Change your Battle.net username through your account settings

You can change your Battle.net username by logging into your account on the Battle.net website, going to your Account Settings, and selecting the option to change your Battle.net name. The process takes a few minutes and the new name takes effect when ready. You will need to know your current password, and you can change your name once every 30 days.

Your Battle.net username is different from your in-game character names. Changing your Battle.net name does not affect any characters you have created in World of Warcraft, Diablo, Overwatch, or other Blizzard games — only the name that appears on your account and in your friends list changes.

Key Takeaways

  • Log into Battle.net on a web browser, not in a game client, to change your username in Account Settings.
  • You can change your Battle.net name once every 30 days, and the change takes effect right away.
  • Changing your Battle.net username does not affect character names in any of your games.
  • If you have two-factor authentication enabled on your account, you will need to enter a code from your authenticator or phone before you can make the change.

Step-by-step: changing your username on the Battle.net website

Open a web browser and go to account.battle.net. Click the Sign In button in the top right corner and enter the email address and password for your Battle.net account. If you have two-factor authentication turned on, you will be asked to enter a code from your authenticator app or phone number — enter that code and click Verify.

Once you are signed in, look for Account Settings in the left sidebar menu. Click on it. You should see a section labeled "Battle Tag" or "Battle.net Name" near the top of the page. Click the Edit button or pencil icon next to your current name. Type your new username into the text field. Battle.net usernames can be 3 to 12 characters long and can include letters, numbers, and hyphens, but not spaces or special characters like @ or #.

After you type your new name, click Save or Confirm. The system will tell you right away whether the name is available. If it is taken, you will need to choose a different one. Once the change is confirmed, your new Battle.net name will appear in your account and in your friends list within seconds.

What happens to your game characters when you change your username

Your in-game character names stay exactly the same. If you have a World of Warcraft character named "Thrallmaster" and you change your Battle.net username from "ShadowKnight" to "DarkLord", your character will still be named "Thrallmaster" in the game. Other players will see your character name in-game, not your Battle.net username.

Your friends list will update to show your new Battle.net name, but your friends will still be able to find you and send you messages. If you are in a guild or clan, your guild roster will also show your new Battle.net name. Your game progress, achievements, and items are tied to your account and character names, not your Battle.net username, so nothing in your games will be lost or changed.

The 30-day waiting period between username changes

Battle.net enforces a 30-day cooldown between username changes. This means once you change your name, you cannot change it again for 30 days. The timer starts the moment your change is confirmed, not when you first tried to make the change.

If you try to change your username before 30 days have passed since your last change, the website will show you a message telling you when you will be able to change it again. There is no way to speed up this waiting period, so choose your new name carefully before you confirm the change.

Troubleshooting: username changes that do not go through

If you see an error message when you try to save your new username, the most common reason is that the name is already taken by another player. Try a different combination of letters and numbers. Some names may also be blocked by Battle.net if they contain words the system flags as inappropriate — if this happens, choose a different name.

If you are signed in but the Edit button does not appear next to your Battle.net name, you may not have permission to change it yet. This can happen if your account is very new, if you have changed your name within the last 30 days, or if your account has a restriction on it. Wait a few minutes and refresh the page. If the button still does not appear after refreshing, contact Battle.net Support through the website to ask why the option is unavailable.

If you are having trouble signing into your account at all, make sure you are using the correct email address and password. If you have forgotten your password, click the "Forgot your password?" link on the sign-in page and follow the steps to reset it. You will receive an email with a link to create a new password.

Changing your character names separately from your Battle.net username

If you want to change the name of a specific character in World of Warcraft, Overwatch, or another Blizzard game, that is a separate process from changing your Battle.net username. In World of Warcraft, for example, you can pay a fee to rename a character through the in-game shop, and the character's name changes while your Battle.net username stays the same.

To rename a character, log into the game itself or go to the game's official website and look for a character management or shop section. The steps vary by game, so check the help section for the specific game you are playing if you need instructions on renaming a character.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Battle.net username if I have not played in a long time?

Yes. As long as your account is active and you can sign in, you can change your Battle.net username. You do not need to have played recently. Just log into account.battle.net and follow the steps in Account Settings.

What if the username I want is taken?

You will need to choose a different name. Try adding numbers or hyphens to make your preferred name unique. For example, if "DarkLord" is taken, you could try "DarkLord42" or "Dark-Lord". The name must be 3 to 12 characters and cannot contain spaces or special characters like @ or #.

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

Yes. Your friends list will update automatically to show your new Battle.net name. They will still see you in their friends list and can still send you messages and invites. You will also still appear in any guilds or groups you are part of.

Do I need to change my password when I change my username?

No. Your password stays the same. You will still use the same email address and password to sign into your account. Changing your username does not affect your account security or login information.

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

You can change your username to anything available, including a name you used in the past, as long as 30 days have passed since your last change and the name is not taken by another player. If the old name is taken, you will not be able to use it again.