You can change your Fortnite username through your Epic Games account settings, and the process takes about five minutes

Your Fortnite username is tied to your Epic Games account, not to the game itself. That means you change it by logging into Epic Games online, not through Fortnite. The steps are straightforward: sign in to your Epic Games account, go to Account settings, find the Display Name field, type your new name, and save. Epic Games lets you change your display name once every 14 days, so you cannot swap it back and forth constantly.

One thing to know upfront: your Epic Games username (the one you use to log in) is separate from your display name (what other players see). You can change your display name whenever you want within that 14-day window. Your login username almost never changes, and Epic Games does not let you alter it yourself — you would need to contact support for that, which is rarely worth doing.

Key Takeaways

  • Go to www.epicgames.com, sign in, and click your account icon to reach Account settings.
  • Find Display Name in the Personal section and type your new name — it can be 3 to 16 characters and include letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores.
  • You can change your display name once every 14 days, so plan ahead if you want a specific name.
  • Your new display name shows up in Fortnite within a few minutes, but other players may see the old name briefly if they have not refreshed their game.

Step-by-step: changing your display name on Epic Games

Start by opening a web browser and going to www.epicgames.com. Click the account icon in the top right corner — it looks like a circle with your profile picture or initials. A dropdown menu will appear. Select "Account" from that menu.

Once you are in your account dashboard, look for "Personal" in the left sidebar. Click it. You will see several fields: your real name, email, date of birth, and Display Name. The Display Name field is what other Fortnite players see when you play with them. Click in that field, clear the current name, and type your new one.

Your new display name must be between 3 and 16 characters long. You can use letters (uppercase and lowercase), numbers, hyphens, and underscores. You cannot use spaces or special characters like @, #, or $. Epic Games will tell you if your name breaks these rules before you save it. Once you have typed a name that works, click the Save button. The change takes effect when ready in your Epic Games account, though it may take a few minutes to show up in Fortnite itself.

What happens if your desired name is already taken

If you type a name and Epic Games says it is unavailable, that name is already in use by another player. You cannot claim it, and there is no waitlist or way to reserve it. You will need to choose a different name — try adding a number at the end, using an underscore or hyphen in the middle, or picking something else entirely.

Some players try to find inactive accounts with names they want, but Epic Games does not free up usernames from old or abandoned accounts. If a name is taken, it stays taken. The best approach is to think of a few backup options before you start, so you are not stuck refreshing the same name over and over.

The 14-day waiting period between changes

After you change your display name, you cannot change it again for 14 days. This rule applies whether you changed it yourself or Epic Games support changed it for you. The timer starts the moment you save the new name, not when you log out or close the browser.

If you make a typo or when ready regret your choice, you are stuck with it for two weeks. That is why it helps to type your new name into a text document first, double-check it, and then paste it into the field. A few seconds of checking beats two weeks of living with a name you did not mean to pick.

How your new name appears in Fortnite and to other players

Once you save your new display name on Epic Games, it shows up in Fortnite within a few minutes. When you launch the game, your profile will display the new name. In the lobby, in-game chat, and on the scoreboard, other players will see your updated display name.

There is a small catch: if another player has Fortnite open and has not restarted the game, they may still see your old name on their screen for a while. This is not a problem — it just means their game has not refreshed yet. Once they close and reopen Fortnite, they will see your new name. This delay is normal and nothing you need to do anything about.

Changing your name if you play on console or mobile

It does not matter whether you play Fortnite on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, or mobile — your display name change happens through the Epic Games website, not through the game or your console. The steps are identical no matter what device you use to play. Log into Epic Games online, go to Account settings, change your Display Name, and save.

If you play on multiple devices, the new name will show up on all of them once the change takes effect. Your Epic Games account is the same across all platforms, so changing your display name once changes it everywhere.

What you cannot change and when to contact support

You cannot change your Epic Games username (the one you use to log in) yourself. If you need to change your login username, you will have to contact Epic Games support through their website. This is rare — most people only need to change their display name, which is what other players see.

You also cannot change your display name if your account has been suspended or banned. If you see an error message when you try to save a new name, check your account status first. If your account is in good standing and you still cannot change your name, contact Epic Games support and describe what error message you are seeing. Support can usually fix it within a day or two.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to change my password when I change my display name?

No. Your password stays the same. Changing your display name does not affect your login credentials or security settings. You only need your password to sign into your Epic Games account.

Will my old name be available again after I change it?

Not when ready. Epic Games holds onto old display names for a period of time before they become available again. If you change your name and then want to switch back, you may not be able to reclaim your old name right away. It is better to be sure about your new name before you save it.

Can I use special characters or spaces in my display name?

No. You can only use letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores. Spaces and special characters like @, #, $, or ! are not allowed. Epic Games will reject your name if you try to use them.

What if I see my old name in Fortnite after I changed it?

Other players may see your old name briefly because their game has not refreshed yet. This is normal. Ask them to close and reopen Fortnite, and they will see your new name. If you see your old name on your own screen after waiting a few minutes, try restarting Fortnite.

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

No. Epic Games enforces a 14-day waiting period between changes. You cannot pay to skip this wait or change it more often. If you need to change your name again, you will have to wait until the 14 days are up.