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 in with the account connected to your Fortnite profile, and click your account name in the top right corner. Select Account, then General, and you'll see a field labeled Display Name — that's what other players see in-game.

The display name is different from your Epic Games account username. Your account username is what you use to log in; your display name is what appears above your character. You can change your display name without touching your login credentials.

Key Takeaways

  • Change your display name on the Epic Games website under Account > General, not inside Fortnite itself.
  • You can change your display name once every 14 days, and it takes effect when ready across all your games on that account.
  • Your new name must be between 3 and 16 characters, contain only letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores, and cannot match an existing player's name.
  • If your desired name is taken or rejected, the system will tell you why and suggest alternatives.

The 14-day waiting period between changes

Epic Games limits you to one display name change every 14 days. If you just changed your name, you'll see a countdown timer on the Display Name field showing when you can change it again. This applies even if you change it back to your old name — the 14-day clock still runs.

The timer starts the moment you confirm the change, not when you first visit the page. Once the 14 days have passed, the field becomes editable again and you can enter a new name.

Rules for what your new name can be

Your display name must be between 3 and 16 characters long. You can use uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores. Spaces, special characters like @, #, or !, and accented letters are not allowed.

Your name cannot match another player's existing display name exactly. If you try to use a name that's already taken, the system will reject it and show you that it's unavailable. You also cannot use names that Epic Games has flagged as offensive or against their code of conduct — the system will reject these without explanation of which word triggered it, so you'll need to try a different combination.

What happens after you change your name

Your new display name takes effect when ready. It appears in your Fortnite lobby, on your profile, in match results, and on leaderboards. Friends see the new name right away — there's no delay. Your account username (the one you use to log in) does not change, so you'll still sign in the same way.

If you're in the middle of a match when you change your name, you'll see the old name until you restart the game. Restart Fortnite to see your new name in-game.

If your desired name is taken or rejected

When you try to confirm a name that's unavailable, the Epic Games website will tell you the name is taken or invalid. If it's taken, you'll need to choose something different — there's no waitlist or way to reserve a name.

If the name is rejected for content reasons, try removing or changing the word that triggered the filter. Common words that get flagged include slurs, profanity, and references to real people or brands. The system doesn't always explain which part caused the rejection, so experiment with slight variations until one is accepted.

Changing your account username instead

If you want to change the username you use to log in (not your display name), that's a separate process. Go to Account > General on the Epic Games website and look for Username — this is different from Display Name. You can change your account username once every 30 days. The same character rules explore: 3 to 16 characters, letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores only.

Changing your account username does not affect your display name, and vice versa. You can have a login username of "Player123" and a display name of "Player-One" and they work independently.

Troubleshooting common problems

If the Display Name field is grayed out or won't let you type, you're still in your 14-day waiting period. Check the countdown timer below the field to see when you can change it again. You cannot bypass this timer.

If you get an error message when you try to save, make sure your name doesn't contain spaces, special characters, or accented letters. Also verify that the name isn't already taken by searching for it in Fortnite's player search. If the name meets all the rules and still won't save, sign out of the Epic Games website, clear your browser cache, and try again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username back to my old one right away?

No. The 14-day waiting period applies whether you're changing to a new name or reverting to an old one. If you change your name and when ready regret it, you'll have to wait 14 days before you can switch back.

Will my friends see my old name if they're already in a party with me?

No. Your display name updates when ready across all platforms and for all players. Friends in your party will see the new name when ready, though they may need to restart the game client to see it reflected in the lobby.

Can I use special characters like underscores or hyphens?

Yes. Underscores and hyphens are allowed in both your display name and account username. Other special characters like @, #, $, or ! are not permitted.

What if someone else takes the name I want while I'm thinking about it?

Display names are first-come, first-served. If another player claims the name you want, it becomes unavailable and you'll need to choose something else. There's no way to reserve a name or be notified if it becomes available again.

Does changing my display name affect my stats or progress?

No. Your stats, V-Bucks, cosmetics, and all progress remain exactly the same. Changing your name is purely cosmetic and doesn't reset or alter anything about your account.