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. To change it, you log into your Epic Games account on a web browser, go to your Account settings, find the Display Name field, and save the change. The new name shows up in Fortnite the next time you launch the game. You get one free username change per year; after that, each change costs 800 V-Bucks (the in-game currency, roughly $8 USD, though prices vary by region).

The steps are the same whether you play on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, or mobile. Your username change affects how your name appears to other players in matches, on your profile, and in friend lists across all platforms where you use that Epic Games account.

Key Takeaways

  • Go to www.epicgames.com, sign in with 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 click Save.
  • Your first username change each year is free; changes after that cost 800 V-Bucks each.
  • The new name appears in Fortnite within a few minutes, but you may need to restart the game to see it on your own screen.
  • Usernames must be between 3 and 16 characters, can include letters and numbers, and cannot contain spaces or special characters.

Step-by-step process to change your display name

Open a web browser and go to www.epicgames.com. Click the account icon (usually your profile picture or initials) in the top right corner of the page. If you are not already signed in, you will be asked to log in with your email and password.

Once you are in your account, look for "Account" in the left menu and click it. You should see a section labeled "General" or "Profile Information" that shows your current Display Name. Click the pencil icon or the Edit button next to your name. Type your new username in the field, then click Save. Epic Games will confirm the change and show you a message saying your display name has been updated.

The change takes effect almost when ready on the Epic Games website, but Fortnite itself may take a few minutes to sync. Close Fortnite completely if it is running, then reopen it. Your new name should now appear in the lobby and in-game.

Rules for choosing a new username

Fortnite usernames must be between 3 and 16 characters long. You can use letters (A–Z, both uppercase and lowercase) and numbers (0–9). You cannot use spaces, underscores, hyphens, or special characters like @, #, or &. If you try to save a name that breaks these rules, Epic Games will show an error message and ask you to try again.

Your username also cannot be identical to an existing account's username. If the name you want is already taken, you will see a message saying the display name is unavailable. Try adding a number at the end or using a slight variation. Keep in mind that usernames are not case-sensitive, so "Player123" and "player123" are treated as the same name.

Understanding the cost of changing your username

Epic Games gives you one free username change per calendar year. The year resets on January 1st. If you change your name once in March, you can change it again for free in January of the following year. Any changes you make after your first free change in a year will cost 800 V-Bucks each.

V-Bucks are Fortnite's premium currency. You can buy them with real money through the in-game shop or the Epic Games website. The cost of 800 V-Bucks varies slightly by region and payment method, but it is typically around $8 USD. If you do not have enough V-Bucks in your account, you will not be able to complete the change until you purchase more.

What happens after you change your username

Your new display name appears to other players when ready or within a few minutes. In your own game client, you may still see your old name briefly until you restart Fortnite. Friends will see your new name in their friend lists, and your profile will show the updated username when they visit it.

Changing your username does not affect your account level, Battle Pass progress, cosmetics, V-Bucks balance, or any other progress in the game. Your stats and match history remain tied to your account. If you have a custom URL for your Epic Games profile (like epicgames.com/yourname), that URL will not change automatically—you may need to update it separately in your account settings if you want it to match your new display name.

Troubleshooting common problems

If you see an error message saying "Display Name is unavailable," the username you chose is either already taken or contains characters that are not allowed. Try a different name, or add numbers to the end of your preferred name. If the error persists, wait a few minutes and try again, as there can be a slight delay in the system updating.

If your new username does not appear in Fortnite after you have saved it on the Epic Games website, close the game completely (not just minimize it) and reopen it. If you are still seeing your old name after restarting, sign out of your Epic Games account within Fortnite and sign back in. Go to Settings > Account in the game, then select Sign Out, wait a few seconds, and sign back in.

If you have used your free username change already this year and want to change it again, you will need to purchase V-Bucks. Go to the Item Shop in Fortnite, select V-Bucks, and choose the amount you want to buy. Once you have at least 800 V-Bucks, return to your account settings on the Epic Games website and try the change again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username on my console or phone instead of on the website?

No. You must change your display name through the Epic Games website at www.epicgames.com. You cannot do it from within Fortnite or through the console or mobile app. However, the change will show up on all platforms once you save it on the website.

What if someone else takes the username I want before I can change to it?

Usernames are first-come, first-served. If another player claims the name you want, you cannot use it. Choose a backup name in case your first choice is taken. Adding numbers or slight variations (like "Player123" instead of "Player") increases your chances of finding an available name.

Do I lose my cosmetics or progress if I change my username?

No. Your skins, emotes, Battle Pass progress, level, V-Bucks, and all other account data stay exactly the same. Only your display name changes. Your account itself does not change at all.

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

The change usually appears within a few minutes on the Epic Games website and to other players. On your own game client, you may see your old name until you restart Fortnite completely. If it has been more than 10 minutes and you still see your old name after restarting, try signing out and back in through the game's account settings.

Can I change my username more than once per year for free?

No. You get one free change per calendar year (January 1 through December 31). After that, each additional change costs 800 V-Bucks. Your free change resets on January 1st of the next year.