You can change your Fortnite username once per year for free through your Epic Games account

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 use the rename tool. Epic Games lets you change your display name once every 12 months without paying. If you want to change it more often than that, you'll need to pay a fee — but the first change each year costs nothing.

The process takes about five minutes and works the same way whether you play on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, or mobile. You don't need to launch Fortnite or change anything in the game itself. Everything happens on the Epic Games website.

Key Takeaways

  • Log into your Epic Games account at www.epicgames.com, not through Fortnite itself, to change your username.
  • Your first username change each year is free; changes after that cost 1,000 V-Bucks (Epic's in-game currency) until the 12-month period resets.
  • The new username takes effect when ready across all games tied to your Epic Games account, including Fortnite, Rocket League, and Fall Guys.
  • You cannot use a username that is already taken, contains certain banned words, or violates Epic's naming policy.
  • If you forget your Epic Games password, you must reset it before you can access account settings to change your username.

Step-by-step: changing your username on the Epic Games website

Start by opening a web browser and going to www.epicgames.com. Click the Sign In button in the top right corner. Enter the email address or username you use for your Epic Games account, then enter your password. If you have two-factor authentication turned on (which Epic recommends), you'll need to enter a code from your authenticator app or email.

Once you're logged in, look for your account icon or profile picture in the top right corner and click it. A dropdown menu will appear. Select Account. On the account page, find the left sidebar menu and click General. You should see a section labeled Display Name with your current username displayed. Click the pencil icon or Edit button next to it.

A text box will open where you can type your new username. Epic Games has rules about what names are allowed: the name must be between 3 and 16 characters, can include letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores, and cannot contain spaces. The system will tell you when ready if the name is already taken or violates the naming policy. Once you've entered a name that works, click Save or Confirm. Your new username is now active.

What happens if you want to change your username again within 12 months

If you try to change your username a second time before 12 months have passed since your last change, the system will show you a message saying the next change costs 1,000 V-Bucks. V-Bucks are the premium currency in Fortnite, and you buy them with real money. The price varies slightly by region, but 1,000 V-Bucks typically costs around $10 USD.

The 12-month timer resets on the anniversary of your last change, not on a calendar year. So if you changed your username on March 15, your next free change becomes available on March 15 of the following year. You can check when your next free change is available by going back to the Display Name section in your account settings — it will show you the date.

Why your username might not save or might be rejected

The most common reason a username won't save is that someone else already has it. Usernames are unique across all of Epic Games' services, so if the name is taken in Fortnite, Rocket League, Fall Guys, or any other Epic game, you can't use it. Try a variation — add a number at the end, use an underscore, or pick a different name entirely.

Epic also blocks usernames that contain profanity, slurs, or references to real people without permission. If you see an error message saying the name violates the naming policy, the system detected something in those categories. Names that impersonate Epic Games staff or famous people are also blocked. If you believe your rejected name doesn't violate the policy, you can contact Epic Games support, but the decision is usually final.

A third reason a change might fail is if you've already used your free change in the current 12-month period and don't have V-Bucks to pay for another one. The system will show you the V-Bucks cost before you confirm, so you'll know before you try.

How the username change affects your game and your friends

Your new username appears in Fortnite when ready after you save it. Your friends will see the new name the next time they log in or refresh their friends list. Your old username is released back into the system and becomes available for someone else to use, though there's usually a short delay before that happens.

Changing your username does not affect your account level, battle pass progress, cosmetics, V-Bucks balance, or anything else in your inventory. All your progress and purchases stay exactly as they are. Your account ID — a number behind the scenes that Epic uses to track your account — never changes, so your friends can still find you even if they don't update your name in their contacts.

If you can't log into your Epic Games account

If you've forgotten your password, you won't be able to access your account settings to change your username. Go to www.epicgames.com and click Sign In. Below the password field, click Forgot your password? Enter the email address associated with your account. Epic will send you a password reset link. Click the link in the email, create a new password, and then log back in to your account.

If you don't have access to the email address tied to your account, you'll need to contact Epic Games support. Go to www.epicgames.com/help and click Contact Us. Explain that you can't access your account email. Epic's support team can help you regain access, but the process may take a few days. Have your account name, the email you're trying to recover, and any information about when you created the account ready when you contact them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username on my phone or console?

No. You must use a web browser and log into www.epicgames.com to change your username. The option is not available in the Fortnite app or in the console settings. You can use any device with a browser — phone, tablet, or computer — as long as you visit the Epic Games website.

Will my friends still be able to find me after I change my username?

Yes. Your account ID never changes, so your friends can still see you in their friends list even if they haven't updated your name. If they search for you by your old username, they won't find you, but if you're already on their friends list, you'll appear with your new name the next time they log in.

What if I change my username and then want to change it back?

You can change it back, but it counts as a second change. If you've already used your one free change in the current 12-month period, changing back to your old name will cost 1,000 V-Bucks. The 12-month timer doesn't reset between changes — it's one free change per year, no matter how many times you change it.

Can I use special characters or emojis in my username?

No. Epic Games only allows letters (A-Z), numbers (0-9), hyphens (-), and underscores (_). Spaces, periods, emojis, and other special characters are not permitted. Your username must also be between 3 and 16 characters long.

Do I need to change my password after I change my username?

No. Changing your username does not affect your password or your account security. Your password stays the same unless you choose to change it separately in your account settings.