Change your YouTube channel name from your account settings

You can change your YouTube channel name directly through your Google Account settings. The process takes about two minutes and does not require you to create a new channel or lose your subscribers, watch history, or uploads. YouTube stores your channel name separately from your Google Account name, so changing one does not affect the other.

The steps are the same whether you use YouTube on a computer or phone, though the phone interface looks slightly different. You will need to be signed into the Google Account that owns the channel.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your channel name once every 90 days, and the change takes effect when ready across all YouTube pages and in search results.
  • Your channel URL (the web address) does not change when you rename the channel, so links to your channel remain valid.
  • Changing your channel name does not affect your Google Account name, email address, or any other Google service you use.
  • If you have a custom URL (youtube.com/c/yourname), you cannot change it without creating a new channel, so choose it carefully the first time.

Step 1: Open your channel settings

Sign into YouTube and click your profile picture in the top right corner. Select Create a channel if you have never set one up, or Settings if you already have a channel. On a phone, tap your profile picture, then tap Settings.

You will land on a page showing your channel name, profile picture, and banner. This is your channel customization page. Look for the pencil icon next to your channel name — that is where you edit it.

Step 2: Edit the channel name field

Click or tap the pencil icon next to your current channel name. A text box will appear with your name highlighted. Delete the old name and type the new one. YouTube allows up to 30 characters, including spaces and punctuation.

As you type, YouTube will show you a preview of how the new name appears on your channel page. Check that the spelling is correct and that it looks the way you want it to appear to viewers.

Step 3: Save the change

Click or tap the checkmark button next to the text box to save your new channel name. YouTube will confirm the change with a message saying "Channel name updated." The new name appears when ready on your channel page, in search results, and on any videos you upload from that point forward.

If you change your mind within a few seconds, you can click the X button to cancel before you save. Once you save, the change is permanent until you change it again.

The 90-day waiting period between changes

YouTube limits you to one channel name change every 90 days. If you try to change your name again before 90 days have passed, YouTube will show you a message saying when you can change it next. This rule applies to each channel separately — if you own multiple channels, each one has its own 90-day timer.

The timer starts from the moment you save the change, not from when you first click the edit button. If you make a typo and save it, you will have to wait 90 days to fix it, so take time to check your spelling before you click the checkmark.

What does not change when you rename your channel

Your channel URL — the web address people use to find you — stays the same. If your URL is youtube.com/@youroldname or youtube.com/channel/[numbers], it does not change when you rename the channel. This means any links to your channel that people have saved or shared will still work.

Your subscriber count, upload history, playlists, and all video statistics remain exactly as they were. Viewers who are already subscribed to you will not be unsubscribed. Your Google Account name and email address are not affected, and changing your channel name does not change how you sign into YouTube or any other Google service.

Custom URLs and why you cannot change them

If you have claimed a custom URL — a short, branded web address like youtube.com/c/yourname — you cannot change it without creating an entirely new channel. Custom URLs are permanent once claimed. If you want a different custom URL, you would need to start over with a new channel, which means losing all your current subscribers and videos.

Before you claim a custom URL, make sure it is exactly what you want. You can check what custom URL is available to you by going to your channel settings and looking for the "Advanced settings" section. YouTube shows you what custom URL you can claim, but you do not have to claim it right away.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my channel name back to what it was before?

Yes, as long as 90 days have passed since your last change. You can change your channel name to anything you want, including a previous name. The 90-day rule applies to how often you can change, not to what names you are allowed to use.

Will my subscribers see my old channel name anywhere?

No. Your new channel name appears everywhere — on your channel page, on all your videos, in comments you post, and in search results. Old videos do not show your previous name. The change is retroactive across your entire channel.

What if someone else takes the name I want after I change mine?

Channel names are not reserved. If you change your name and then want to change back to your old name, you can do so only if no one else has claimed it in the meantime. If someone else has taken it, you will have to choose a different name or wait to see if they abandon it.

Does changing my channel name affect my YouTube Partner Program status or monetization?

No. Your monetization status, revenue, and Partner Program standing are tied to your channel itself, not to the name. Renaming does not pause earnings, reset your watch time, or affect any monetization features.

Can I use special characters or emojis in my channel name?

YouTube allows letters, numbers, spaces, and most punctuation marks, but not emojis. You can use hyphens, underscores, periods, and apostrophes. If you try to use a character YouTube does not support, the text box will not let you type it.