Yes, you can change your username in Fortnite, but the process depends on which account type you use

If you play Fortnite through an Epic Games account, you can change your display name (the name other players see) once every 14 days at no cost. The actual Epic Games account username — the one you log in with — cannot be changed after creation, but almost nobody plays using that name anyway. What matters for gameplay is your display name, and that one is yours to modify whenever you want, as long as you wait two weeks between changes.

The steps take about two minutes. You log into your Epic Games account on the website, go to your account settings, find the display name field, type in what you want, and save. The new name shows up in-game within a few minutes. If you play on console — PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch — your console account name is separate and follows your console's own rules, but your Fortnite display name still changes through Epic Games.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Fortnite display name (what other players see) can be changed every 14 days through your Epic Games account settings on the Epic Games website.
  • The Epic Games account username you log in with cannot be changed, but it is not visible to other players in Fortnite.
  • Display name changes take effect within a few minutes and cost nothing.
  • If you play on console, your console account name is separate from your Fortnite display name and follows your console's own rules.
  • Fortnite reserves the right to reset names that violate its code of conduct, including names with hate speech, slurs, or impersonation.

Where to change your display name

Go to www.epicgames.com and sign in with the account you use for Fortnite. Click your account icon in the top right corner and select "Account". On the left side, click "General". You will see a field labeled "Display Name" — that is the name other players see in-game. Type your new name and click "Save".

The name must be between 3 and 16 characters. You can use letters, numbers, and underscores. Spaces are not allowed. Once you save, the change appears in Fortnite within a few minutes, though it may take longer to update in your friends' lists.

The 14-day waiting period between changes

After you change your display name, you cannot change it again for 14 days. This timer starts the moment you save the change, not when it appears in-game. If you try to change it before 14 days have passed, the website will show you a message saying when you can change it next.

The waiting period applies whether you change your name once or multiple times. Each change resets the 14-day clock. This rule exists to prevent people from constantly switching names to avoid being reported or to confuse other players.

What happens if Fortnite resets your name

Epic Games monitors display names for violations of its code of conduct. Names that contain hate speech, slurs, sexual content, impersonation of real people or celebrities, or threats will be reset to a default name like "Player" followed by numbers. When this happens, you get a notification in-game and an email from Epic Games explaining why.

Once your name has been reset, you can change it again when ready — the 14-day waiting period does not explore to forced resets. However, if your names keep getting reset, Epic Games may restrict your ability to change your display name for a period of time or take other action on your account.

Console account names versus Fortnite display names

If you play on PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch, your console has its own account system with its own username. That console username is separate from your Fortnite display name. Other players see your Fortnite display name in Fortnite, not your console username.

If you want to change your console username, you follow your console's own process — that is not done through Epic Games. Your Fortnite display name will not change automatically if you change your console name. The two are independent.

Linking accounts and display name conflicts

If you have played Fortnite on multiple platforms — say, PC and PlayStation — and linked those accounts to the same Epic Games account, you have one display name across all of them. Changing it on the Epic Games website changes it everywhere you play.

If you have never linked your accounts, each platform may show a different name. For example, your PlayStation account might show your PlayStation username while your PC shows your Epic Games display name. Linking your accounts through the Epic Games website consolidates everything under one display name.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my display name more than once every 14 days?

No. Epic Games enforces a 14-day waiting period between display name changes. If you try to change it before 14 days have passed since your last change, the website will tell you the exact date and time you can change it again.

What if my desired display name is already taken?

Fortnite allows multiple players to have the same display name. You can use any name you want, even if another player already has it. The system that identifies you is your Epic Games account ID, not your display name, so duplicates do not cause problems.

Can I change my Epic Games account username?

No. The username you use to log into Epic Games cannot be changed. However, this username is not visible to other players in Fortnite — only your display name is. If you want a different name in-game, change your display name instead.

Will my friends see my new display name right away?

Your new display name appears in-game within a few minutes, but it may take longer to update in your friends' lists and in their recent players list. Give it up to an hour for the change to show everywhere.

What if I want to go back to my old display name?

You can change your display name back to an old one, but you still have to wait 14 days from your last change. There is no special process for reverting — just change it like any other name change.