You can change your Xbox Gamertag through your Microsoft account settings in under five minutes

Your Xbox Gamertag is the name other players see when you're online. You change it by signing into your Microsoft account on Xbox.com or through your console, then navigating to your profile settings. The first change is free; after that, each change costs $9.99. You can change it as often as you want, but you must wait 30 days between changes after the first one.

The process works the same whether you play on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, or through Xbox Game Pass on PC. Your new Gamertag takes effect immediately across all your devices and games.

Key Takeaways

  • Your first Gamertag change is free, but subsequent changes cost $9.99 each, with a 30-day waiting period between them.
  • You can change your Gamertag on Xbox.com, through your console settings, or via the Xbox app on Windows.
  • Your new Gamertag appears instantly in all games and services tied to your Microsoft account.
  • Gamertags must be between 3 and 15 characters, cannot contain spaces, and cannot include certain symbols or offensive language.

Changing your Gamertag on Xbox.com

The fastest way to change your Gamertag is through the Xbox website. Go to Xbox.com, sign in with your Microsoft account, and select your profile icon in the top right corner. Click "Customize profile," then select "Edit profile." You'll see a field labeled "Gamertag" — click on it to edit.

Type your new Gamertag and Xbox will check whether it's available in real time. If the name is taken or violates Xbox's content policy, you'll see a message saying so. Once you find a name that works, click "Save" and confirm your choice. If this is your first change, you won't be charged. If you've changed your Gamertag before, you'll be prompted to pay $9.99 through your Microsoft account payment method.

Changing your Gamertag on your console

You can also change your Gamertag directly from your Xbox console. Press the Xbox button on your controller to open the guide, then go to "Profile & system" and select "Profile." Choose "Customize profile," then select "Edit profile." Find the Gamertag field and enter your new name.

The console will check availability the same way the website does. After you confirm your choice, the change takes effect immediately. If you're charged a fee, it will be deducted from your Microsoft account balance or your linked payment method.

Changing your Gamertag through the Xbox app on Windows

If you play Xbox games on PC through the Xbox app, you can change your Gamertag there as well. Open the Xbox app, select your profile picture in the top left, and click "View profile." Select "Customize profile," then "Edit profile." The Gamertag field works the same way as on the website and console.

This method is useful if you're already in the app and want to make the change without switching to another device. The change syncs across all your devices within seconds.

Rules for choosing a new Gamertag

Xbox enforces specific rules about what characters and words you can use. Your Gamertag must be between 3 and 15 characters long. You can use letters, numbers, and spaces, but the name cannot start or end with a space. You cannot use special characters like hyphens, underscores, or periods.

Xbox also blocks Gamertags that contain profanity, slurs, or references to real people's names without permission. If you try to use a blocked word, Xbox will tell you the name violates its content policy and won't let you save it. If you're unsure whether a name will be accepted, try it on Xbox.com first — the site checks availability before you pay.

What happens to your old Gamertag

When you change your Gamertag, your old name becomes available for someone else to claim after a short period. Your Xbox profile, achievements, game library, and friends list all stay with your account — they're tied to your Microsoft account, not your Gamertag. Other players will see your new name in games and on your profile, but your history and progress remain unchanged.

If you're worried about losing your identity in a game where you've built a reputation, keep in mind that your profile URL and account ID stay the same. Friends who have you added will still see you in their friends list, though your name will update to the new Gamertag.

Troubleshooting common problems

If you see an error message saying your Gamertag is unavailable, it means either someone else has claimed it or it violates Xbox's content policy. Try a different name. If you're told you can't change your Gamertag because you've changed it too recently, you're within the 30-day waiting period — you'll have to wait until that period ends before you can change it again.

If you're charged $9.99 but the change doesn't go through, check your Microsoft account's transaction history to confirm the charge went through. If the charge appears but your Gamertag didn't change, contact Xbox Support through your account settings. They can investigate the transaction and either process the change or refund you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Gamertag back to my old one?

Yes, but only if no one else has claimed it. After you change your Gamertag, your old name enters a holding period before it becomes available to others. If you change your mind quickly, you can change back to it for free if it's still in that holding period. After the holding period ends, your old Gamertag is available to anyone, and you'd have to pay $9.99 to claim it again if someone hasn't taken it.

Do my friends see my old Gamertag or my new one?

Your friends see your new Gamertag immediately across all games and services. They'll see the change reflected in their friends list, in-game, and on your profile. You don't need to tell them your new name — it updates automatically for everyone.

Will changing my Gamertag affect my game progress or achievements?

No. Your achievements, game saves, and progress are all tied to your Microsoft account, not your Gamertag. Changing your name doesn't affect any of that. You'll keep all your games, progress, and achievements under your new Gamertag.

What if someone else takes the Gamertag I want?

If the name you want is already taken, you'll need to choose a different one. Xbox doesn't have a reservation system for Gamertags. If you really want a specific name, you can try again later — sometimes people change their Gamertags and release names back into the pool — but there's no may provide it will become available.

Can I change my Gamertag if I have an outstanding balance on my account?

If you have a negative balance or unpaid charges on your Microsoft account, you may not be able to complete a paid Gamertag change. Resolve any outstanding balance first, then try again. Your first change is free, so you can always make that change regardless of your account status.