What makes a good gamertag
A good gamertag is easy to read in a kill feed, easy to say over voice chat, and easy for friends to type when they add you. That means short, no confusing mixes like l and I or 0 and O, and few numbers unless they mean something.
It also has to last. A tag you love today might feel different in a few years, so pick something you'd be happy to see on a stream or a leaderboard.
Name rules by platform
Every platform has its own rules, and they change now and then. These are the common ones; check the platform's name screen before you pay for a change:
- Xbox: up to 12 characters, including spaces. If a name is taken, Xbox can add a number suffix.
- PlayStation: 3 to 16 letters, numbers, hyphens and underscores, starting with a letter.
- Steam: a profile name up to 32 characters that doesn't need to be unique.
- Epic Games: a 3 to 16 character display name, also used in Fortnite.
- Discord: 2 to 32 lowercase letters, numbers, periods and underscores.
- Riot ID: a 3 to 16 character name plus a short #tag.
When the tag you want is taken
Popular words go fast. Try swapping the order (WolfShadow instead of ShadowWolf), adding a second keyword, or using an underscore where the platform allows it. A number can work too, as long as it means something to you, like a jersey number.
Skip the xX wrappers and swapping every letter for a number. They're harder to read and harder for friends to find.
One tag everywhere
If you stream or make videos, using the same tag on your console, Discord, Twitch and YouTube makes you easy to find. Check the tag on each platform before you settle on it, and claim it where it's free, even on platforms you don't use yet.
For privacy, leave out your real name, birthday and hometown. A tag is public, and it's often the first thing a stranger sees.
Frequently asked questions
How long can an Xbox gamertag be?
Up to 12 characters, including spaces. If someone already has the name, Xbox can add a number suffix so you can still use it.
How long can a PSN name be?
PlayStation online IDs are 3 to 16 characters. They can use letters, numbers, hyphens and underscores, and must start with a letter.
Can I change my gamertag?
Usually, yes. Xbox and PlayStation let you change it in your account settings; the first change is often free and later ones may cost money. Steam profile names can be changed any time.
What's a good gamertag if I'm new?
Something short, easy to spell and personal, like a favorite animal or word with a twist. Avoid your real name, birthday or location.