Change your username through the Epic Games website

Your Fortnite username lives in your Epic Games account, not in the game itself, so you change it on the Epic Games website rather than inside Fortnite. Go to www.epicgames.com, sign in with the email and password you use for Fortnite, then click your account name in the top right corner and select Account. On the left side, click General, and you will see your current display name listed under "Display Name".

Click the pencil icon next to your display name to edit it. Type your new username — it can be 3 to 16 characters, using letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores. Epic Games checks in real time whether the name is taken, so you will see a green checkmark if it is available or a red X if someone else has it. Once you see the green checkmark, click Save. The change takes effect when ready in Fortnite and across all Epic Games services.

If you have never set a display name before, you may see a field that says "Create Display Name" instead of an edit option. The process is the same — type your new name and click Save.

Key Takeaways

  • You change your Fortnite username on the Epic Games website by signing in, going to Account > General, and clicking the pencil icon next to Display Name.
  • Your new username must be 3 to 16 characters and can include letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores.
  • The Epic Games website shows you when ready whether a username is taken, so you can try different options without waiting.
  • Your new username appears in Fortnite and all other Epic Games services within seconds of saving.

What happens to your old username

When you change your display name, your old username becomes available for someone else to use. Other players will see your new name in matches and on your profile, but your account history, cosmetics, and battle pass progress stay with your account. Friends who had you added will still see you on their friends list under your new name.

If you change your mind, you can change your username again by following the same steps. There is no limit to how many times you can change it, and there is no waiting period between changes. This means you can experiment with different names until you find one you like.

Troubleshooting if the save button does not work

If you click Save and nothing happens, first check that your new username is not already taken — the website should show a red X if it is. If the name is available but Save still does not work, try clearing your browser's cache and cookies, then sign out and back in to your Epic Games account. Use a different web browser if the problem continues.

If you see an error message saying your account is not old enough or is restricted, your account may have parental controls enabled or may be too new. Accounts created very recently sometimes have a waiting period before you can change the display name. Wait a few days and try again, or contact Epic Games support through their website if the restriction persists.

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 use a web browser and the Epic Games website to make the change.

Once you change your username on the website, it updates everywhere — your console, phone, and PC will all show your new name the next time you launch Fortnite. You do not need to do anything on those devices; the change syncs automatically through your Epic Games account.

The difference between display name and account email

Your display name is what other players see in the game. Your account email is the login address you use to sign in to Epic Games — this does not change when you update your display name. If you want to change the email address tied to your account, that is a separate process done in the same Account > General section, but it requires you to verify the new email address before the change takes effect.

Changing your email address is different from changing your username and takes longer because Epic Games sends a confirmation link to both your old and new email addresses. Your display name change, by contrast, happens when ready.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. You can change your username as many times as you want with no waiting period. However, if someone else has claimed your old username in the meantime, you will not be able to use it again unless they change theirs first.

Will my friends still see me if I change my username?

Yes. Friends who have you added will see your new username on their friends list and in matches. Your account stays the same — only the name displayed changes.

Does changing my username affect my cosmetics or battle pass?

No. Your skins, emotes, battle pass progress, and all other cosmetics stay with your account. Changing your username is purely cosmetic and does not affect anything you own or your account history.

What if the username I want is taken?

Try a variation — add a number, underscore, or hyphen to make it unique. The Epic Games website shows you when ready whether a name is available, so you can experiment with different options until you find one that works.

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

It usually appears within seconds. If you are already in a match when you change it, you may need to restart Fortnite or rejoin a lobby to see the new name appear in the game.