Change Your Username Through the Epic Games Website

Your Fortnite username lives on your Epic Games account, not inside the game itself. To change it, you log into your Epic Games account on the web, find the username field in your account settings, and update it there. The change takes effect when ready in Fortnite and everywhere else you use that Epic account.

Start by going to www.epicgames.com and signing in with the email and password for the account linked to your Fortnite profile. Once you are logged in, look for your account icon or profile picture in the top right corner and click it. A menu will drop down — select Account.

On the Account page, find the left sidebar menu and click General. You will see a section labeled Display Name with your current username displayed. Click the pencil icon or the Edit button next to it to open the edit field.

Key Takeaways

  • You change your Fortnite username through Epic Games' website account settings, not through the game itself.
  • Your display name can be 3 to 16 characters long and can include letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores, but not spaces.
  • Epic Games allows you to change your username once every 30 days, so choose carefully before you confirm.
  • The change takes effect when ready across Fortnite, your Epic Games profile, and any other games linked to that account.
  • If your desired username is taken, you will see an error message and must choose a different one.

What Characters and Lengths Are Allowed

Epic Games has specific rules about what characters you can use in a display name. 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.

If you try to enter a username that breaks these rules, Epic Games will show an error message telling you what is not allowed. The most common mistake is including a space — if you want to separate words, use a hyphen or underscore instead. For example, Cool-Player or Cool_Player works, but Cool Player does not.

Confirming Your New Username

Once you type your new username into the edit field, Epic Games checks whether that name is already taken. If it is available, you will see a green checkmark or a message saying the name is available. If someone else has already claimed it, you will see a red X and a message saying the name is taken — you will need to choose a different one.

When you have found an available name you want, click the Save or Confirm button. Epic Games will ask you to confirm your password for security reasons. Type your password and click Confirm again. Your new username is now active.

The 30-Day Waiting Period Between Changes

After you change your username, Epic Games locks you out of making another change for 30 days. This rule exists to prevent people from constantly switching names and confusing other players. If you try to change your name again before 30 days have passed, you will see a message telling you when you can change it next.

Because of this waiting period, take time to choose a name you will be happy with. If you realize when ready after changing it that you made a typo or do not like the new name, you cannot fix it for a month. If you are unsure, write down a few options and think about them before you hit save.

What Happens to Your Old Username

When you change your display name, your old username becomes available for someone else to claim. If you had a username that other players knew you by, they will see your new name the next time they check their friends list or encounter you in a match. Your old username does not stay reserved for you.

Your account history, cosmetics, Battle Pass progress, and V-Bucks all stay with your account — only the name changes. Friends who have you added will still see you in their friends list, but your name will show as the new one.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

If you see a message saying your username is unavailable even though it seems straightforward and short, it may contain a word or phrase Epic Games has blocked. Epic Games reserves certain names and blocks others that violate their community standards. If this happens, try a different combination of letters and numbers.

If you are locked out of changing your username because you changed it recently, you will see a countdown timer showing how many days remain before you can change it again. There is no way to bypass this waiting period — you must wait the full 30 days. If you changed your name by mistake, contact Epic Games Support through their website, though they typically will not override the 30-day rule unless there is a security issue with your account.

If you changed your username but it is not showing up in Fortnite, try logging out of the game completely and logging back in. Sometimes the game needs to refresh your account information. If it still does not show after logging back in, wait a few minutes and try again — the change can take a moment to sync across all Epic Games services.

Changing Your Username on Console or Mobile

You cannot change your username directly from the Fortnite game on PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, or mobile devices. You must go through the Epic Games website on a computer or phone browser. Once you change it on the website, the new name appears in the game on all platforms where you play.

If you are playing on console, the easiest path is to open a web browser on your phone or computer, go to epicgames.com, and follow the steps above. The change will be live in your console version of Fortnite within a few minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username back to my old one after 30 days?

Yes. After 30 days have passed since your last change, you can change your username to anything available, including your previous name — as long as no one else has claimed it in the meantime. If someone else took your old username, you cannot use it again unless they change theirs.

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

Yes. Your friends list does not change, and your friends will still see you in their list with your new username. Your account ID stays the same — only the display name changes. They will see the new name the next time they log in or refresh their friends list.

What if I forgot my Epic Games password and cannot confirm the change?

You will need to reset your password before you can change your username. On the Epic Games login page, click Forgot Password, enter your email address, and follow the reset link sent to your inbox. Once you have set a new password, log back into your account and change your username.

Does changing my username affect my V-Bucks or cosmetics?

No. Your V-Bucks, skins, emotes, pickaxes, and all other cosmetics stay with your account. Only your display name changes. Everything you own remains in your inventory under your new username.

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

The change is usually live within a few minutes. If you are already in a match or in the lobby when you change it, try restarting the game to see the new name when ready. If you wait a few minutes without restarting, it will update on its own.