Where to Find the Channel Name Setting

To change your YouTube channel name, go to YouTube.com and sign in to your account. Click your profile picture in the top right corner, then select Create a channel or Manage your channel depending on whether you already have a channel. If you already have one, you'll see Manage your channel — click that.

Once you're in the channel management area, look for the Settings option on the left side menu. Click Basic info under Settings. This is where your channel name appears at the top of the page, and it's the field you'll edit.

Key Takeaways

  • Your channel name is edited in Settings > Basic info, not in your Google account settings.
  • You can change your channel name once every 14 days, so plan ahead if you want to rebrand.
  • The name you choose appears on your channel page, in search results, and on every video you upload.
  • If you have a custom URL, changing your channel name does not automatically update the URL — you may need to adjust it separately.

The Step-by-Step Process

In the Basic info section, you'll see a text field labeled Channel name. Click on it and delete your current name. Type in the new name you want — YouTube allows up to 80 characters. As you type, you'll see a preview of how it will appear on your channel.

Once you've entered the new name, scroll down and click the Publish button at the bottom right of the page. YouTube will confirm the change when ready. The new name will show up on your channel page, in your uploads, and in search results within a few minutes.

The 14-Day Waiting Period Between Changes

YouTube limits how often you can change your channel name to once every 14 days. If you try to change it again before 14 days have passed, you'll see a message telling you when you can make the next change. This rule applies whether you're changing it for the first time or the tenth time — the 14-day clock resets each time you publish a new name.

If you made a mistake and want to change it back right away, you'll still have to wait the full 14 days. Plan your channel name carefully before you publish, because you cannot undo a change when ready.

What Happens to Your Custom URL

If you have a custom URL (the vanity link that looks like youtube.com/@yourname), changing your channel name does not automatically update the URL. Your custom URL stays the same even if you change your channel name. This means people can still find you using the old URL, and the URL does not need to match your channel name.

If you want your custom URL to match your new channel name, you'll need to change it separately in the Advanced settings section. Keep in mind that custom URLs also have restrictions — you can only change yours once every 90 days, and you must have at least 100 subscribers to claim one in the first place.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

The most common error is changing your channel name and then when ready trying to change it again because you spotted a typo or changed your mind. Remember the 14-day rule applies right away — you cannot fix it for two weeks. Read your new name out loud before you click Publish to catch spelling errors.

Another mistake is assuming your custom URL will update automatically. If you rebrand your channel, check your custom URL separately and update it if needed. Also, be aware that changing your channel name does not change the email address associated with your Google account — that stays the same regardless of what you call your channel.

How the Change Appears Across YouTube

Your new channel name will appear on your channel's main page, in the header where subscribers see it, and on every video you've uploaded. When people search for your channel, the new name shows up in the results. Comments you've left on other channels will still show your new name, not the old one.

If you have a YouTube Studio subscription or are part of YouTube's Partner Program, your new channel name will also appear on any monetization pages and in your analytics dashboard. There is no separate step to update these — they all pull from the same Basic info field.

Changing Your Channel Name on Mobile

You can change your channel name using the YouTube mobile app, though the process is slightly different. Open the app, tap your profile picture, select Create a channel or Manage your channel, then tap the three-line menu icon. Go to Settings, then Channel, then Basic info. The name field works the same way — type your new name and tap Save.

The 14-day waiting period applies whether you change your name on mobile or desktop. If you start the change on one device, you'll see the same waiting period on the other device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my channel name if I have no subscribers?

Yes. The 14-day rule applies to all channels, regardless of subscriber count. You can change your name as often as you want, as long as you wait 14 days between each change. Subscriber count does not affect this restriction.

What if I want to change my channel name back to what it was before?

You can change it back, but you'll have to wait 14 days from your last change. YouTube treats a revert the same as any other name change — the waiting period still applies. If you changed your name yesterday and want to switch back, you'll need to wait 13 more days.

Does changing my channel name affect my subscriber count or video views?

No. Your subscriber count, video views, watch time, and all other analytics stay exactly the same. Changing your channel name is purely cosmetic — it does not reset anything or affect how YouTube's algorithm treats your content.

Will my old channel name still work if someone tries to search for it?

No. Once you change your channel name, the old name is no longer searchable as your channel name. However, if you have a custom URL, that stays the same and people can still find you that way. If you do not have a custom URL, people will need to search for your new name or find you through a direct link.

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

YouTube allows letters, numbers, spaces, and most punctuation marks in channel names. You cannot use certain symbols like @ or #. If you try to use a character YouTube does not allow, the Publish button will not work and you'll see an error message telling you which character is not permitted.