Change your Fortnite username through your Epic Games account

Your Fortnite username is tied to your Epic Games account, not to Fortnite itself. This means you change it in one place and it updates across all Epic Games services at once — Fortnite, Rocket League, Fall Guys, and any other game connected to that account. The change takes effect when ready in-game.

You can change your username once every 30 days. If you changed it recently, you will see a countdown timer showing when you can change it again. There is no cost to change your username, and you do not lose any progress, cosmetics, V-Bucks, or battle pass rewards.

The process takes about five minutes and requires you to sign into your Epic Games account from a web browser. You will need the email address and password you use to log into Fortnite.

Key Takeaways

  • Fortnite usernames are managed through Epic Games accounts, so the change applies to all Epic Games titles you play.
  • You can change your username once every 30 days, and the change takes effect when ready in-game.
  • The change happens on the Epic Games website, not inside the Fortnite game itself.
  • Your progress, cosmetics, V-Bucks, and battle pass rewards stay with your account no matter what username you choose.

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

Start by going to www.epicgames.com in your web browser. Click the Sign In button in the top right corner. Enter the email address and password you use for Fortnite, then click Sign In.

Once you are signed in, click your account icon or profile picture in the top right corner. A dropdown menu will appear. Click Account. You will be taken to your account settings page.

On the left side of the page, you will see a menu with several options. Click General. Look for the field labeled Display Name — this is your Fortnite username. Click the pencil icon next to it or click directly in the field to edit it.

Type your new username. Usernames can be 3 to 16 characters long and can include letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores. Spaces are not allowed. As you type, the system will tell you if the name is already taken or if it breaks the naming rules. Once you see a green checkmark, the name is available. Click Save or press Enter.

A confirmation message will appear saying your display name has been updated. The change is live when ready. Close the browser tab or navigate away — you do not need to restart Fortnite for the change to take effect, though you may need to restart the game to see your new name in the lobby.

What characters and words are not allowed

Epic Games blocks usernames that contain profanity, slurs, or hateful language. The system also rejects names that impersonate Epic Games staff, famous people, or other players — for example, you cannot use "EpicGames" or "Ninja" as your username.

Names with only numbers, names that are just repeated characters (like "aaaa"), and names that look like they are trying to scam other players (such as "FreeVBucks" or "OfficialFortnite") will be rejected. If your chosen name is rejected, try a variation: add a number, use an underscore or hyphen, or pick a different name entirely.

If you see an error message that does not explain why your name was rejected, the name likely contains a word or phrase that Epic Games filters automatically. Try removing numbers or special characters and resubmit.

Changing your username on mobile or console

You cannot change your username directly from the Fortnite app on your phone or from your console. You must use a web browser and the Epic Games website. However, once you change it on the website, it will appear on your mobile device and console the next time you log in.

If you are playing on a console like PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch, your console account is linked to your Epic Games account. Changing your Epic Games display name does not change your console username — only your Fortnite name changes. Your friends will see your new Fortnite username in-game, but your console friends list will still show your console username.

If you cannot find the Display Name field

Make sure you are signed into the correct account. If you have multiple Epic Games accounts, you may have signed into the wrong one. Sign out by clicking your profile icon and selecting Sign Out, then sign back in with the email address you use for Fortnite.

If the Display Name field is grayed out or locked, you may have changed your username very recently. Epic Games enforces a 30-day waiting period between changes. Click on the field and you should see a message telling you when you can change it again. If the field is locked for a different reason, try signing out and signing back in, or try a different web browser.

If you still cannot see the Display Name field after signing in and navigating to Account > General, your account may have a restriction. This sometimes happens if your account was flagged for unusual activity. Contact Epic Games support through their website and explain that you cannot access the Display Name field.

What happens to your old username

Once you change your username, your old name becomes available for someone else to use. You cannot reserve it or get it back unless you change your username again and happen to pick it. If you are worried about someone else taking your old name, do not worry — there is no way for another player to claim your exact old username unless you give them access to your account.

Your friends will see your new username the next time they log into Fortnite or refresh their friends list. Old messages and chat history will still show your new username, not your old one. If you were known by your old username in your friend group, let them know you changed it so they do not think you are a different person.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Epic Games limits username changes to once per 30 days. If you change your username and then want to change it again, you will have to wait 30 days from the date of your last change. A countdown timer on the Display Name field will show you exactly when you can change it again.

Will changing my username affect my friends list or my cosmetics?

No. Your friends list, cosmetics, V-Bucks, battle pass progress, and all other account data stay exactly the same. Only your display name changes. Your friends will see your new name, but you will not lose any items or progress.

What if someone else already has the username I want?

The Epic Games website will show you a message saying the name is taken. Try adding a number, underscore, or hyphen to make it unique. For example, if "Shadow" is taken, try "Shadow_1" or "Shadow-Pro". You can also try a completely different name.

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

No. Changing your username does not affect your password or your account security. Your password stays the same, and you log in with the same email address and password as before.

Why does my new username not show up in-game right away?

The change usually takes effect when ready, but sometimes it takes a few minutes to sync across Epic Games servers. If you do not see your new name after a few minutes, try restarting Fortnite completely. Close the game, wait 30 seconds, and launch it again.