You can change your VRChat username through the account settings on the VRChat website, but the process differs depending on whether you have a free account or a paid subscription
VRChat lets you change your display name — the name other players see in-game — without restrictions. However, changing your actual account username (the login name you use to sign in) is only available to VRChat+ subscribers, and you can only do it once every 30 days. If you have a free account and want a different login name, you will need to create a new account.
The steps are straightforward but happen in different places depending on which name you want to change. Display names change inside the VRChat app itself, while account usernames change on the website.
Key Takeaways
- Display names (what other players see) can be changed anytime by any account type through the VRChat app settings.
- Account usernames (your login name) can only be changed by VRChat+ subscribers, once every 30 days, through the website.
- Free account holders who want a different login name must create a new VRChat account instead.
- Changing your display name takes effect immediately in-game, but changing your account username may take a few minutes to sync across all servers.
How to change your display name in VRChat
Your display name is what appears above your avatar when other players see you in VRChat worlds. To change it, open VRChat and go to the main menu. Select the user icon or avatar button in the bottom-left corner, then choose "Settings." Look for "Display Name" in the settings menu and enter the new name you want. The change takes effect immediately.
Display names can be up to 24 characters long and can include spaces and most special characters. Other players will see your new display name the next time they load into a world with you, though it may take a moment to update on their screen.
How to change your account username if you have VRChat+
Your account username is the name you type in when logging into VRChat. Only VRChat+ subscribers can change this, and only once per 30 days. To change it, go to the VRChat website and sign in to your account. Click on your profile icon in the top-right corner and select "Account Settings."
In Account Settings, find the "Username" field and click "Change Username." Enter your new username and confirm the change. The new username must be between 3 and 20 characters, contain only letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores, and cannot be the same as any username currently in use on VRChat. After you confirm, the change usually takes effect within a few minutes, though it can take up to an hour for all servers to sync.
What to do if you have a free account and want a different login name
Free VRChat accounts cannot change their login username. If you want a different login name, you will need to create a new VRChat account with the username you prefer. You can keep your old account and its friends list, but you will start fresh on the new account.
Before you create a new account, decide whether the change is worth starting over. Your old account's friends, worlds, and avatar uploads stay with that account. If you want to use the same avatars on your new account, you can re-upload them or ask friends to share them with you if they have them saved.
Why you might want to change your username
Players change their usernames for many reasons: they created an account with a name they no longer like, they want a username that matches their display name, or they want to distance themselves from an old online identity. Since VRChat is a social platform where you interact with the same people over time, a username change can feel like a fresh start without losing your account history.
Keep in mind that changing your username does not change your user ID — the unique number VRChat uses to track your account. Friends who have you added will still see you as a friend even after you change your username, because the friendship is tied to your user ID, not your name.
What happens to your old username after you change it
Once you change your username, the old one becomes available for someone else to use. VRChat does not hold old usernames or reserve them for previous owners. If you think you might want to go back to your old username later, you cannot — someone else may have claimed it by then.
Your old display name history is not visible to other players. Only your current display name shows in-game. If you change your account username, your old login name is released immediately and can be taken by another user.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my username more than once every 30 days?
No. VRChat+ subscribers can change their account username only once per 30 days. The 30-day timer starts from the date of your last change. Display names have no cooldown and can be changed as often as you want.
Will my friends still see me after I change my username?
Yes. Your friends list is tied to your user ID, not your username. After you change your username, your friends will still see you in their friends list and can still invite you to worlds. Your display name change is immediate, but your account username change may take a few minutes to show up everywhere.
What characters can I use in a username?
Account usernames can only contain letters (A–Z, a–z), numbers (0–9), hyphens (-), and underscores (_). Display names are more flexible and can include spaces and most special characters, though VRChat filters out offensive content.
If I create a new account, can I transfer my avatars?
You cannot directly transfer avatars between accounts. However, if you uploaded custom avatars to your old account, you can re-upload them to your new account using the same avatar files. If other players have your avatars saved as favorites, they can still access them through their own accounts.
Does changing my username affect my VRChat+ subscription?
No. Your VRChat+ subscription is tied to your account and user ID, not your username. Changing your username does not affect your subscription status or any benefits you have.