Your Fortnite username changes separately from your Xbox gamertag

Changing your Fortnite username on Xbox requires you to go through Epic Games, not through Xbox settings. Your Xbox gamertag and your Fortnite display name are two different things — you can have one without changing the other. If you want a new name in Fortnite specifically, you log into your Epic Games account online or through the game itself and change it there. The process takes a few minutes and you can do it from any device with internet access.

Epic Games lets you change your Fortnite username once every 30 days at no cost. If you change it and then want to change it again, you have to wait the full month before the option becomes available. After you change it, the new name shows up in Fortnite matches within a few minutes, though it may take longer to update in your friends' lists.

Key Takeaways

  • Log into your Epic Games account at www.epicgames.com, not through Xbox settings, to change your Fortnite username.
  • You can change your Fortnite name once every 30 days for free, and the change takes effect within minutes in-game.
  • Your Xbox gamertag stays the same unless you change it separately through Xbox settings — changing your Fortnite name does not affect your Xbox profile.
  • If you forget your Epic Games password, use the "Forgot Password" link on the Epic Games login page to reset it before you try to change your username.

How to change your username through the Epic Games website

Go to www.epicgames.com and click "Sign In" in the top right corner. Enter the email address and password for your Epic Games account. If your account is linked to your Xbox profile, you may also see an option to sign in with your Xbox account — either method works.

Once you are logged in, click your account name or avatar in the top right corner and select "Account" from the dropdown menu. On the left side of the page, click "General" under the Account section. Find the "Display Name" field — this is your Fortnite username. Click the pencil icon next to it to edit. Type your new username, which can be 3 to 16 characters long and can include letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores. Click "Save" when you are done. The system will confirm the change and show you when you can change it again.

How to change your username inside Fortnite on Xbox

Start Fortnite on your Xbox and wait for the main menu to load. Press the menu button on your controller to open the settings panel, then navigate to "Settings" and select "Account." Look for "Display Name" or "Username" in the account menu. Select it and choose "Change Display Name." You will be taken to the Epic Games website in a browser window on your Xbox.

Log in with your Epic Games credentials if you are not already signed in. Follow the same steps as the website method — find the Display Name field, click the pencil icon, enter your new name, and save. Once you confirm the change, close the browser and return to Fortnite. Your new username should appear the next time you load into a match or return to the lobby.

What usernames are not allowed in Fortnite

Epic Games blocks usernames that contain profanity, slurs, or references to real people's names without permission. Usernames that look like they belong to Epic Games staff, celebrities, or well-known streamers are also rejected. The system checks your name when you submit it and tells you when ready if it violates the rules — you can then try a different name without waiting.

Usernames must be between 3 and 16 characters. Spaces are not allowed, but hyphens and underscores are. If you try to use a name that is already taken by another player, the system will tell you it is unavailable and you will need to pick something else.

Troubleshooting: Your username change is not showing up

If you changed your username but it still shows your old name in Fortnite, restart the game completely. Close Fortnite entirely, wait 10 seconds, and launch it again. The new name should appear in the lobby and in matches. If it still has not updated after restarting, wait a few more minutes — the change can take up to 15 minutes to sync across all servers.

If you see an error message saying you cannot change your username, check whether 30 days have passed since your last change. If you changed your name within the last month, you will have to wait until the 30-day window closes. The exact date you can change it again is shown in your account settings on the Epic Games website.

The difference between your Xbox gamertag and your Fortnite username

Your Xbox gamertag is your identity across all Xbox games and services. Your Fortnite username is only for Fortnite and is managed by Epic Games. Changing one does not affect the other. If you want a different name in Fortnite but want to keep your Xbox gamertag the same, you can do that — just change the Fortnite name through Epic Games and leave your Xbox settings alone.

If you want to change your Xbox gamertag as well, that is a separate process done through Xbox settings on your console or at account.xbox.com. Your friends will see your Xbox gamertag in Xbox menus and your Fortnite username in Fortnite lobbies.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Epic Games allows one free username change every 30 days. If you need to change it again before 30 days have passed, you have to wait until the window opens. The exact date you can change it next is shown in your Epic Games account settings under Display Name.

Will my friends see my new Fortnite username right away?

Your new username appears in Fortnite matches within minutes, but it may take longer to update in your friends' lists — sometimes up to an hour. If a friend does not see your new name when ready, they can restart Fortnite to force the update.

What if someone else took the username I want?

Fortnite usernames are first-come, first-served. If the name you want is taken, you will see an "unavailable" message when you try to claim it. You will need to choose a different name or add numbers, hyphens, or underscores to make it unique.

Do I need to change my username if I want a different Xbox gamertag?

No. Your Xbox gamertag and Fortnite username are separate. You can change your Xbox gamertag through Xbox settings without touching your Fortnite name, or change your Fortnite name without changing your gamertag. They do not affect each other.

What happens if Epic Games rejects my username?

If your chosen username violates Epic Games' rules, you will see an error message explaining why — usually because it contains profanity, a slur, or a celebrity name. You can when ready try a different username without penalty. The 30-day timer only starts after you successfully save a new name.