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, find the account settings, and update your display name there. The change shows up in Fortnite when ready, though other players may see a brief delay before the new name appears in their friends lists.

You can change your username as often as you want, with one exception: if you change it, you have to wait 30 days before changing it again. This cooldown resets each time you make a change, so plan ahead if you want a specific name.

Key Takeaways

  • Go to www.epicgames.com, sign in with your account, and click your account name in the top right to open account settings.
  • Click "Account" in the left menu, then find "Display Name" and click the pencil icon to edit it.
  • Type your new username, click "Save", and the change takes effect when ready in Fortnite.
  • You must wait 30 days after changing your username before you can change it again.
  • If your account uses a console sign-in (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch), you may need to change the name through that console's account settings instead.

Step-by-step: changing your display name on the web

Open a web browser and go to www.epicgames.com. Click the account icon in the top right corner — it looks like a person's head — and select "Account" from the dropdown menu.

On the account page, click "Account" in the left sidebar. Scroll down until you see "Display Name" with a pencil icon next to it. Click the pencil icon to edit the field. Type your new username in the box that appears, then click the "Save" button below it. Your new name is now live in Fortnite.

The name change shows up for you when ready. Other players may see the old name for a few hours while the servers sync, but it will update for them too.

What to do if you signed in with a console account

If you created your Epic Games account by signing in through PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, or Nintendo Switch, your Fortnite username may be locked to that console's account name. In this case, changing the display name on the Epic Games website will not work.

Instead, you need to change the username on the console itself. On PlayStation, go to Settings > Users and Accounts > Other > Your Profile > Edit Profile > Change Your Name. On Xbox, go to Settings > Account > Personalization > Gamertag. On Nintendo Switch, go to System Settings > Users > Select Your User > Edit Profile > Nickname. Once you change it there, the change syncs to your Epic Games account and Fortnite within a few hours.

If you are unsure whether your account is linked to a console, log into www.epicgames.com, go to Account > Connections, and look for PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, or Nintendo Switch. If one of these is connected, you will need to change the name through that platform.

The 30-day waiting period between changes

Epic Games enforces a 30-day cooldown after each username change. This means if you change your name today, you cannot change it again until 30 days from now. The timer resets each time you make a change, so if you change your name on day 15, the next change is not available until day 45.

This rule exists to prevent account takeovers and impersonation. If someone gains access to your account, they cannot rapidly cycle through names to confuse your friends or hide their activity. It also means you should think carefully about the name you choose, because you are stuck with it for at least a month.

Names that Fortnite will not let you use

Epic Games blocks usernames that contain profanity, slurs, or references to real people's names. The system also rejects names that are already taken by another player. If you try to save a name and it fails, the website will tell you why — usually "that name is unavailable" or "that name contains prohibited content."

If a name is taken, try adding numbers or underscores to make it unique. If a name is blocked for content, choose something different. There is no way to appeal a blocked name or to reserve a name before someone else takes it.

What happens to your old username

When you change your username, your old name becomes available for another player to use. This happens when ready. If you had a rare or popular name and you change it, someone else can claim it within minutes.

Your account history, friends list, and cosmetics stay with your account no matter what name you use. Changing your username does not reset your progress or lose your skins and emotes. Other players can still find you by your account ID or by searching your new name in their friends list.

Troubleshooting: why the change did not work

If you clicked "Save" but the name did not change, check that you are signed into the correct Epic Games account. Some players have multiple accounts linked to the same email address. Make sure you are editing the account you actually play Fortnite on.

If the website says "you cannot change your display name right now," you are still in the 30-day cooldown period. Check the date you last changed your name — you will be able to change it again 30 days after that date. If you changed it very recently and the website is still blocking you, wait a few hours for the servers to sync.

If you signed in through a console and the Epic Games website will not let you edit the display name field, your account is linked to that console's account. You must change the name on the console itself, as described in the section above.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Fortnite username on my phone or console?

You can change it on your phone by opening a web browser and going to www.epicgames.com, then following the same steps as on a computer. If your account is linked to a console, you must change the name through that console's settings instead of the Epic Games website.

What if someone else took my old username after I changed it?

Old usernames become available when ready and cannot be reserved. If someone claimed your old name, you cannot get it back. You can only move forward with a new name. Epic Games does not restore or swap usernames between players.

Does changing my username affect my friends list or my cosmetics?

No. Your friends list, V-Bucks, skins, emotes, and all other account data stay exactly the same. Only the name that appears above your character changes. Your friends can still find you by searching your new name or by looking at their existing friends list.

How long does it take for other players to see my new username?

You see the change when ready. Other players usually see it within a few hours as the servers sync. In rare cases it can take up to 24 hours, but this is uncommon.

Can I change my username back to what it was before?

Only if no one else has claimed it and if you are outside the 30-day cooldown period. If someone else took your old name, you cannot reclaim it. If you are still in the cooldown, you have to wait until the 30 days are up.