Change your Xbox gamertag through your Microsoft account settings

Your gamertag is the name that appears when you play online and that other players see. You can change it through your Microsoft account on any device with internet access — you do not need an Xbox console. The process takes about five minutes and costs money the first time you change it, then becomes free after that.

Go to account.microsoft.com and sign in with the email and password linked to your Xbox account. Select "Your info" from the left menu, then look for "Manage your Microsoft account" or "Account settings". Find the section labeled "Gamertag" or "Xbox profile" — the exact wording varies depending on when your account was created.

Click "Edit" or "Change gamertag" next to your current name. Type your new gamertag into the box that appears. Xbox gamertags can be 3 to 15 characters long and can include letters, numbers, and some symbols, but not spaces. The system will tell you immediately if the name is already taken or breaks the rules.

Key Takeaways

  • Your first gamertag change costs money (the amount varies by region), but you can change it free once per year after that.
  • You change your gamertag through your Microsoft account online, not through the Xbox console itself.
  • Gamertags can be 3 to 15 characters and can include letters, numbers, and some symbols, but the system rejects names with spaces or certain characters.
  • Your old gamertag becomes available for someone else to use once you change it, so choose carefully if you plan to switch back later.

What the cost is and when you pay it

Changing your gamertag for the first time costs money. The price depends on your region — it ranges from about $7 to $10 USD in most countries, though some regions charge in local currency. You pay this fee only once.

After your first change, you can change your gamertag once per year for free. If you want to change it more than once in a year, each additional change after the first free one costs the same fee as the initial change. Microsoft charges the fee to the payment method on file in your Microsoft account, so make sure your card or billing address is current before you start.

How to change your name on the Xbox console itself

If you want to change your gamertag directly from your Xbox console instead of using a computer or phone, the steps are similar but happen in the console menu. Press the Xbox button on your controller to open the guide, then go to "Profile & system" and select "Profile".

Choose "Customize profile" and look for the option to edit your gamertag. You will be taken to the same Microsoft account page that you would reach online, so you will still need to pay the fee and follow the same rules about character length and symbols. The console method is slower but works if you do not have another device handy.

What happens to your old gamertag and your game progress

When you change your gamertag, your old name becomes available for someone else to use immediately. If you think you might want to use that name again later, do not change it — once it is gone, you cannot reserve it. Your game progress, achievements, and friends list all stay with your account and do not change when you change your name.

Other players will see your new gamertag in their friends lists and in games, but your achievement history and game statistics remain tied to your account. If you were known by your old gamertag in a gaming community, you may want to tell people in that community what your new name is so they recognize you.

Changing the display name versus the gamertag

Xbox accounts have two different names: your gamertag and your display name. Your gamertag is what other players see in games and online. Your display name is what appears on your Xbox profile page and in some menus, and it can include spaces and special characters that gamertags cannot.

If you only want to change how your name looks on your profile page but keep your gamertag the same in games, you can edit your display name separately. Go to your Microsoft account, select "Your info", and look for "Display name" or "Profile name". This change is free and takes effect immediately. Many players use a display name that is easier to read (like "Sarah O") while keeping a gamertag that is a username (like "SarahO1987").

Troubleshooting if your gamertag change does not go through

If you see an error message when you try to change your gamertag, the most common reasons are that the name is already taken, it contains characters Xbox does not allow, or your payment method failed. Try a different name first to see if the problem is the specific name you chose or a broader issue with your account.

If the payment fails, check that your credit card or payment method on file has not expired and that your billing address matches what your bank has on record. If you have tried multiple times and the payment keeps failing, contact Xbox Support through your account settings — they can help you troubleshoot the payment issue or sometimes waive the fee if there is a technical problem on their end.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my gamertag back to my old one?

Not immediately. Once you change your gamertag, the old one goes back into the pool of available names. If someone else takes it, you cannot use it again. If no one takes it, you can change back to it, but you will have to pay the fee again.

Does changing my gamertag affect my games or achievements?

No. Your achievements, game progress, and game library stay exactly the same. Other players will see your new gamertag, but your history and statistics remain tied to your account.

What if the gamertag I want is already taken?

Try a variation — add a number, a symbol, or a different spelling. The system shows you immediately whether a name is available. You can also check if a name is taken before you pay by searching for it in the gamertag field.

Can I change my gamertag on my phone?

Yes. Go to account.microsoft.com on your phone's web browser, sign in, and follow the same steps as you would on a computer. The process is identical.

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

Your new gamertag appears in your profile and in games within a few minutes. In some cases, it can take up to an hour for the change to show up in all games and on all players' friends lists, but this is rare.