You can change your Fortnite username through the Epic Games website, and it takes about five minutes
Your Fortnite username is tied to your Epic Games account, not to the game itself. To change it, you log into your Epic Games account on the web, go to your account settings, find the display name field, and save the new one. The change shows up in Fortnite when ready — you do not need to restart the game or wait for a sync.
Epic Games lets you change your display name once every 30 days. If you changed it recently, you will see a countdown timer telling you when you can change it again. There is no cost to change your name, and it does not affect your account progress, cosmetics, or friends list.
Key Takeaways
- Go to www.epicgames.com, sign into your account, and click your account icon in the top right to reach account settings.
- Find the display name field under your profile information and type your new username, then save the change.
- You can change your name once every 30 days, and the change appears in Fortnite right away.
- Your new username must be between 3 and 16 characters and cannot contain spaces or special characters other than hyphens and underscores.
- Changing your display name does not affect your cosmetics, V-Bucks, battle pass progress, or your friends list.
Step-by-step: changing your display name on the Epic Games website
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 small circle with your profile picture or initials. A dropdown menu will appear with several options.
Click on "Account" from that menu. You will land on your account overview page. On the left side, you should see a menu with options like "General", "Password", and "Connections". Click "General" if it is not already selected. Scroll down until you see the "Display Name" field — this is the name that shows up in Fortnite and in the Epic Games launcher.
Click in the display name field and clear the current name. Type your new username. Remember that it must be between 3 and 16 characters long and can only use letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores — no spaces or other symbols. Once you have typed the new name, click the "Save" button below the field.
Epic Games will confirm the change with a message on the page. The new name takes effect when ready in Fortnite. You do not need to close and reopen the game, though you may need to refresh your friends list or lobby to see the change reflected everywhere.
What characters and names are not allowed
Your new username cannot contain spaces, periods, commas, or special characters like @, #, $, or &. Hyphens and underscores are the only punctuation marks allowed. If you try to save a name with forbidden characters, Epic Games will show an error message and prevent you from saving.
Epic Games also blocks usernames that contain profanity, slurs, or references to real people's names without permission. If you try to save a name that violates these rules, the system will reject it and tell you the name is unavailable. Try a different combination of letters and numbers instead.
The name must also be between 3 and 16 characters. If you type something shorter than 3 characters or longer than 16, the save button will not work until you adjust the length.
What happens if your desired name is already taken
If someone else already has the username you want, Epic Games will tell you "that display name is unavailable" when you try to save it. This does not mean the account is inactive or that you can claim it — Epic Games does not free up old usernames, even if an account has not been used in years.
Your options are to add numbers to the end of the name (like "YourName42"), use a hyphen or underscore in the middle (like "Your-Name"), or choose a different name altogether. Many players add their birth year, a favorite number, or a short word to make their desired name unique.
The 30-day waiting period between changes
After you change your display name, Epic Games locks you out of changing it again for 30 days. If you try to change it before that period ends, you will see a timer on the display name field showing how many days and hours remain. You cannot bypass this waiting period — it is a system-wide rule that applies to every account.
Plan your name change carefully if you know you might want to adjust it soon. If you made a typo or chose a name you dislike, you will have to wait the full 30 days before you can try again. There is no way to request an exception or speed up the timer.
Your old username does not stay reserved
When you change your display name, your old name becomes available for someone else to use when ready. If you change from "OldName" to "NewName", another player can claim "OldName" right away. This means you cannot change back to your old name unless no one has taken it in the meantime.
If you are worried about losing a name you like, think carefully before changing it. Once it is gone, it is gone unless you get lucky and find it unclaimed later. Some players keep their original name for years for this reason.
What does not change when you update your username
Your cosmetics, V-Bucks, battle pass progress, and all your in-game items stay exactly the same. Changing your display name is purely cosmetic — it only changes what other players see when they look at your profile or encounter you in a match. Your account ID, which is the number behind the scenes, never changes.
Your friends list also stays intact. Everyone on your friends list will see your new name the next time they log in or refresh their friends list. You do not lose any friendships or have to re-add people. Parties, clan memberships, and any other social connections remain unchanged.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my Fortnite username on console or mobile?
No, you must change it through the Epic Games website on a computer or phone browser. The Fortnite game itself does not have a name-change option in its settings menu. Log into your Epic Games account online, go to account settings, and change the display name there.
What if I forgot my Epic Games password?
Go to www.epicgames.com and click "Sign In" in the top right. Click "Forgot your password?" and enter the email address linked to your account. Epic Games will send you a reset link. Click the link in your email, create a new password, and then you can log in and change your display name.
Does changing my username affect my rank or stats?
No, your rank, wins, kills, and all other statistics stay the same. Your account ID never changes, so all your progress is tied to the same account. Other players will see your new name, but your stats remain attached to your account.
Can I use spaces or special characters in my username?
No, spaces and most special characters are not allowed. You can only use letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores. Your username must also be between 3 and 16 characters long. If you try to save a name with forbidden characters, Epic Games will reject it.
How long does it take for my new username to show up in Fortnite?
The change takes effect when ready after you save it on the Epic Games website. You may need to refresh your game or friends list to see it everywhere, but you do not need to restart Fortnite or wait for any kind of sync process.