You can change your Fortnite username through the Epic Games website, and it takes about five minutes

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 online, find the account settings, and update your display name there. The change shows up in Fortnite when ready — you do not need to restart the game or wait for a sync.

You can change your username once every 30 days. If you changed it recently, you will see a countdown timer telling you when you can change it again. There is no cost to change your username, and it does not affect your progress, cosmetics, V-Bucks, or anything else in your account.

Key Takeaways

  • Go to www.epicgames.com, sign in with your account email and password, and click your account name in the top right corner.
  • Select Account, then click Edit next to your display name, type your new username, and click Save.
  • You can change your username once every 30 days, and the change appears in Fortnite right away.
  • Your new username must be between 3 and 16 characters, use only letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores, and cannot be offensive or already taken by another player.
  • If you cannot change your username, check whether 30 days have passed since your last change or whether your new name breaks the naming rules.

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

Open a web browser and go to www.epicgames.com. In the top right corner, click the icon that looks like a person or shows your current username. A menu will drop down. Click Account.

You will land on your account overview page. Look for the section labeled Display Name or Username. Next to it, you will see an Edit button or a pencil icon. Click it. A text box will appear with your current username highlighted. Delete it, type your new username, and click Save. That is all — your new name is now live in Fortnite.

Username rules and what names you cannot use

Your new username must be between 3 and 16 characters long. You can use uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores. You cannot use spaces, special characters like @, #, or !, or emojis. Epic Games will reject your name if it contains profanity, slurs, or hateful language, even if you try to disguise it with numbers or symbols.

Your username also cannot already be taken by another player. If you try to save a name that someone else has, Epic Games will tell you it is unavailable and ask you to pick something different. There is no waiting list or way to reserve a name — if you want it, you have to claim it before anyone else does.

What to do if you cannot change your username

The most common reason you cannot change your username is that you changed it fewer than 30 days ago. When you try to edit your display name, Epic Games will show you a timer saying how many days you have left to wait. You cannot bypass this — you have to wait the full 30 days before you can change it again.

If the timer is not showing and you still cannot save your new name, check that your username follows the rules: it must be 3 to 16 characters, use only letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores, and not contain offensive language. If your name breaks any of these rules, Epic Games will reject it with an error message telling you why. If your name follows all the rules and the 30-day timer is not active, try signing out of your Epic Games account and signing back in, then try again. If the problem persists, contact Epic Games support through their website.

How your username appears in Fortnite and to other players

Your display name is what other players see when you are in a match, in the lobby, or on their friends list. It is also what appears above your head in the game world and in the chat box when you type. If you are in a squad or team, your teammates will see your new name right away — there is no delay.

Your username is separate from your Epic Games account name (your email address). Other players cannot see your email address, and changing your display name does not change your email login. If someone wants to add you as a friend, they search for your display name, not your email.

Changing your username on mobile or console

You cannot change your username directly from the Fortnite app on your phone or from the console version of the game. You have to go through the Epic Games website on a computer or mobile browser. Log in to www.epicgames.com, follow the steps above, and your new name will show up in Fortnite the next time you launch the game on your phone or console.

If you are playing on PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, or mobile, your Fortnite account is linked to your Epic Games account. Changing your display name on the Epic Games website updates it everywhere — you do not need to change anything in the console or mobile settings.

What happens to your old username after you change it

Your old username becomes available for other players to claim as soon as you change it. There is no grace period or hold — if someone else wants your old name, they can take it when ready. If you think you might want to use your old name again later, you should not change your username unless you are sure.

Changing your username does not affect your account history, match statistics, or cosmetics. Your old name will not appear in your match replays or in past chat messages, but your account progression and everything you own stays exactly the same.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Epic Games enforces a 30-day cooldown between username changes. You can see exactly when you will be able to change it again by going to your account settings on the Epic Games website. There is no way to bypass this timer or change it more often.

What if someone else takes my old username after I change mine?

Your old username becomes available when ready and anyone can claim it. If you want to keep using a particular name, do not change it. If you change it and regret it, you cannot get your old name back unless the person who took it changes theirs.

Does changing my username affect my friends list or party?

No. Your friends will still see you on their friends list under your new name. If you are in a party or squad when you change your name, your teammates will see the update right away without needing to restart the game.

Can I use special characters or spaces in my username?

No. You can only use letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores. Spaces, periods, @, #, and other special characters are not allowed. If you try to use them, Epic Games will reject your name and ask you to pick a different one.

What if my new username is rejected and I do not know why?

Epic Games usually tells you the reason — either the name is taken, it breaks the character rules, or it contains offensive language. Check that your name is 3 to 16 characters, uses only letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores, and does not contain profanity or slurs. If it still does not work, contact Epic Games support.