Change Riot ID: Steps, Cost & Common Issues

You can change your Riot ID directly in your Riot Games account settings, and the first change is free. After that, each change costs 1400 RP (Riot Points), though the price resets to free once per year on your account’s anniversary. This article explains exactly how to do it on every platform, what counts as a Riot ID, and how to fix the most common errors people run into.

What Exactly Is a Riot ID?

Your Riot ID is the public name other players see in games like Valorant, League of Legends, and Teamfight Tactics. It is made up of two parts: a game name (up to 16 characters) and a tagline (a 3–5 character hashtag, like #NA1). Together they look like PlayerName#NA1. This replaced the old Summoner Name system in League of Legends in 2023, and it is now the single identity across all Riot games.

Your Riot ID is different from your login username and your email. You can change the display name without affecting your account credentials, purchase history, or ranked progress. The tagline is what disambiguates you from other players with the same game name — multiple people can share a game name, but the full Riot ID (name + tagline) is unique.

How to Change Your Riot ID (Step by Step)

You can change your Riot ID either on the official Riot Games website or inside the Riot Client. The website method works for all games and is the most reliable.

1. Go to account.riotgames.com and log in with your credentials.
2. Click the Riot ID tab in the left sidebar (or the “Edit” button next to your current ID on the overview page).
3. Enter your new game name in the first field. It must be 3–16 characters, letters, numbers, spaces, and some special characters like ., _, and - are allowed. Profanity and impersonation are blocked.
4. Choose a new tagline if you want — it must be 3–5 alphanumeric characters, no spaces. You can keep your current one.
5. Click Submit (or Save Changes). You may be asked to re-enter your password for security.
6. Confirm the cost if prompted. If you have 0 RP and have already used your free change, you will see an error asking you to add RP.

If you prefer the client: open the Riot Client, click your profile icon in the top-right, select Settings, then Riot ID, and click the pencil icon to edit. The same rules and costs apply.

How Much Does It Cost and When Is It Free?

The first Riot ID change on an account is always free. After that, each change costs 1400 RP, which is roughly $10–$12 depending on your region and how you buy RP. However, Riot grants one free change per year on the anniversary of your account creation. So if you changed your ID in March 2024, you can change it again for free in March 2025, even if you paid for a change in between.

There is no way to use Blue Essence, Valorant Points, or real money directly — only RP. If you have 0 RP, the option to change will be greyed out or show an error. You can buy RP from the in-game store or the Riot website.

Common Problems and How to Fix Them

Players often run into a few recurring issues when changing their Riot ID. Here are the most common and what to do about them.

• “Name is already taken” — This rarely happens because the tagline makes duplicates possible. If you see it, it usually means the exact combination of game name + tagline is taken. Try a different tagline or add a character to your name.
• “Name is inappropriate” — Riot’s automated filter blocks slurs, hate speech, and some sexual or drug references. Even mildly edgy names can get flagged. Choose something cleaner.
• “You cannot change your Riot ID yet” — This appears if you changed your ID within the last 30 days. Riot enforces a 30-day cooldown between changes, regardless of cost.
• “Insufficient RP” — You need 1400 RP in your account. If you have RP but it’s in a different region, it won’t count. Make sure you’re on the correct region account.
• Change doesn’t appear in game — After changing, you may need to fully restart the game client. In League of Legends, the change can take up to an hour to propagate. Log out and back in if it doesn’t show immediately.

What Happens to Your Old Name and Friends List?

When you change your Riot ID, your old name becomes available for others to claim after a short period (typically a few weeks, though Riot doesn’t publish an exact timeline). Your friends list, chat history, and game stats all remain intact — they are tied to your account, not your display name. Your friends will see your new name the next time they log in, and they can still message you because the system uses your account ID internally.

One thing to note: your tagline is part of your identity in Valorant and League. If you change it, people who had you added by searching your old tagline may not find you again unless they already have you on their friends list. If you’re in a clan or community that shares your tagline, think twice before changing it.

Riot ID vs. Summoner Name vs. Display Name

Many players confuse these three terms. Here’s the breakdown:

• Riot ID — The universal name shown in all Riot games (name + tagline). This is what you change.
• Summoner Name — The old League of Legends name system, retired in 2023. If you have an old account, your Summoner Name became your Riot ID game name automatically.
• Display Name — In Valorant, this is the same as your Riot ID. In some other games, “display name” might refer to a platform-specific name (like on the Riot Mobile app), but it’s always synced to your Riot ID.

Changing your Riot ID does not change your login username, your email, or your password. Those are separate credentials you set when creating the account.

Safety and Security Considerations

Changing your Riot ID is safe as long as you do it through the official website or client. Never give your password or account credentials to a third-party service that promises free name changes — those are scams that can steal your account. Riot will never ask for your password in a chat message or email. If you receive a message claiming your name change failed and asking you to verify your password, ignore it and report it.

Also, be careful with impersonation. If you change your name to mimic a famous streamer or Riot employee, you risk a ban. Riot’s terms of service prohibit impersonation, and the automated system may flag you even if you didn’t intend to deceive. Keep your name original and avoid adding “Riot” or “Admin” to your tagline.

Finally, remember that name changes are not refundable. If you spend RP and then decide you don’t like the new name, you’ll have to pay again to change it back (or wait for your next free annual change). Double-check the spelling before you confirm.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Riot ID for free more than once?

Yes, but only once per year. The first change is free, and then you get one free change on each account anniversary. Any additional changes within that year cost 1400 RP each.

Does changing my Riot ID affect my ranked rank or MMR?

No. Your rank, MMR, match history, and all progress are tied to your account, not your display name. Changing your name has zero effect on gameplay or competitive standing.

Can I use spaces and special characters in my Riot ID?

Yes. Your game name can include letters, numbers, spaces, and the characters ., _, and -. The tagline can only be letters and numbers (3–5 characters). No other symbols are allowed.

Why can’t I change my Riot ID even though I have RP?

If you have RP but the change fails, you likely hit the 30-day cooldown. Riot enforces a minimum of 30 days between any name changes, free or paid. Check the date of your last change and try again after the cooldown ends.

What happens if someone else takes my old Riot ID?

That’s allowed. Once you change your name, your old name becomes available for anyone to claim after a short grace period. If you want it back, you’ll need to change back to it before someone else grabs it, and that will cost RP if you’ve already used your free change.

Can I change my Riot ID on mobile?

Yes. You can use the Riot Mobile app or the mobile browser version of account.riotgames.com. The process is the same, but the interface is smaller. The same costs and cooldowns apply.

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