Change your channel name from YouTube Studio

You change your YouTube channel name through YouTube Studio, the creator dashboard where you manage your channel settings. The process takes about two minutes and takes effect when ready across your channel, videos, and comments.

Start by going to youtube.com and signing into the account that owns the channel. Click your profile picture in the top right corner, then select Create a channel or Manage your channels depending on whether you already have a channel. If you have multiple channels, pick the one you want to rename.

Once you're on your channel, click Customization in the left sidebar, then click the Basic info tab. You'll see your current channel name in a text field. Delete the old name and type your new one. YouTube allows up to 30 characters. When you're done, click Publish at the top right of the page.

Key Takeaways

  • You change your channel name in YouTube Studio under Customization > Basic info, not in your account settings.
  • Channel names can be up to 30 characters long and take effect when ready across all your videos and comments.
  • You can change your channel name as often as you want, but YouTube may limit how frequently you can change it if you do it repeatedly in a short time.
  • Your YouTube username (the handle that appears in your channel URL) is different from your channel name and requires a separate process to change.

The difference between channel name and username

Your channel name is the display name people see when they visit your channel or watch your videos. Your username is the handle in your channel URL — for example, youtube.com/@yourname. These are two separate things, and changing one does not change the other.

If you want to change your username instead, go to YouTube Studio, click Customization, then click the Basic info tab. Look for the section labeled "Channel URL" and click Edit next to your current username. You can change it once every 90 days. Keep in mind that old links to your channel will stop working once you change your username, though YouTube will redirect people who use the old URL for a limited time.

What happens to your old channel name

When you change your channel name, YouTube releases your old name when ready. Another creator can claim it right away, so if you think you might want to use that name again in the future, do not change it.

Your old channel name does not appear anywhere on your channel after the change. Comments you made under the old name will still show your old name next to those specific comments, but your channel page, videos, and new comments will all display your new name.

Limits on how often you can change your name

YouTube does not publish an official limit on how many times you can change your channel name, but the platform may temporarily restrict you if you change it very frequently — for example, multiple times in a single day. If you hit this limit, YouTube will tell you to wait before trying again.

There is no waiting period between changes under normal circumstances. You can change your channel name, see it take effect, and change it again when ready if you want to. However, if you are testing different names or changing frequently, space out your changes by at least a few hours to avoid triggering the restriction.

Changing your name on a brand account

If your channel is linked to a brand account — a YouTube account owned by a business or organization rather than a person — the process is slightly different. Brand accounts let multiple people manage the channel without sharing a single password.

Go to YouTube Studio and click Settings in the left sidebar. Click Channel, then Basic info. You'll see your brand account name at the top. Click Edit next to it and type your new name. Only account managers and owners can make this change. If you do not see an Edit button, you may not have permission — ask the account owner to make the change or give you manager access.

Troubleshooting: name won't save or shows an error

If you see an error when you try to publish your new channel name, the most common reason is that YouTube thinks the name violates its community guidelines. Names cannot include hate speech, impersonation of a real person or organization, or spam. If your name was rejected, try removing any symbols, numbers, or words that might trigger the filter, or rephrase it entirely.

If the page will not load or the Publish button does not respond, try clearing your browser cache and cookies, then sign out and sign back in. Use a different browser if the problem continues. Make sure you are using the most recent version of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge — YouTube Studio works best on current browser versions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

You can type your old name again if no one else has claimed it, but there is no may provide it will still be available. If someone else took it, you cannot use it unless they release it. YouTube does not hold old names in reserve for previous owners.

Will changing my channel name hurt my views or subscribers?

No. Your subscriber count, view history, and all your videos stay the same. The only thing that changes is the name people see. Your channel URL (username) also stays the same unless you change it separately, so existing links to your channel will still work.

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

Your new channel name appears on your channel page and in new comments within seconds. It may take a few minutes to show up in search results and recommendations, but this is usually very fast. If you do not see it after 10 minutes, refresh your browser.

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

YouTube allows letters, numbers, spaces, and some punctuation marks, but not emojis or most special characters. Stick to standard keyboard characters. If you try to use a character that is not allowed, YouTube will show an error when you try to publish.

What if I want to change my channel name but keep my username the same?

You can do this. Change your channel name in Basic info as described above, and leave your username (the part after youtube.com/@) untouched. They are separate settings, so changing one does not affect the other.