How to Change Your Character's Race in Skyrim

Yes, you can change your race in Skyrim, but only during character creation or by using console commands

The standard way to change your race is to start a new character — Skyrim does not offer an in-game menu option to alter your race after you leave the character creation screen. If you have already progressed through the game and want a different race, you have two paths: restart with a new character, or use the console command system if you are playing on PC.

Console commands let you change your race mid-game without losing your progress, your items, or your level. The process takes seconds and requires only one line of text typed into the developer console. This option is available only on PC; console versions of Skyrim (PlayStation, Xbox) do not have access to console commands.

Key Takeaways

You can change your race during the initial character creation screen before you leave Helgen, but not after.
On PC, the console command setrace [race ID] lets you change your race at any point in the game without restarting.
Console commands are available only on PC; PlayStation and Xbox versions do not support them.
Changing your race mid-game does not affect your level, skills, inventory, or quest progress.
Some mods add an in-game mirror or NPC that lets you change appearance without console commands, but these require manual installation.

Changing your race during character creation

When you first start Skyrim, you spend time in the character creation menu before your character enters the world. During this phase, you can select your race from a list that includes Nord, Orc, Breton, Redguard, Wood Elf, High Elf, Dark Elf, Argonian, Khajiit, and Imperial. You can also adjust your appearance — face shape, hair, scars, and other features — before you confirm your choice.

Once you leave the character creation screen and your character enters Helgen (the starting dungeon), you cannot change your race through the normal game menu. This is why most players who want a different race straightforward restart and create a new character. If you have not yet left Helgen, you can still load an earlier save from the character creation phase and make a different choice.

Using console commands on PC to change race mid-game

If you are playing Skyrim on PC and want to change your race without starting over, open the console by pressing the tilde key (~), usually located to the left of the 1 key on your keyboard. A black text box will appear at the bottom of the screen.

Type setrace [race ID] and press Enter. Replace [race ID] with one of these codes: Nords use NordRace, Orcs use OrcRace, Bretons use BretRace, Redguards use RedguardRace, Wood Elves use WoodElfRace, High Elves use HighElfRace, Dark Elves use DarkElfRace, Argonians use ArgonianRace, Khajiit use KhajiitRace, and Imperials use ImperialRace. For example, to become a Khajiit, type setrace KhajiitRace.

Press Enter and close the console by pressing ~ again. Your character's race will change when ready. Your level, skills, perks, inventory, and all quest progress remain exactly as they were — only your race and its associated bonuses change.

What changes when you switch races

Each race in Skyrim has a starting bonus to certain skills and a unique power or ability. When you change your race using the console command, you gain the bonuses and power of your new race, but you do not lose the bonuses you earned from your old race. This means you can accumulate racial bonuses that would normally be impossible to get.

For example, Nords start with a 10 percent bonus to two-handed weapons and block, plus a power called Battle Cry that makes enemies flee. Orcs start with a 10 percent bonus to heavy armor and two-handed weapons, plus a power called Berserk that doubles damage dealt and halves damage taken. If you start as a Nord and then use the console to become an Orc, you will have bonuses to two-handed weapons from both races, which is not possible through normal play.

Your character's appearance does not change automatically when you use the console command. If you want your appearance to match your new race, you will need to use additional console commands or visit a mod that adds a mirror or appearance-changing NPC.

Mods that let you change race without console commands

Several mods add in-game ways to change your race without typing console commands. The most common approach is a mod that places a mirror or NPC somewhere in the world — usually in a town or a player home — that opens a menu letting you change your race and appearance together.

These mods require manual installation through a mod manager like Nexus Mod Manager or Mod Organizer 2. You read the mod file, place it in your Skyrim data folder, and enable it in your mod manager before launching the game. Mods are available only for the PC version of Skyrim; console versions do not support user-created mods.

Popular options include mods that add a "Makeover Mirror" to your player home or a barber NPC in a major city. Search the Nexus Mods website for "race change" or "appearance change" to see current options. Be aware that some mods may conflict with other mods you have installed, so read the mod description and user comments before downloading.

Why you might want to change your race

Players change their race for several reasons. Some realize mid-game that they do not like the appearance they chose, or they want to experience the story from a different perspective — for instance, playing as a Dark Elf instead of a Nord to see how NPCs react differently. Others want to optimize their character's skills for a specific playstyle and discover that a different race's bonuses would help more.

A few players change race to test how the game's dialogue and NPC reactions differ by race. Some NPCs comment on your race or treat you differently based on it, so switching races can reveal dialogue and interactions you would not otherwise see in a single playthrough.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing your race affect your level or skills?

No. Your level, skill points, and perks stay exactly as they are. Only your race and its associated bonuses change. You do not lose any progress or have to level up again.

Can I change my character's appearance when I change their race?

The console command changes only your race, not your face or body. To change your appearance at the same time, you can use additional console commands or install a mod that adds a mirror or barber NPC. Some mods bundle both race and appearance changes into one menu.

Will changing my race break my game or cause bugs?

Changing your race with the console command is generally safe and does not cause crashes or major bugs. However, some mods or quests that check your race might behave unexpectedly if you change it mid-game. Save your game before making the change so you can reload if something goes wrong.

Can I change my race on PlayStation or Xbox?

No. Console versions of Skyrim do not have access to console commands, and there is no in-game menu option to change your race. Your only option on PlayStation or Xbox is to start a new character if you want a different race.

What happens to my old race's bonuses when I switch?

You keep them. If you start as a Nord and switch to an Orc, you will have bonuses from both races, which gives you an advantage you would not normally have. This is one reason some players use race-changing to optimize their character.

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