide to use it.