You can change your Xbox gamertag through your Microsoft account settings on any device with internet access

Your Xbox gamertag is the name other players see when you're online. Microsoft lets you change it whenever you want, and the process takes about five minutes. You do this through your Microsoft account, not through the Xbox console itself — that's the step most people miss. The change shows up on all your devices (Xbox, PC, phone) within a few minutes.

You get one free gamertag change. After that, each change costs $9.99. There's no waiting period between changes, so you can try a new name, decide you hate it, and switch again the same day — but the second change will cost you.

Key Takeaways

  • Go to account.microsoft.com, sign in, and click "Your info" to find the gamertag change option.
  • Your first gamertag change is free; every change after that costs $9.99.
  • The new gamertag appears on Xbox, PC, and mobile within a few minutes of confirmation.
  • Avoid special characters, spaces, and numbers-only names — Microsoft rejects these automatically.
  • If your new gamertag is already taken, you'll see that message before you pay anything.

Step-by-step: changing your gamertag on a computer

Open a web browser and go to account.microsoft.com. Sign in with the Microsoft account connected to your Xbox. Once you're logged in, look for "Your info" in the left menu and click it.

On the Your Info page, scroll down until you see "Manage your Xbox profile" or "Xbox profile" — the exact wording changes sometimes, but it's always in that section. Click that link. You'll land on a page showing your current gamertag. Click "Edit gamertag" (or sometimes "Change gamertag"). Type your new name in the box that appears. Microsoft will tell you right away if it's already taken or if it breaks their naming rules. If it's available, you'll see a green checkmark. Click "Check availability" to confirm, then "Save" to finish. If this is your first change, you won't be charged. If you've already used your free change, you'll be asked to pay $9.99 before the change goes through.

Changing your gamertag from your Xbox console

You can also start the process directly from your Xbox. Press the Xbox button on your controller to open the guide. Go to Profile & system, then Profile, then Customize profile. Select "Gamertag" from the menu.

You'll be taken to the same Microsoft account page described above — the console just opens it for you. The rest of the process is identical: type the new name, check availability, and confirm. The change will sync to your console within a few minutes.

What names Microsoft won't let you use

Microsoft has automatic filters that reject certain types of names before you even try to pay. You cannot use only numbers (like "12345"), spaces, or most special characters. Names that contain profanity, slurs, or references to illegal activity are blocked. Very short names (usually fewer than three characters) are also rejected.

If you try a name and see a message saying it violates the Code of Conduct or naming policy, that's Microsoft's filter catching it. You won't be charged, and you can try a different name immediately. The most common reason for rejection is profanity filters catching words you might not have thought about — if your new name gets rejected and you don't see why, try removing any words that could be read as offensive or crude.

What happens if your new gamertag is already taken

When you type a name and click "Check availability," Microsoft tells you instantly whether someone else has it. If it's taken, you'll see a message saying so, and you won't be able to proceed to payment. You have to choose a different name.

There's no waiting list for gamertags. If you want a specific name that's taken, your only option is to try again later and hope the person who has it stops using their account — but that's not something you can track or plan for. Most people just pick a variation: adding a number, changing the spelling slightly, or combining it with a word that fits.

How long the change takes to show up everywhere

Once you confirm the change and payment goes through (if applicable), your new gamertag appears on your Xbox console within a few minutes. It shows up on Xbox.com, the Xbox app on PC, and the Xbox mobile app within the same timeframe. Other players will see your new name the next time they look at your profile or see you in a game lobby.

In rare cases, the change can take up to an hour to sync across all Microsoft services. If you're still seeing your old name somewhere after 10 minutes, wait a bit longer and refresh the page. If it's been over an hour and your old name is still showing on your console, sign out completely and sign back in — that usually forces the system to update.

Getting your free change back if you made a mistake

You don't get a second free change if you regret your first one. Once you've used your free change, every change costs $9.99. However, if you changed your gamertag within the last 30 days and you want to go back to your old name, you can do that for free — Microsoft treats reverting to a previous name as a special case.

To revert, go back to account.microsoft.com, follow the same steps to change your gamertag, and type in your old name. If it's still available (which it usually is if you changed away from it recently), you can confirm the change without paying. This only works if your old name hasn't been claimed by someone else in the meantime, which is unlikely but possible if it was a popular name.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to change my gamertag from an Xbox, or can I do it on my phone?

You can do it from any device with a web browser. Go to account.microsoft.com on your phone, tablet, or computer — the steps are the same. You don't need to be on an Xbox or use the Xbox app, though you can start from the console if you prefer.

What if I forget my Microsoft account password?

You'll need to reset it before you can change your gamertag. Go to account.microsoft.com and click "Can't access your account." Follow the recovery steps — Microsoft will ask you to verify your identity using a phone number, email, or security key. Once you've reset your password, you can log back in and change your gamertag normally.

Can I change my gamertag if my account is suspended or banned?

No. If your account is suspended or banned, you won't be able to access the gamertag change page. You'll need to resolve the suspension or appeal the ban first. Contact Xbox Support through support.xbox.com if you believe your account was suspended by mistake.

Will changing my gamertag affect my game saves or achievements?

No. Your saves, achievements, and game library stay exactly the same. The gamertag is just the name that displays — everything tied to your account account remains connected to you. Friends will see your new name, but they won't lose you as a friend, and you won't lose any progress in any games.

Can I use spaces or hyphens in my new gamertag?

Spaces are not allowed. Hyphens are allowed in most cases, but Microsoft's filter sometimes rejects them depending on what the full name is. If you want to separate words, try using an underscore instead — that's almost always accepted. Numbers work fine as long as your gamertag isn't only numbers.