YouTube lets you change your channel URL once, and the process takes about a minute

Your YouTube channel URL is the web address people use to find your channel — it looks like youtube.com/@yourchannelname or youtube.com/c/yourchannelname. You can change it one time through YouTube Studio, the creator dashboard where you manage your channel. The change takes effect when ready, and your old URL stops working right away, so anyone with a link to the old address will see a "page not found" error.

This is different from your channel name, which you can change as often as you want. The URL is the permanent web address; the name is what appears as a title on your channel page. If you have not yet created a custom URL, you may be able to create one instead of changing an existing one — the process is similar but has different requirements.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your YouTube channel URL one time through YouTube Studio under channel settings, and the change takes effect when ready.
  • Your channel must have at least 500 subscribers and be at least 30 days old before you can create or change a custom URL.
  • The old URL stops working as soon as you change it, so update any links on your website, social media, or other places where you have shared it.
  • If you have already used your one change, you cannot change your URL again unless YouTube support makes an exception.
  • Your channel name and your channel URL are separate — you can change your name whenever you want, but the URL change is limited to once.

Requirements before you can change your URL

YouTube has two requirements before you can change your channel URL. Your channel must have at least 500 subscribers, and your channel must have existed for at least 30 days. If you do not meet both of these, the URL change option will not appear in your settings, and you will see a message telling you what you still need.

These requirements exist to prevent spam channels from creating many URLs and then abandoning them. If your channel is new or small, you can still use your channel name as your public identity — just know that the URL change option will unlock once you cross both thresholds.

Steps to change your URL 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. If you are already in Studio, look for the menu on the left side.

In the left menu, click "Settings," then click "Channel" in the submenu that appears. On the Channel page, scroll down until you see "Basic info" — this section shows your channel name and your current URL. Click "Edit" next to your channel name or look for a field labeled "Channel URL" or "Custom URL."

Type your new URL into the field. YouTube will check whether the URL is available — if it is taken or contains words YouTube does not allow, you will see an error message. Once you see a checkmark or confirmation that the URL is available, click "Save" or "Update." The change takes effect when ready.

What happens to your old URL after you change it

Your old URL becomes inactive the moment you save the new one. Anyone who tries to visit the old address will see a "page not found" error. YouTube does not redirect the old URL to your new one, so links you shared on social media, your website, or anywhere else will break.

Before you change your URL, search for places where you have shared it. Check your website, your social media profiles, your email signature, any business cards or printed materials, and any online directories where you listed your channel. Update those links to your new URL so people can still find you. If you have a large audience, consider posting a video or community post letting people know about the change.

If you have already used your one change

YouTube allows you to change your URL only once per channel. If you have already made a change and want to change it again, you cannot do so through the normal settings. Your only option is to contact YouTube Support and explain why you need an exception — they occasionally grant them, but there is no may provide.

Before you make your first change, think carefully about what URL you want. Consider whether it matches your channel name, whether it is straightforward to spell and remember, and whether it fits your long-term plans for the channel. Once you use your one change, you are stuck with the new URL unless YouTube support intervenes.

The difference between channel name and channel URL

Your channel name is the title that appears at the top of your channel page and next to your videos. You can change it as many times as you want by going to Settings > Channel > Basic info and editing the "Channel name" field. There is no limit to how many times you can do this.

Your channel URL is the web address — the thing people type or click to visit your channel. This is limited to one change. Some channels use a URL that matches their channel name, but they do not have to. You could have a channel named "Sarah's Cooking Show" with a URL like youtube.com/@sarahcooking. Changing the name does not change the URL, and changing the URL does not change the name.

Creating a custom URL if you do not have one yet

If your channel does not have a custom URL yet, you will see an option to "Create a custom URL" in the same Basic info section. This is different from changing an existing URL — you are creating one for the first time. The process is the same: type the URL you want, check that it is available, and save.

Once you create a custom URL, you can change it one time using the same process described above. After that, you have used your one change. If your channel is very new or has fewer than 500 subscribers, the create option will not appear yet — you will see a message telling you when it will be available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my YouTube URL more than once?

No. YouTube allows one URL change per channel. After you use that change, you cannot change it again unless YouTube Support makes an exception. Think carefully about your new URL before you save it, because you will be stuck with it otherwise.

What if the URL I want is already taken?

YouTube will tell you the URL is unavailable when you try to save it. Try a variation — add a number, a word, or an underscore. For example, if @yourname is taken, try @yourname123 or @yourname_official. You can also check whether the URL is reserved by YouTube (like @YouTube itself) or contains words YouTube does not allow.

Do I need to tell my subscribers about my URL change?

It is a good idea. Post a community post or a video letting people know you changed your URL and what the new one is. Update your links on social media, your website, and anywhere else you have shared the old URL. This prevents people from hitting a dead link when they try to visit your channel.

Can I change my channel name without changing my URL?

Yes. Your channel name and URL are separate. You can change your name as many times as you want in Settings > Channel > Basic info without touching your URL. The URL stays the same even if you change the name multiple times.

What if I see an error message when I try to change my URL?

The most common errors are: the URL is already taken, your channel does not have 500 subscribers yet, your channel is not 30 days old yet, or the URL contains words YouTube does not allow. Check the error message to see which one applies. If you meet all the requirements and still see an error, try a different URL or contact YouTube Support.