Change your username through the Epic Games website
You change your Fortnite username by logging into your Epic Games account online, not through the game itself. Go to www.epicgames.com, click the account icon in the top right, and select "Account". From there, click "General" on the left side, find the "Display Name" field, and type your new username. Epic Games lets you change your display name once every 30 days, so choose carefully — you cannot change it again for a month.
Your new username appears in Fortnite within a few minutes. Other players will see it in matches, on your profile, and in chat. If you change your mind within 30 days, you are stuck with the name until the waiting period passes. There is no way to speed up the cooldown or get an exception.
Key Takeaways
- You change your display name on the Epic Games website under Account > General, not in the Fortnite game client.
- Epic Games enforces a 30-day waiting period between username changes, so your new name is permanent for at least a month.
- Your username must be between 3 and 16 characters and cannot contain certain symbols or offensive words.
- Changing your display name does not affect your account security, saved progress, or cosmetics — everything stays with your account.
What usernames Epic Games will not allow
Epic Games blocks usernames that contain profanity, impersonation, or hateful language. The system also rejects names with consecutive special characters, spaces, or certain symbols like asterisks and slashes. If you try to save a name and get an error message, the name violates one of these rules — try removing special characters or choosing different words.
Names that look like they are pretending to be a real person, celebrity, or official account will be rejected. For example, you cannot use "Epic Games Official" or "Ninja" if you are not that person. Epic Games checks these during the save process, so you will know when ready if your choice does not work.
The 30-day cooldown between changes
Once you change your username, you cannot change it again for 30 days. This timer starts the moment you save the new name, not when you log out or close the browser. If you realize you made a typo or hate your choice five minutes after changing it, you still have to wait the full 30 days.
The only exception is if Epic Games support determines that your account was compromised or that someone else changed your name without permission. Contact Epic Games support through their website and explain what happened. They may reset the cooldown if they find evidence of unauthorized access, but this is rare and requires proof.
How to find your Epic Games account if you forgot your login
If you cannot remember your Epic Games email or password, go to www.epicgames.com and click "Sign In" in the top right. Click "Forgot your password?" and enter the email address you think you used. Epic Games will send a password reset link to that email. If you do not receive it, check your spam folder or try a different email address you may have used.
If you cannot access the email address tied to your account, click "Can't sign in?" on the password reset page. Epic Games will ask you to verify your identity by answering security questions or providing information about your account, such as the date you created it or the last game you played. This process can take a few days.
Changing your username on console or mobile
You cannot change your username directly from the Fortnite app on your phone, tablet, or console. You must log into www.epicgames.com on a computer or mobile web browser to make the change. Once you change it on the website, the new name syncs to all your devices within minutes — you do not need to log out and back in.
If you are playing on PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch, your Epic Games display name is what other players see, not your console username. Changing your console name does not change your Fortnite username. The two are separate, and only the Epic Games name matters in the game.
What happens to your cosmetics and progress when you change your name
Changing your username does not affect your skins, emotes, V-Bucks, battle pass progress, or any other cosmetics. Everything stays with your account. Your friends list, match history, and stats all remain the same — only the name displayed changes.
If you are worried about losing access to your account, changing your display name does not require you to reset your password or change your security settings. Your login email and password stay the same. The display name is just what other players see when they look at your profile or encounter you in a match.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my username more than once every 30 days?
No. Epic Games enforces a strict 30-day cooldown between changes. There is no way to bypass this, and support will not make exceptions unless your account was hacked. Plan your username carefully before you save it.
What if someone else has the username I want?
Usernames are unique — only one person can have each name. If the name is taken, you will get an error message when you try to save it. Try adding a number, underscore, or variation of the name you want. You can also check if the person using it is still active by searching for their profile.
Do I need to change my password when I change my username?
No. Your password and your display name are separate. Changing your username does not affect your login security. You only need to change your password if you suspect someone has accessed your account without permission.
Will my friends see my old username if they look at old screenshots or videos?
Yes. Screenshots and videos recorded before you changed your name will still show your old username. The change only affects what appears in the game going forward and on your current profile.
Can I use special characters or spaces in my username?
You can use some special characters like underscores and hyphens, but not spaces or consecutive symbols. Epic Games rejects names with asterisks, slashes, or other punctuation marks. Stick to letters, numbers, underscores, and hyphens to avoid errors.