You can change your Epic Games username through your account settings, and it takes about five minutes

Log into your Epic Games account on the web, go to your Account settings, find the Display Name field under your profile information, type your new username, and save the change. The new name takes effect when ready in most games and on your profile. You get one free username change; after that, each change costs $9.99 USD. Some usernames are reserved by Epic Games or blocked because they contain profanity or impersonation, so if your choice is rejected, you will see that message and can try a different one.

The steps are the same whether you play Fortnite, Rocket League, or any other Epic Games title. Your new username will show up to other players right away, though it may take a few hours to update everywhere — in your friends list, in-game chat, and on your profile page.

Key Takeaways

  • Go to www.epicgames.com, sign in, and click your account icon in the top right corner to reach Account settings.
  • Your first username change is free; every change after that costs $9.99 USD and takes effect when ready.
  • Epic Games blocks usernames that are reserved, contain profanity, or look like impersonation attempts — you will see an error message if yours is rejected.
  • The new name shows up in Fortnite, Rocket League, and other Epic Games titles within a few hours, though it may not update everywhere at once.
  • You cannot change your username more than once every 30 days unless you pay the fee each time.

Step-by-step: changing your display name

Open a web browser and go to www.epicgames.com. Click the account icon in the top right corner — it looks like a person's head and shoulders. Select "Account" from the dropdown menu.

On the Account page, look for the "General" section on the left side. Click it if it is not already selected. You will see a field labeled "Display Name" with your current username in it. Click inside that field, delete the old name, and type your new one. Epic Games usernames can be 3 to 16 characters long and can include letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores.

After you type your new name, click the "Save" button below the field. If the name is available, the page will confirm the change and your new username takes effect right away. If the name is taken or blocked, you will see a red error message explaining why — usually because it is reserved, contains profanity, or looks like it is trying to impersonate someone else. Try a different name and save again.

What happens to your old username

Your old username becomes available for other players to use after you change it. Epic Games does not hold it for you, so if you change your mind later, someone else may have already claimed it. If you want to go back to a previous username, you would have to pay the $9.99 fee again and hope no one has taken it in the meantime.

Your account history, friends list, and game progress stay the same — only the name displayed to other players changes. People who had you added as a friend will still see you in their friends list under your new name.

The $9.99 fee and the 30-day rule

Your first username change is free. After that, Epic Games charges $9.99 USD for each change. You also cannot change your username more than once every 30 days, whether you pay or not. If you try to change it again within 30 days of your last change, the system will tell you how many days you have to wait.

The fee is charged to the payment method on file in your Epic Games account. If your change is rejected because the name is unavailable or blocked, you are not charged — you only pay when the change goes through successfully.

Usernames that Epic Games will not allow

Epic Games blocks usernames that fall into a few categories. Reserved names include usernames that Epic Games staff use, names of famous people or brands, and names that look like official Epic Games accounts. Profanity and slurs are blocked automatically. Usernames that look like they are trying to impersonate someone else — for example, adding extra characters to a famous player's name — are also rejected.

If you see an error message when you try to save your new name, read it carefully. It will tell you which rule your username broke. Common fixes: remove numbers or underscores that make it look like a copy of someone else's name, choose a completely different word if the one you want is reserved, or pick a different combination of letters if profanity filters are catching part of your name by accident.

Changing your username on console or mobile

You cannot change your Epic Games username directly from the Fortnite app on your phone, tablet, or console. You have to use the web version at www.epicgames.com. Log in there, make the change, and it will sync to your console or mobile app within a few hours.

If you are playing on PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch, your console username is separate from your Epic Games username. Changing your Epic Games display name does not change your console username, and other players will see your Epic Games name in-game, not your console name.

Troubleshooting common problems

If you see a message that says "Display Name is already taken," that username belongs to someone else. Try adding a number, underscore, or hyphen to make it unique. If the error says "Display Name contains profanity," the filter caught a word or part of a word in your username — try removing or replacing characters.

If your new username does not show up in-game right away, wait a few hours and restart the game. Sometimes the change takes time to sync across all of Epic Games' servers. If it still has not updated after a full day, sign out of your Epic Games account completely, close the game, and sign back in.

If you cannot access your account settings at all, make sure you are signed into the correct Epic Games account. If you have multiple accounts, you might be logged into the wrong one. Check the account icon in the top right corner of www.epicgames.com to confirm which account you are using.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username back to what it was before?

Only if no one else has claimed it. Your old username becomes available to other players when ready after you change it. If you want to switch back, you would have to pay the $9.99 fee and hope it is still unclaimed. There is no way to reserve an old username or get it back if someone else takes it.

Do I have to pay the $9.99 fee if my username change is rejected?

No. You are only charged if the change goes through successfully. If Epic Games blocks your username because it is reserved, contains profanity, or looks like impersonation, you will see an error message and no charge will be made. You can try a different name for free.

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

Yes. Your friends list and all your account history stay exactly the same. Your friends will see your new username in their friends list and in-game, but they will not lose you or have to re-add you. The change is just cosmetic — it does not affect your account or your relationships with other players.

How long does it take for my new username to show up everywhere?

The change takes effect when ready in your account settings, but it may take a few hours to update in Fortnite, Rocket League, and other games, and on your profile page. If it has not updated after a few hours, try restarting the game or signing out and back in to your Epic Games account.

Can I use special characters or spaces in my username?

You can use hyphens and underscores, but not spaces or other special characters like @, #, or $. Usernames are 3 to 16 characters long and can include letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores only.