Yes, you can change your username, but there are real limits on how often

Epic Games lets you change your username, but not whenever you want. You get one free change every 30 days. After that, each additional change in the same 30-day window costs 1,000 V-Bucks — the premium currency in Fortnite and other Epic games. If you have never changed your username before, your first change is free and resets the 30-day timer.

The change takes effect when ready across all Epic Games services: Fortnite, Rocket League, Fall Guys, and any other game tied to your account. Your old username becomes available for someone else to claim after a short delay, usually within a few hours.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your Epic Games username once every 30 days for free; additional changes in the same period cost 1,000 V-Bucks each.
  • The username change applies to your entire Epic Games account and all games connected to it, not just one game.
  • You change your username through your account settings on the Epic Games website, not through the game launcher or in-game menus.
  • Your old username becomes available for others to use after a few hours, so you cannot reserve it by changing back and forth.
  • If your account is linked to a console (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch), your console username stays separate and does not change.

Where to find the username change option

Log into your Epic Games account on the Epic Games website, not in the game launcher. Go to Account Settings, then select General from the left menu. You will see your current username displayed near the top of the page. Click the pencil icon or Edit button next to your username to open the change dialog.

Type your new username into the field. Epic Games checks in real time whether the name is available — if it shows a green checkmark, the name is yours to claim. If it shows a red X or a message, that username is taken or violates Epic's naming rules. Names cannot contain spaces, must be between 3 and 16 characters, and cannot include certain symbols or offensive language.

Once you confirm the change, it takes effect when ready. You do not need to restart your game or log out and back in, though some games may ask you to restart to display your new name in-game.

What the 30-day cooldown actually means

The 30-day timer starts from the date of your last username change, not from the calendar month. If you change your username on March 15, your next free change is available on April 15. If you try to change it again on April 14, you will be charged 1,000 V-Bucks.

The cost applies per change, not per attempt. If you change your username, then change it again five days later, you pay 1,000 V-Bucks for that second change. If you change it a third time ten days after the first change, you pay 1,000 V-Bucks again. The free change resets only after 30 days have passed since your most recent change.

How this affects your gaming across platforms

Your Epic Games username is separate from your console username. If you play Fortnite on PlayStation, your PSN username does not change when you update your Epic Games username. Other players see your Epic Games username in Fortnite lobbies and on leaderboards, but your PlayStation Network profile keeps its original name. The same applies to Xbox Live, Nintendo Switch Online, and Steam usernames — they remain independent.

Friends who have you added on your old Epic Games username will still see you in their friends list after the change. The system updates automatically, so you do not need to re-add friends or ask them to update anything on their end.

What you cannot do with username changes

You cannot change your username back to one you used previously if someone else has claimed it. Once you change away from a username, it becomes available to the public within hours. If you change from "PlayerOne" to "PlayerTwo" and then want to go back to "PlayerOne" three weeks later, you cannot — someone else may have already taken it.

You also cannot change your username to impersonate another player or to use a name that is already taken. Epic Games does not allow usernames that contain hate speech, slurs, or sexually explicit content, and the system blocks these during the change process. If your new username is rejected, the reason is usually that it violates one of these rules or is already in use.

V-Bucks and the cost of frequent changes

If you want to change your username more than once per 30 days, you need V-Bucks. You can buy V-Bucks through the Epic Games store on the website or through the game launcher. Prices vary by bundle, but 1,000 V-Bucks typically costs around $10 USD. The exact price depends on your region and current promotions.

You cannot earn enough free V-Bucks through gameplay to cover username changes. Fortnite's Battle Pass and seasonal challenges award V-Bucks, but the amounts are small — usually 50 to 100 per challenge — and are meant to offset the cost of the next Battle Pass, not to fund other purchases.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my friends still see me after I change my username?

Yes. Your friends list updates automatically, and they will see your new username the next time they log in. You do not need to re-add anyone or notify them of the change. If they have you blocked, the block remains in place under your new name.

Can I change my username if my account is banned or suspended?

No. If your account is suspended or banned, you cannot make any changes, including username changes, until the suspension is lifted. If your account is permanently banned, you cannot change the username at all.

What happens to my username if I do not log in for a long time?

Your username is tied to your account and does not expire or become available to others just because you stop playing. As long as your account exists, your username is reserved for you, even if you do not log in for years.

Can I change my username on mobile or console?

No. You must change your username through the Epic Games website on a computer or mobile browser. The option is not available in the game launcher, in-game settings, or on console menus. Log into your account at epicgames.com to make the change.

Does changing my username affect my Fortnite stats or cosmetics?

No. Your stats, skins, emotes, and all other cosmetics stay with your account. The username change is cosmetic only — it does not reset your progress, delete your items, or affect your account in any way other than changing how your name appears to other players.