How to Use Island Codes in Fortnite (Map Codes)

To use an island code in Fortnite, select Play in the top-left corner of the lobby, scroll down until the Search bar appears, and type the code exactly as written, including the hyphens. Island codes have 12 digits in three groups of four, like 1234-5678-9012. Pick the island from the results and launch it.

Last checked: November 9, 2026.

What an island code is

Every published island in Fortnite, from creator-made games built in Fortnite Creative to bigger projects made in Unreal Editor for Fortnite (UEFN), gets its own island code. People also call them map codes. The code takes you straight to that island, so you don't have to hunt for it in Discover.

These games are a big part of Fortnite now. Epic estimated in 2026 that Creative and UEFN islands made up about 40% of all player engagement in Fortnite.

What a code looks like

• 12 digits in three groups of four, separated by hyphens: xxxx-xxxx-xxxx.
• Copy it exactly, hyphens included. A single wrong digit takes you to a different island or nothing at all.

How to enter an island code, step by step

The steps are the same on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch and mobile:

1. Launch Fortnite and wait for the lobby to load.
2. Select Play in the top-left corner.
3. Scroll down until the Search bar appears.
4. Type or paste the island code.
5. Select the island from the results.
6. Launch it. If you're in a party, everyone in your party joins the island with you.

The same Search bar also accepts island names, creator codes and custom keys for private matches, so you can use it to look up a creator's other islands too.

If the code doesn't work

• Check the format. Make sure you have all 12 digits and the hyphens in the right places.
• Look for typos. It's easy to swap two digits when you copy a code from a video.
• The island may be gone. Creators can unpublish or update islands, and old code lists are full of dead codes.
• Parental controls can block it. Accounts with content restrictions may not be able to open every island.
• Update the game. After an update, you can't launch anything until you've installed the latest version.

Where to find island codes

• Discover. Fortnite's built-in browser shows creator-made islands in rows, with a thumbnail, title and current player count for each. Open an island's details to see its code.
• The creators themselves. Most creators post their codes on social media, in video descriptions and on their own channels.
• Direct Island Links. Creators can share a link that opens the island directly, so you don't need to type the code.
• Friends. If a friend is already on an island, you can join them from your friends list instead of searching.

Be careful with big "best map codes" lists on random websites. Many are out of date, and some pad their lists with islands that no longer exist.

Unlisted islands

Some islands are published as unlisted. They work like any other island, but they don't show up in Discover or general search results, so the only way in is the exact code or a Direct Island Link. If a creator shares a code for testing or an event, it may be one of these.

Island codes vs Support-a-Creator codes

They're easy to mix up, but they do different things:

A Support-a-Creator code doesn't change what you pay. It only tells Epic which creator to credit for your purchases. Searching a creator's name in the Search bar is also a quick way to find their other islands.

Getting XP from islands

Many people search for island codes to level up. Creative and UEFN islands can award XP that counts toward your account level and Battle Pass, but XP islands are patched often and reported XP rates drop off after a while each day. Our level-up guide explains which methods are safe and what to avoid, and the XP calculator shows how many levels you're short.

For creators: finding your own island code

If you've published an island, its code is shown with the published release in Epic's Creator Portal: open Projects, choose your project and open the release. Both listed and unlisted releases have a public code. Unpublished projects don't have a public code. You can only share them as private playtest codes, which work for the testers you invite.

Staying safe with island codes

• No island can give you free V-Bucks. Islands, codes or websites that promise V-Bucks or rare skins are scams.
• Never type your Epic login into a site that says it will "activate" a map code. Codes only ever go in the game's Search bar.
• Avoid AFK and glitch islands if you're worried about your account. Exploiting XP glitches can put your account at risk.

Frequently asked questions

How do you put in a map code in Fortnite?

Select Play in the top-left corner of the lobby, scroll down to the Search bar, and type the code with its hyphens. Then select the island and launch it.

What do Fortnite island codes look like?

They're 12 digits in three groups of four, separated by hyphens, like 1234-5678-9012. Enter them exactly as written.

Why is my Fortnite island code not working?

Check for typos and missing hyphens first. If the code is correct, the island may have been unpublished, need a game update, or be blocked by your account's parental controls.

Where can I find Fortnite island codes?

Open an island's details in Discover to see its code, or get codes from the creators' own channels. Big code lists on random sites are often out of date.

Can you play Fortnite island codes with friends?

Yes. Invite your friends to your party first, then launch the island, and the party goes in together. You can also join a friend who's already on an island from your friends list.

Is an island code the same as a creator code?

No. An island code opens a specific island, while a Support-a-Creator code credits a creator when you buy items in the Item Shop. Only island codes take you to a game.