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 click your account name in the top right corner. Select "Account" from the dropdown menu, then click "General" on the left sidebar. You'll see a field labeled "Display Name" — that's what other players see in-game.

The display name is separate from your Epic Games account name (the email address you use to log in). You can change the display name without touching your login credentials, so your password and two-factor authentication stay exactly as they are.

Key Takeaways

  • Your display name is what shows in-game and is changed on the Epic Games website, not in Fortnite itself.
  • You can change your display name once every 30 days, and the change takes effect when ready across all Epic Games titles you play.
  • Usernames must be between 3 and 16 characters, contain only letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores, and cannot start with a number.
  • If your desired name is taken, you'll see that message when you try to save — there is no waitlist, so you'll need to pick a different one.

Rules for what you can name yourself

Epic Games enforces a few hard limits on display names. Your username must be between 3 and 16 characters long. You can use letters (uppercase and lowercase), numbers, hyphens, and underscores. You cannot use spaces, special characters like @, #, or !, or emojis.

Your username also cannot start with a number. So "2Cool" won't work, but "Cool2" will. Epic Games also blocks names that contain profanity, slurs, or references to real people's names without permission. If you try to save a name that breaks these rules, the website will tell you specifically what's wrong before you submit.

The 30-day waiting period between changes

Once you change your display name, you have to wait 30 days before you can change it again. This applies even if you change it back to your old name — the timer still runs. Epic Games enforces this to prevent people from cycling through names constantly and to reduce confusion in friend lists and match histories.

If you're still within the 30-day window, the Epic Games website will show you exactly how many days are left before you can make another change. There's no way to speed this up or reset the timer early.

What happens to your old username after you change it

When you change your display name, your old name becomes available for someone else to claim when ready. There is no grace period or hold. If you think you might want to go back to an old username later, you should know that another player could take it in the meantime.

Your account history, cosmetics, battle pass progress, and V-Bucks all stay with your account no matter what name you use. Friends who had you added will still see you in their friends list, though your name will update to the new one the next time they log in.

Changing your name across other Epic Games titles

Your Epic Games display name is shared across every game you play through that account — Fortnite, Rocket League, Fall Guys, and any others. When you change your display name on the Epic Games website, it changes everywhere at once. You don't need to change it separately in each game.

If you play Fortnite on console (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch) or mobile, the change still applies to all those platforms because they all use the same Epic Games account behind the scenes.

If your desired username is already taken

When you type a name into the display name field and try to save it, Epic Games checks whether that name is already in use. If it is, you'll see a message saying the name is unavailable. There is no waitlist or reservation system — you straightforward have to choose a different name.

Some players hold onto usernames they no longer actively use, so a taken name might belong to an inactive account. There's no way to contact Epic Games to request a name from someone else or to claim an abandoned account's username. Your only option is to pick something else.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username more than once every 30 days?

No. Epic Games enforces a strict 30-day cooldown between changes. The timer starts the moment you save a new display name, and there is no way to bypass it or request an exception.

Will my friends still see me after I change my name?

Yes. Your friends list connection doesn't break when you change your display name. They'll see your new name the next time they log in, but you'll still be the same person on their friends list with the same match history and stats.

What if I see an error message when I try to change my name?

The most common errors are that the name is already taken, contains forbidden characters, is too short or too long, or includes profanity. Read the error message — it will tell you exactly what's wrong. Fix the issue and try again.

Can I change my username on console or mobile?

No. You must change your display name through the Epic Games website on a computer or phone browser. The option is not available inside the Fortnite game client on any platform.

Does changing my display name affect my login email or password?

No. Your display name and your Epic Games account name (the email you use to log in) are completely separate. Changing one has no effect on the other.