Change your YouTube channel name from your account settings

To change your YouTube channel name, sign into your Google Account, go to YouTube Studio, and select "Settings" from the left menu. Click "Channel" and then "Basic Info." The channel name field appears at the top — delete the current name and type the new one. Click "Publish" to save the change.

The entire process takes about two minutes. Your new name appears across YouTube within minutes, though it may take a few hours to update everywhere (your channel page, comments, uploads, and subscriptions). You can change your channel name as many times as you want, with no waiting period between changes.

If you cannot find the Settings option, make sure you are in YouTube Studio (studio.youtube.com), not the regular YouTube homepage. YouTube Studio is the creator dashboard where all channel management happens.

Key Takeaways

  • Sign into your Google Account, go to YouTube Studio, and navigate to Settings > Channel > Basic Info to find the channel name field.
  • Delete your current name, type your new name, and click Publish — the change takes effect within minutes.
  • You can change your channel name as many times as you want without waiting periods or restrictions.
  • If you have a custom URL (youtube.com/@yourname), changing your channel name does not automatically change your custom URL.
  • Your profile picture and banner image stay the same when you change your channel name.

Step-by-step instructions for YouTube Studio

Open a web browser and go to studio.youtube.com. If you are not already signed in, click "Sign In" and enter your Google Account email and password. Once you are in YouTube Studio, look at the left sidebar menu.

Click "Settings" at the bottom of the left menu (it looks like a gear icon). A new page opens with several tabs across the top. Click the "Channel" tab. On the Channel page, click "Basic Info" — this is where your channel name, description, and profile picture live.

At the top of the Basic Info section, you will see a text field with your current channel name. Click inside the field, select all the text (Ctrl+A on Windows, Command+A on Mac), and delete it. Type your new channel name. YouTube allows up to 30 characters.

Scroll down and click the blue "Publish" button. A confirmation message appears saying your changes have been saved. Your new channel name is now live.

What happens to your custom URL when you change your name

Your custom URL (the youtube.com/@yourname link) does not change automatically when you change your channel name. If you set up a custom URL before, it stays the same even after you rename your channel. This is useful because your custom URL remains stable for people who have bookmarked it or shared it.

If you want your custom URL to match your new channel name, you can change it separately in the same Basic Info section. However, YouTube limits how often you can change your custom URL — you can change it once every 90 days. If you have never set a custom URL, you can create one after you change your channel name.

Changing your channel name on mobile

You can change your channel name using the YouTube mobile app, though the desktop version is easier to navigate. Open the YouTube app on your phone or tablet, tap your profile picture in the top right corner, and select "Settings." Tap "Channel" and then "Basic Info."

The channel name field works the same way as on desktop — tap the field, delete the old name, type the new one, and tap "Publish." The change takes effect within minutes on all devices.

Common mistakes to avoid

The most common mistake is looking for the channel name setting in the wrong place. Many people go to their profile settings (the settings for their Google Account) instead of YouTube Studio. Your Google Account settings control your Gmail and other Google services, not your YouTube channel. Always use studio.youtube.com, not myaccount.google.com.

Another mistake is forgetting to click "Publish" after typing your new name. If you change the name but do not click Publish, the change does not save. Always scroll down and look for the blue Publish button before closing the page.

Do not confuse your channel name with your Google Account name. Changing your YouTube channel name does not change your Gmail address or your Google Account name. They are separate, and changing one does not affect the other.

What stays the same when you rename your channel

Your channel ID, subscriber count, video history, and all your uploads stay exactly the same. Renaming your channel does not delete anything or reset your channel in any way. People who are subscribed to your channel remain subscribed, and your view counts and watch history do not change.

Your profile picture, banner image, and channel description also stay the same unless you change them separately. If you want to update your profile picture or banner at the same time you rename your channel, you can do that in the same Basic Info section — just click on the image and upload a new one.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Your new name appears on your channel page within minutes. It may take a few hours to update in comments you have posted, your subscriptions list, and other places across YouTube. If you do not see the change after a few hours, try refreshing your browser or clearing your cache.

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

Yes. There is no restriction on changing your channel name back. You can rename your channel as many times as you want, and there is no waiting period between changes. If you change your mind, just go back to Settings > Channel > Basic Info and type your old name.

Will my subscribers see my old channel name or my new one?

Your subscribers will see your new channel name. When they visit your channel page or see your videos in their subscriptions feed, the new name appears. Old comments you posted before the name change still show your old name, because those comments are part of YouTube's history.

What if someone else already has the name I want?

YouTube allows multiple channels to have the same name. You can use any channel name you want, even if another channel already uses it. Your channel ID (a unique number behind the scenes) is what makes your channel different from theirs.

Do I need to change my custom URL if I change my channel name?

No. Your custom URL stays the same and continues to work even after you rename your channel. You only need to change your custom URL if you want it to match your new channel name. Remember that you can only change your custom URL once every 90 days.