You can change your Steam username (called your "persona name") directly from your account settings, and it takes about two minutes

Steam lets you change the name that appears to other players whenever you want, at no cost. This is different from your account name — the email address you use to log in stays the same. The name other people see in games and on your profile is what you're changing here, and you can do it as many times as you want.

The process is straightforward: log into your Steam account on a web browser or the Steam client, go to your account settings, find the profile section, and type in your new name. Steam doesn't restrict how often you change it, though there's a brief cooldown between changes if you switch very frequently.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Steam persona name (what other players see) is separate from your account login email and can be changed anytime from account settings.
  • You can change your name through either the Steam website or the Steam client on your computer.
  • Steam does not charge money to change your username and does not limit how many times you can do it.
  • If you change your name very frequently, Steam may impose a short cooldown before your next change, but this is temporary.

How to change your username through the Steam website

Open a web browser and go to steampowered.com. Log in with your account email and password. Once you're logged in, look for your account name in the upper right corner of the page and click it to open a dropdown menu.

From that menu, select Account. On the Account page, you'll see a section labeled Profile on the left side. Click Profile, then look for the field that says Persona Name — this is your public username. Click in that field, delete your current name, type your new one, and click Save. The change takes effect immediately.

How to change your username in the Steam client

If you use the Steam desktop application on Windows or Mac, you can change your name without opening a browser. Open Steam and log in if you're not already. In the upper left, click Steam (on Windows) or Steam (on Mac), then select Settings.

In the Settings window, click the Account tab on the left. You'll see your current persona name displayed. Click the Change button next to it, type your new name in the box that appears, and click Confirm. The change is saved right away and will show up to other players the next time they view your profile or see you in a game.

What names Steam will not allow

Steam has a content policy for usernames. You cannot use names that contain hate speech, slurs, or graphic sexual content. Names that impersonate Steam staff, Valve employees, or well-known public figures are also against the rules and may be removed by Steam moderators.

If you try to save a name that violates the policy, Steam will reject it and ask you to choose something else. If you change your name to something against the rules after it's been approved, Steam can reset it to a default name and restrict your ability to change it again for a period of time.

Cooldown periods between name changes

Steam does not enforce a mandatory waiting period between username changes under normal circumstances. However, if you change your name very frequently in a short span of time — for example, multiple times in a single day — Steam may temporarily prevent you from changing it again for a few hours or a day.

This cooldown is an anti-abuse measure and is not permanent. Once the cooldown expires, you can change your name again. If you're changing your name once every few days or less often, you won't encounter this restriction.

Why your old username might still appear in some places

After you change your Steam username, it updates immediately on your profile and in most games. However, chat logs, old forum posts, and screenshots from before the change will still show your previous name — Steam doesn't retroactively update those records.

Friends and other players will see your new name the next time they view your profile or encounter you in a game. If you're in the middle of a multiplayer match when you change your name, other players in that session may still see your old name until the game session ends and reloads your profile data.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. There's no restriction on reusing old usernames. You can change to a new name and then change back to a previous one whenever you want, subject only to the cooldown if you're changing very frequently.

Will changing my username affect my games or achievements?

No. Your games, achievements, playtime, and all other account data remain exactly the same. Only the name that displays to other players changes.

What if someone else is already using the name I want?

Multiple Steam accounts can have the same persona name — usernames are not unique on Steam. You can use any name you want, even if another player has it.

Does changing my username cost money?

No. Changing your Steam username is completely free and always has been.

Can I change my Steam username on mobile?

You can access the Steam website on a mobile browser and change your username through the steps listed above, but the Steam mobile app does not have a built-in option to change your name. Use the website version for the easiest mobile experience.