Your username is in your Epic Games account settings, not in Fortnite itself
Your Epic Games username is the name you chose when you created your Epic Games account — it is not the same as your Fortnite display name, and Fortnite does not show it to you in-game. To find it, you log into your Epic Games account on the web, go to Account Settings, and look at the username field. That is the name you use to log in, and it is the name other players see when you send them a friend request or appear in their party.
Many people confuse this with their Fortnite display name (the name that shows above your character in matches), which you can change freely. Your Epic Games username is permanent and cannot be changed once created, so if you are looking for something you can customize in Fortnite, you want your display name instead.
Key Takeaways
- Your Epic Games username is stored in your account settings on the Epic Games website, not visible in the Fortnite game client.
- You log in to Fortnite using your Epic Games username and password, so it is the name you type at the login screen.
- Your Fortnite display name is separate and can be changed anytime in-game; your Epic Games username cannot be changed.
- If you forgot your username, you can recover it using the email address linked to your account on the Epic Games website.
Finding your username through the Epic Games website
Go to www.epicgames.com and click the sign-in button in the top right corner. Enter the email address and password you use for Fortnite. Once you are logged in, click your account icon (usually in the top right) and select Account from the dropdown menu.
On the Account page, click Personal Info on the left sidebar. Your username appears at the top of this page in a field labeled "Display Name" or "Username" — this is the name you use to log in and the name that appears to other players. Write it down or take a screenshot if you need to remember it.
Finding your username if you are already in Fortnite
Open Fortnite and go to the main menu. Click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top left corner, then select Settings. In Settings, click Account on the left side. You will see your Epic Games username listed under "Account Info" or "Profile" — the exact label depends on which version of Fortnite you are playing, but it is always on this page.
This method is faster if you are already in the game, but the information you see is the same as what appears on the Epic Games website. If the setting is grayed out or not visible, log out of Fortnite completely and log back in, then check Settings again.
Recovering a forgotten username
If you do not remember your username, go to www.epicgames.com and click Sign In. Below the password field, click "Need help signing in?" or "Forgot your username?" (the exact wording varies). Enter the email address linked to your Epic Games account.
Epic Games will send a password reset email to that address. Open the email and follow the link. You do not have to reset your password — once you click the link, you can see your username on the page that loads. If you do not see an email within a few minutes, check your spam or junk folder, as password reset emails sometimes get filtered.
The difference between your Epic Games username and your display name
Your Epic Games username is permanent, set when you create your account, and used to log in. Your Fortnite display name is what appears above your character in matches and can be changed anytime in-game. Many players change their display name frequently but keep the same Epic Games username for years.
If someone asks for your "Fortnite name" to add you as a friend, they usually mean your Epic Games username, because that is what they type into the search box to find you. If they ask what name shows in the game, they mean your display name. When in doubt, give them your Epic Games username — that is the one that always works for friend requests.
What to do if your username is already taken
Epic Games usernames are unique — no two accounts can have the same one. If you are creating a new account and your preferred username is taken, you will see an error message during account creation. You can choose a different username, add numbers to the end, or use an underscore or hyphen in the middle (for example, username_1 or user-name).
If you already have an account with a username you dislike, you cannot change it. Your only option is to create a new Epic Games account with a different username and link your Fortnite progress to that account. This is a more involved process and means starting fresh in some games, so most players keep their original username even if they wish they had chosen differently.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my Epic Games username?
No, Epic Games usernames are permanent and cannot be changed after account creation. You can change your Fortnite display name anytime in-game settings, but that is separate from your Epic Games username. If you want a different Epic Games username, you must create a new account.
Is my Epic Games username the same as my email address?
No. Your email address is how you log in if you forget your password, but your username is a separate field you chose during account creation. You can have an email address and a completely different username — for example, your email might be john.smith@gmail.com but your username could be JSmith47.
Why do I need my Epic Games username to add friends?
Your Epic Games username is the unique identifier that Fortnite uses to find your account across all games on the Epic Games platform. Your display name can be the same as someone else's, but your username cannot, so it is the only name that guarantees the right person gets the friend request.
What if I see a different name in my Fortnite profile than on the Epic Games website?
The name in your Fortnite profile is your display name, which you can change in-game. Your Epic Games username (the one you log in with) is what appears on the Epic Games website. Both are correct — they are just two different names for two different purposes.