You have 14 days from account creation to change your username for free

Epic Games gives you a two-week window after you create an account to change your username without paying a fee. This window starts the moment you first set up your account, not when you first log in or start playing a game. After those 14 days pass, changing your username costs $9.99 USD and can only be done once every 30 days.

The clock matters because it is a hard important date. If you create an account on a Monday, you have until the same day two weeks later to make the change free. After that, the paid option is your only route.

Key Takeaways

  • Your free username change window lasts exactly 14 days from the day you create your Epic Games account.
  • You change your username through your Account settings on the Epic Games website, not in-game.
  • Your new username must be between 3 and 16 characters, use only letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores, and cannot already be taken by another account.
  • After the 14-day window closes, you can still change your username, but it costs $9.99 and you can only do it once per 30 days.
  • Changing your username does not affect your game progress, friends list, or any purchases you have made.

How to change your username before the important date

Go to www.epicgames.com and sign into your account. Click your account name or profile icon in the top right corner, then select Account from the dropdown menu.

On the Account page, look for the section labeled General or Profile (the exact label varies slightly depending on when your account was created). You will see a field showing your current username. Click the pencil icon or Edit button next to it.

Type your new username into the text box. Epic Games will tell you when ready if the name is already taken or if it breaks their naming rules. Once you enter a valid name that is available, click Save or Confirm. The change takes effect right away.

Rules for your new username

Your username must be between 3 and 16 characters long. You can use uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores. You cannot use spaces, special characters like @, #, or !, or accented letters.

Epic Games does not allow usernames that are already in use by another account, even if that account is inactive or banned. The system checks this in real time as you type, so you will know right away if your choice is available. If a name you want is taken, try adding a number or underscore to make it unique.

Usernames that contain slurs, hate speech, or impersonation of real people or brands will be rejected. Epic Games also reserves the right to change usernames that violate their community standards, even after you have set them.

What happens to your old username after you change it

Once you change your username, your old one becomes available for someone else to claim. This happens when ready. If you change your mind within a few minutes, you cannot reclaim your original username — someone else may have already taken it.

Your friends list, game progress, cosmetics, and V-Bucks (the in-game currency) all stay with your account. Your friends will see your new username the next time they log in or refresh their friends list. Any invitations or messages sent to your old username will not reach you, so make sure your friends know your new name.

If you miss the 14-day window

After 14 days, you can still change your username, but you will need to pay $9.99 USD through your account settings. The process is the same — go to Account, find your username, and click Edit — but this time a payment screen will appear before the change goes through.

Once you pay to change your username, you must wait 30 days before you can change it again. This cooldown applies whether you pay or use a free change. If you change your username during your free window and then want to change it again, you will have to pay and wait 30 days.

Troubleshooting if your change does not go through

If you see an error message when you try to save your new username, the most common reason is that the name is already taken. Try refreshing the page and entering a different name. If the same name still shows as unavailable after you refresh, someone else has claimed it.

If you get a message saying your username contains invalid characters, check that you are only using letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores. Spaces and special characters like periods or apostrophes are not allowed, even though they appear in some real-world names.

If the Edit button does not appear next to your username, you may be outside the 14-day free window. Check the date you created your account — if it was more than 14 days ago, you will need to pay to change your username. If you believe you are still within the window, try logging out and logging back in, or use a different web browser.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username on my phone or in the game itself?

No. You must change your username through the Epic Games website on a computer or mobile browser. The option does not exist in the game client or in the mobile app. Go to epicgames.com, sign in, and navigate to Account settings.

What if someone took my desired username while I was deciding?

Usernames are first-come, first-served. If someone claimed it before you did, you cannot have it. Try adding a number, underscore, or variation to make it unique. You can also check if the account holding that name is active — if it has been inactive for years, you might try contacting Epic Games support, though they rarely release old usernames.

Does changing my username affect my Fortnite rank or cosmetics?

No. Your rank, battle pass progress, skins, emotes, V-Bucks, and all other account data stay exactly the same. Only your display name changes. Your friends will see the new name, but your game history and purchases are unaffected.

Can I change my username back to my old one after I change it?

Only if no one else has claimed it. Since old usernames become available when ready after you change them, someone else may have already taken yours. If you want to reclaim it, you would have to wait for that person to change their username or for their account to be deleted, which is not may provide to happen.

What if I created my account more than 14 days ago but have never changed my username?

You are outside the free window. You can still change your username, but it will cost $9.99. The 14-day window is based on when you created your account, not on how many times you have changed your name or how long it has been since you last logged in.