Change your Fortnite username from your Epic Games account settings

Your Fortnite username is controlled by your Epic Games account, not by Fortnite itself. To change it, you log into your Epic Games account on the web, go to Account Settings, find the Display Name field, and save the new name. The change takes effect when ready in Fortnite and across all other Epic Games titles you own. You can change your display name once every 30 days.

The process takes about two minutes if you remember your password. If you do not, you will need to reset it first, which adds another step but uses the same email recovery system Epic Games uses for all account issues.

Key Takeaways

  • Go to www.epicgames.com, sign in with your account email and password, and click your account icon in the top right corner.
  • Select Account, then Personal, and look for the Display Name field — this is what appears in Fortnite and in your Epic Games profile.
  • Type your new username, check that it is not already taken (Epic Games will tell you if it is), and click Save.
  • You can change your display name once every 30 days, and the change shows up in Fortnite within seconds.
  • If you forget your password, click Forgot Password on the Epic Games login page and follow the email recovery steps before you can access settings.

Step-by-step: changing your display name on the web

Start by opening www.epicgames.com in any web browser. Click the Sign In button in the top right corner. Enter the email address tied to your Epic Games account and your password, then click Sign In. If you have two-factor authentication turned on (which Epic Games recommends for security), you will be asked to enter a code from your phone or email before you can proceed.

Once you are signed in, click your account icon — it looks like a small circle or avatar in the top right corner of the page. A dropdown menu will appear. Click Account. On the left side of the page, you will see a menu with options like Personal, Security, and Connections. Click Personal.

Scroll down until you see the Display Name field. This is the name that shows in Fortnite, in your Epic Games profile, and when other players see your account. Click in the field and delete your current name, then type your new one. Epic Games will check in real time whether the name is available — if another player already has it, you will see a message saying so, and you will need to choose a different name.

Once you have a name that is available, click the Save button below the field. The page will refresh, and your new display name is now active. In Fortnite, your name will update within seconds. You do not need to restart the game.

What happens if you forget your password

If you try to sign in and cannot remember your password, click the Forgot Password link on the Epic Games login page. Enter the email address for your account. Epic Games will send you a password reset link to that email. Open the email, click the link, and you will be taken to a page where you can create a new password.

Make your new password at least 8 characters long and include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, and numbers — Epic Games requires this. Once you have set a new password, go back to the login page, sign in with your email and new password, and follow the steps above to change your display name.

The 30-day waiting period between changes

Epic Games limits display name changes to once every 30 days. This rule applies whether you change your name through the web or through the Fortnite game itself. If you try to change your name before 30 days have passed since your last change, the Save button will be grayed out and you will see a message telling you when you can change it again.

The 30-day timer starts from the moment you save a new name, not from when you started typing it. If you change your name on March 15, you cannot change it again until April 15. Plan your name changes accordingly if you know you want to switch names more than once.

Changing your name through Fortnite itself

You can also change your display name directly from inside Fortnite without opening a web browser. Launch Fortnite and go to the main menu. Click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top left corner, then select Settings. Go to the Account tab. Look for Display Name and click on it. Type your new name and confirm the change.

The process is identical to the web method — the same 30-day rule applies, and the name must be available. Some players find it faster to do this in-game if they are already playing, while others prefer the web method because the screen is larger and easier to read.

What you cannot change about your account name

Your Epic Games username (the one you use to log in) is different from your display name (the one other players see). You cannot change your login username. If you want a completely different login email, you can add a second email address to your account and set it as your primary, but the original email will remain tied to the account.

Your account ID — a long string of numbers and letters that Epic Games assigns to you — also cannot be changed. This ID is what Fortnite uses behind the scenes to track your progress, cosmetics, and friends list. Your display name is purely cosmetic and does not affect any of your account data or progress.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Your new display name appears in Fortnite within seconds of saving it on the Epic Games website or in-game settings. You do not need to restart the game or log out and back in. Other players will see your new name the next time they load into a match or check their friends list.

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

Yes, but you have to wait 30 days between changes. If you changed your name and want to go back to your old one, you can do so after the 30-day waiting period ends. The old name must still be available — if another player has taken it in the meantime, you cannot reclaim it.

What if the name I want is already taken?

Epic Games will show you a message saying the name is unavailable. Try a variation — add numbers, underscores, or a short word to make it unique. Display names can be up to 16 characters long, so you have room to work with. Once you find an available name, save it and you are done.

Will changing my username affect my Fortnite progress or cosmetics?

No. Your skins, battle pass progress, V-Bucks, and all other account data are tied to your account ID, not your display name. Changing your name is purely cosmetic and does not touch any of your progress or items.

Can I use special characters or spaces in my username?

Display names can include letters, numbers, underscores, and hyphens. Spaces and most special characters (like @, #, $) are not allowed. Epic Games will let you know if you try to use a character that is not permitted.