Change Your Username Through Your Account Settings

You change your Epic Games username by logging into your account on the Epic Games website, going to your Account settings, and using the Display Name field. The process takes about two minutes and you can do it from any device with a web browser. Your new username appears when ready in games and on your profile, though some games may take a few hours to show the change.

The username you set here is what other players see when you play online. It is separate from your email address and your Epic Games account name — you can change the display name as often as you want, but there are a few limits on what characters you can use and how frequently you can change it.

Key Takeaways

  • Log into www.epicgames.com, click your account icon in the top right, and select Account.
  • Click the pencil icon next to your current display name and type your new username, which can be 3 to 16 characters long.
  • You can use letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores, but not spaces or special characters like @, #, or &.
  • After you change your username, you must wait 14 days before changing it again.
  • Your new username shows up right away in Fortnite, Rocket League, and other Epic Games titles, though some third-party games may take longer.

Step-by-Step: Changing Your Display Name

Step 1: Go to the Epic Games website and sign in. Open www.epicgames.com in your browser. Click the Sign In button in the top right corner. Enter the email address or phone number linked to your Epic Games account, then your password. If you have two-factor authentication turned on, you will need to enter the code from your authenticator app or email.

Step 2: Open your Account settings. Once you are signed in, click your account icon (it looks like a circle with your profile picture or initials) in the top right corner of the page. A menu will drop down. Click Account to go to your account dashboard.

Step 3: Find the Display Name field. On the Account page, look for a section labeled General or Profile Information. You will see your current display name listed there. Next to it is a pencil icon or an Edit button. Click that icon to open the editing field.

Step 4: Type your new username. The field will become active and you can now type. Your new username must be between 3 and 16 characters long. You can use uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers (0–9), hyphens (-), and underscores (_). You cannot use spaces, periods, or special characters like @, #, $, %, &, or asterisks. Epic Games will tell you if your choice breaks these rules before you save.

Step 5: Save your changes. Click the checkmark or Save button next to the field. Epic Games will confirm that your new username has been saved. Your display name changes when ready across all Epic Games titles you play, including Fortnite, Rocket League, and Fall Guys.

What Characters and Lengths Are Allowed

Your Epic Games display name must be between 3 and 16 characters. You can use any combination of uppercase letters (A–Z), lowercase letters (a–z), numbers (0–9), hyphens (-), and underscores (_). Spaces are not allowed, and neither are periods, commas, or any special characters.

If you try to save a username that breaks these rules, Epic Games will show an error message telling you exactly what is wrong. Common rejections happen when people try to use spaces (type an underscore instead) or periods (which are not supported). If the username you want is already taken by another player, you will see a message saying the name is unavailable — you will need to choose something different.

The 14-Day Waiting Period Between Changes

After you change your display name, you must wait 14 days before you can change it again. This rule applies even if you want to change it back to your old name. The 14-day timer starts the moment you save your new username, not when you click the edit button.

If you try to change your name before the 14 days are up, Epic Games will show you a message saying when you will be able to change it next. There is no way to skip this waiting period, so choose carefully. If you make a mistake, you will need to wait the full two weeks before you can fix it.

When Your New Username Shows Up in Games

In Epic Games titles like Fortnite, Rocket League, and Fall Guys, your new username appears when ready after you save it. You may need to restart the game or log out and back in to see the change on your screen, but other players will see your new name right away.

If you play games made by other companies that use Epic Games accounts to sign in (sometimes called third-party games), the name change may take a few hours to show up. This happens because those games sync with Epic Games on their own schedule. If your new name does not appear after a few hours, try restarting the game or logging out and back in.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

If you see an error message saying your username is unavailable, it means another player already has that name. Try adding a number or underscore to make it unique — for example, if "Shadow" is taken, try "Shadow_1" or "Shadow42". Epic Games does not hold usernames for inactive accounts, so popular names may become available again if players stop using them.

If you cannot find the Display Name field in your Account settings, make sure you are on the General or Profile Information section of your account page. Some accounts show different layouts depending on your region or account type. If you still cannot find it, try signing out completely, clearing your browser cache, and signing back in.

If your new username is not showing up in a game after several hours, check that you are signed into the correct Epic Games account in that game. Go to the game's settings and look for an account or profile section to confirm which Epic Games account is linked. If the wrong account is linked, you may need to unlink it and sign in with the correct one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username if I have not played in a long time?

Yes. Your ability to change your username is not affected by how long it has been since you last played. As long as your account is active and you can sign in, you can change your display name at any time. The only limit is the 14-day waiting period between changes.

What happens to my old username after I change it?

Your old username becomes available for other players to use after you change it. Epic Games does not reserve it for you, so if you change your mind, you may not be able to get it back. Choose your new name carefully because of the 14-day waiting period.

Will changing my username affect my game progress or cosmetics?

No. Your game progress, cosmetics, V-Bucks, and all other account data stay exactly the same. Changing your display name only changes what other players see — it does not touch anything you own or any progress you have made.

Can I use the same username as a famous streamer or player?

If the username is already taken, no. Epic Games does not reserve names for famous players or give them special protection. If a name is available, any player can use it. If it is taken, you will need to choose a different one.

Do I need to change my password when I change my username?

No. Your username and password are separate. Changing your display name does not affect your password or your account security. You only need to change your password if you think someone else knows it or if you want to update it for security reasons.