Where to change your username

You change your Fortnite username through the Epic Games website, not inside the game itself. Go to www.epicgames.com, sign into your account, and navigate to your Account settings. From there, select "General" and you'll see a field labeled "Display Name" — that's what other players see in-game. This is different from your Epic Games account name, which you cannot change.

The Display Name is what matters for Fortnite. It appears above your character, in the lobby, and on your profile. You can change it as often as you want, though Epic Games does enforce a waiting period between changes to prevent abuse — typically 14 days after your last change.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Fortnite username (called Display Name) is changed on the Epic Games website under Account settings, not in the game.
  • You must wait 14 days between username changes, so choose carefully if you've recently made a change.
  • Your Display Name can be up to 16 characters and can include letters, numbers, and underscores.
  • Changing your Display Name does not affect your account security, progress, or cosmetics — everything stays with your account.

Step-by-step instructions for changing your display name

Start by opening a web browser and going to www.epicgames.com. Click the "Sign In" button in the top right corner and enter the email address and password for your Epic Games account. If you use two-factor authentication, you'll need to enter that code as well.

Once you're signed in, click your account name or profile icon in the top right corner and select "Account" from the dropdown menu. On the left side of the page, click "General" under the Account heading. Scroll down until you see the "Display Name" field — this is your current Fortnite username. Click the pencil icon next to it to edit.

Type your new username into the field. Remember that it can be up to 16 characters long and can include letters, numbers, and underscores, but no spaces or special characters like hyphens or periods. Once you've entered your new name, click "Save" and Epic Games will confirm the change. The new name takes effect when ready in Fortnite.

What happens if your desired username is already taken

If the username you want is already in use, the Epic Games website will tell you when ready when you try to save it. You'll see a message saying the name is unavailable. At that point, you have two choices: pick a different name, or add numbers or underscores to make a variation of the name you want.

Many players add numbers to the end of their desired username — for example, if "Shadow" is taken, you might try "Shadow42" or "Shadow_99". Underscores can also go in the middle of a name, like "Shadow_King", which sometimes makes a name available even if the original version is taken.

The 14-day waiting period between changes

Epic Games enforces a 14-day cooldown after each username change. This means if you changed your Display Name today, you cannot change it again for 14 days. The website will show you exactly when you're able to make your next change if you try to change it before the period is up.

This restriction exists to prevent players from constantly switching names to evade reports or confuse other players. If you're unhappy with a name you just chose, you'll need to wait out the 14 days before you can change it again. Plan your username carefully to avoid this situation.

Usernames that may be rejected or changed by Epic Games

Epic Games reserves the right to change or remove usernames that violate their Code of Conduct. Usernames containing hate speech, slurs, explicit sexual content, or references to illegal activity will be flagged. If your username is changed by Epic Games, you'll receive an email notification and will be given a temporary name until you choose a new one.

You're also not allowed to impersonate other players or use usernames that are confusingly similar to famous people or brands. For example, using "Ninja" or "TikTok" as your exact username would likely be removed. Keep your username original and inoffensive to avoid this.

What doesn't change when you update your username

Changing your Display Name does not affect your account in any way beyond how your name appears to other players. Your V-Bucks, skins, battle pass progress, level, stats, and all cosmetics stay exactly as they were. Friends will still see you as the same person — your account ID doesn't change, only the name displayed above your character.

Your login credentials (email and password) remain the same. You don't need to update anything in your game settings or on your console. The next time you launch Fortnite, you'll straightforward see your new name in the lobby.

Changing your username on console or mobile

You cannot change your Display Name directly from the Fortnite game on PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, or mobile devices. You must use the Epic Games website on a computer or phone browser to make the change. However, once you've changed it on the website, it updates across all platforms automatically — you don't need to do anything in the game itself.

If you're playing on console, the easiest approach is to pause the game, open a web browser on your phone or computer, go to epicgames.com, and change your name there. When you return to the game and restart it, your new name will appear.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username more than once?

Yes, you can change your username as many times as you want, but you must wait 14 days between each change. After you change your name, the website will show you the exact date and time when you can change it again.

What's the difference between my Epic Games account name and my Fortnite Display Name?

Your Epic Games account name is the username you use to log in to epicgames.com — you cannot change this. Your Display Name is what other players see in Fortnite, and you can change it whenever you want (after the 14-day wait). Only your Display Name matters in the game.

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

Yes. Your account ID stays the same when you change your Display Name, so your friends will still see you in their friends list and can still invite you to matches. They'll just see your new name instead of your old one.

What if I forgot my Epic Games password?

Click "Forgot your password?" on the Epic Games sign-in page. Enter your email address and Epic Games will send you a password reset link. Click the link in your email, create a new password, and you'll be able to sign in and change your Display Name.

Can I use spaces or special characters in my username?

No. Your Display Name can only contain letters (A–Z), numbers (0–9), and underscores. Spaces, hyphens, periods, and other special characters are not allowed. The system will reject your change if you try to use them.