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 — edit it to whatever you want, then click "Publish" to save the change. The new name takes effect when ready across YouTube.

You can change your channel name as often as you want, with no waiting period between changes. YouTube does not limit how many times you rename your channel or charge a fee for doing so. The change shows up everywhere your channel appears: in search results, on your uploads, in your subscriber list, and on your channel page.

If you cannot find the Settings option in YouTube Studio, make sure you are signed into the right Google Account — the one that owns the channel. Some accounts have multiple channels attached to them, so verify you are editing the correct one before you publish.

Key Takeaways

  • YouTube channel names can be changed when ready from YouTube Studio under Settings > Channel > Basic info, with no limit on how many times you rename.
  • The new name appears everywhere your channel shows up on YouTube within seconds of publishing the change.
  • If you have multiple channels on one Google Account, make sure you are editing the right channel before you save.
  • Your channel URL (the link people use to visit your channel) does not change when you rename, so old links still work.
  • Changing your channel name does not affect your videos, subscribers, or watch history — only the name people see.

Where to find the channel name field in YouTube Studio

Open YouTube Studio by going to youtube.com and clicking your profile picture in the top right corner, then selecting "Create a studio" or "YouTube Studio" from the menu. Once you are in the dashboard, look for "Settings" in the left sidebar — it is usually near the bottom of the menu. Click it.

In Settings, click the "Channel" tab at the top. You will see several options: "Basic info," "Branding," "Advanced settings," and others. Click "Basic info." Your channel name appears in the first text field on that page. Delete the old name and type the new one. When you are done, scroll down and click the blue "Publish" button to save.

If the Publish button is grayed out, you may have made a change that YouTube does not allow — for example, a name that violates community guidelines or contains only numbers. Try a different name and try again.

What happens to your old channel name

Your old channel name disappears from YouTube as soon as you publish the new one. People who search for your old name will not find your channel in the results. However, your channel URL — the web address people use to visit your channel — stays the same. If someone has a link to your channel, it will still work even though your name has changed.

YouTube does not reserve your old channel name for you or hold it for a waiting period. Another creator can use the same name when ready after you change yours. If you think you might want to use the old name again later, write it down before you change it.

Changing your channel name on mobile

You can change your channel name from the YouTube app on your phone, though the steps are slightly different. Open the YouTube app, tap your profile picture in the top right, and select "Settings." Tap "Account," then "Manage your Google Account." Go to the "Personal info" tab and look for "Name." Edit your name there and save the change.

Note that this method changes your Google Account name, which affects your entire Google presence — Gmail, Google Drive, and other Google services will all show the new name. If you only want to change your YouTube channel name without changing your Google Account name, use YouTube Studio on a computer instead.

Channel names versus custom URLs

Your channel name is the text that appears on your channel page and next to your uploads. Your custom URL is the web address people type or click to visit your channel — it looks like youtube.com/@yourname. These are two different things, and changing one does not change the other.

If you want to change your custom URL instead of your channel name, that requires a separate step in YouTube Studio. Go to Settings > Channel > Basic info and look for the "Custom URL" section. You can only set a custom URL if your channel has at least 500 subscribers and has been active for at least 30 days. If you meet those requirements, you can create or change your custom URL there.

Reasons your channel name change might not save

If you click Publish and the name does not change, YouTube may have rejected it for one of these reasons: the name contains only numbers, the name is identical to another channel's name, the name violates YouTube's community guidelines, or the name contains symbols YouTube does not allow. Try a different name and try again.

If you see an error message, read it carefully — it will tell you what is wrong with the name you chose. Common issues are profanity, impersonation of a real person or brand, or spam-like patterns. Adjust your name based on the error and resubmit.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. There is no limit on how many times you can change your channel name, and no waiting period between changes. You can change it back to the old name whenever you want, as long as no one else has claimed that name in the meantime.

Does changing my channel name affect my videos or subscribers?

No. Your videos stay exactly as they are, and your subscribers remain subscribed. The only thing that changes is the name people see when they look at your channel or watch your uploads. Your watch history, playlists, and all other account data stay the same.

Will people with old links to my channel still be able to find me?

Yes. Your channel URL does not change when you rename, so any link someone saved or shared will still work. They will see your new channel name when they click the link, but the link itself never breaks.

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

The change takes effect when ready on your channel page and in YouTube Studio. It may take a few minutes to appear in search results and in other places across YouTube, but usually shows up within seconds.

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

YouTube allows letters, numbers, spaces, and some punctuation marks in channel names. Emojis and most special characters are not allowed. Stick to standard keyboard characters and your name will save without problems.