Change Your Username Through the Epic Games Website

You change your Fortnite username by logging into your Epic Games account on a web browser, not inside the game itself. Go to www.epicgames.com, click the account icon in the top right, and select "Account". From there, click "General" in the left menu, find the "Display Name" field, and type your new username. Click "Save" when you're done. The change takes effect when ready in Fortnite and all other Epic Games titles you play.

Your new username must be between 3 and 16 characters long and can include letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores. Epic Games does not allow spaces or special characters like @, #, or $. If you try to save a name that's already taken, the system will tell you it's unavailable and you'll need to pick something else.

You can change your username once every 30 days. If you changed it recently and want to change it again, you'll see a message telling you when you're may be able to access to make another change. This cooldown prevents people from cycling through names rapidly.

Key Takeaways

  • Log into your Epic Games account at www.epicgames.com and go to Account > General to find your Display Name field.
  • Your new username must be 3 to 16 characters and can include letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores, but not spaces or special characters.
  • The change takes effect when ready in Fortnite and shows up to other players right away.
  • You can change your username once every 30 days, and the system will tell you if you're still in a cooldown period.
  • Your old username becomes available for someone else to claim after you change it.

What Happens to Your Old Username

Once you change your username, your old one goes back into the pool of available names. Another player can claim it when ready. This means if you change from "SniperKing42" to "SniperKing43" and then change your mind, you cannot get "SniperKing42" back unless the person who took it gives it up or changes their own name.

Your friends list, match history, and stats stay attached to your account no matter what username you use. When you change your name, your friends will see the new one, but they don't have to re-add you. The account itself never changes — only the display name does.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

If you see an error message saying "Display Name is invalid", you likely used a character that isn't allowed. Check that you haven't included spaces, @, #, $, or other symbols. Also make sure your new name is at least 3 characters long. If it still doesn't work, try refreshing the page and logging in again.

If the name you want is taken, Epic Games does not have a waitlist or reservation system. You'll need to choose a different variation. Many players add numbers to the end of a name they want — for example, "SniperKing" might be taken, but "SniperKing2024" might be available.

If you're still in your 30-day cooldown, the website will show you the exact date you can change your name again. You cannot bypass this wait time. If you need to change your username urgently, you'll have to wait until the cooldown expires.

Changing Your Username on Mobile or Console

You cannot change your username directly from the Fortnite app on your phone or from the game on PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch. You must use a web browser on a computer or mobile device to go to the Epic Games website. Open any browser, go to www.epicgames.com, and follow the same steps listed above.

After you change your username on the website, it updates everywhere automatically. You don't need to restart the game or log out and back in, though restarting can speed up the change if it doesn't show up right away.

Difference Between Display Name and Account Name

Your Display Name is what other players see in the game — this is what you change through the Epic Games website. Your Account Name (also called your username) is what you use to log in, and it cannot be changed. If you created your account as "john.smith@email.com" or "JohnSmith123", that login name stays the same forever.

This separation matters because you might want to change how you appear in Fortnite without affecting your login credentials. You can have a professional email as your account name and a fun gaming name as your display name.

What You Cannot Change

You cannot change the email address associated with your Epic Games account through the Display Name field. If you need to change your email, go to Account > Email in the same menu where you change your display name. You'll need to verify the new email address before the change takes effect.

You also cannot change your account name (the one you use to log in). If you created your account with "oldname@email.com", that will always be your login. You can only change the display name that shows up in Fortnite.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Your new username appears when ready after you click Save on the Epic Games website. Other players will see it right away in the game. If it doesn't show up within a few minutes, try restarting Fortnite or logging out and back in.

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

Only if no one else has claimed it. Once you change your username, the old one becomes available for anyone to use. If someone took it, you cannot get it back. You can always choose a new variation of the name you liked.

What if someone else is using the username I want?

Epic Games does not hold or reserve usernames. If a name is taken, you'll need to pick something different. Try adding numbers, underscores, or hyphens to create a variation — for example, "SniperKing_2024" or "Sniper-King-42".

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

No. Changing your display name does not affect your password or account security. Your login credentials stay the same. If you want to change your password for security reasons, you can do that separately in the Account menu.

Will my friends still see me on their friends list after I change my name?

Yes. Your friends list is tied to your account, not your username. When you change your display name, your friends will straightforward see the new name next to your account. They don't need to re-add you or do anything on their end.