- Fortnite has 8 free skins you can get without spending any V-Bucks as of January 2026.
- Some free skins are only available for a limited time.
- Apart from skins, Fortnite has other free cosmetics like back blings and pickaxes.
Fortnite has one of the biggest libraries of in-game cosmetics out there. While most of the skins, pickaxes, etc., cost players money, there are also plenty of free Fortnite skins. These skins, unlike being a part of the Item Shop, are made available through different means.
We all know Fortnite players love free skins. With the Winterfest 2025 event coming to an end and new cosmetics being added, we have compiled a list of all the free skins you can get in Fortnite in January 2026.
Editor’s Note: This article was last updated on January 13, 2026.
All Fortnite Free Skins in January 2026
As of Chapter 7 Season 1, there are a total of 8 free skins that players can get their hands on without spending any V-Bucks. Out of these 8 skins, 3 are only available for a limited time. This means you have to meet the requirements for the skin before its expiration date, or you will likely lose the chance to acquire it.
| Free skin | How to get | Available until |
|---|---|---|
| Elite Daigo | Place in the top players of a Fortnite Ranked Cup | February 28, 2026 |
| Thrilldiver | Play Fortnite on Mobile in U.S. or EU / Redeem by purchasing a new Vivo Phone | No expiry |
| Explorer Emilie | Link your LEGO and Fortnite accounts | No expiry |
| Trailblazer Tai | Complete LEGO Fortnite Quests | No expiry |
| Mr. Dappermint | Link LEGO and Fortnite accounts | No expiry |
| Felinos | Complete Felinos Ranked Quests. | June 4, 2026 |
| Shinji | Subscribe to PlayStation Plus | No expiry |
| GHOST Monks Outfit | Redeem the Fortnite Gift Card once | December 31, 2026 |
More Free Fortnite Cosmetics in January 2026
Apart from the free skins, Fortnite also offers a variety of other cosmetics that you can earn for free through in-game activities or promotional events. This list details the free rewards, some of which have expiration dates, so please claim them promptly. Here are all the free Fortnite cosmetics to get.
| Type | Item Name | How to Get | Available Until |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glider | Fame ‘Brella | Win a match in Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 1 | March 5, 2026 |
| Glider | Winter ‘Brella | Win a match in Fortnite OG Season 7 | March 18, 2026 |
| Back Bling | Backpack of Cred | Earn 4000 CRED in the South Park Mini Pass | February 5, 2026 |
| Emote | Cheesy Poofs Rocketship | Earn 10000 CRED in the South Park Mini Pass | February 5, 2026 |
| Pickaxe | Terrance and Phillip | Earn 12000 CRED in the South Park Mini Pass | February 5, 2026 |
| Glider | Imaginationland Airship | Collect 6 Memberberries for the South Park Mini Pass | February 5, 2026 |
| Pickaxe | Elite Hunter’s Knife | Place in the top 1 percent in the Silver rank in the Ranked Cup | February 28, 2026 |
| Back Bling | Elite Reality Jet | Place in the top 5 percent in the Bronze rank in the Ranked Cup | February 28, 2026 |
| Glider | Kang and Kodos | Link your Epic Games and MyDisney accounts. | February 28, 2026 |
| Back Bling | Lynx’s Catpack | Page 1 of the Season 7 OG Pass. | March 18, 2026 |
| Emote | Boogie Down | Enable Fortnite 2FA | No expiry |
| Glider | Blitz Brella | Get 3 wins in Blitz Royale | No expiry |
| Back Bling | Sir Beurre Croissant | Sign up for Epic Games surveys | No expiry |
| Wrap | Post that! | Share Postparty clip | No expiry |
How to Unlock Free Skins in Fortnite
While Epic Games would rarely give out free skins earlier in Fortnite’s history, they have changed this practice over the years. You can now acquire free Fortnite skins through various methods. Some of the methods are listed below:
- Tournaments: Epic Games holds tournaments where top performers win free skins. This includes recent examples like the Kim Kardashian Icon Cup.
- Events & Quests: Special events often offer exclusive quests with free cosmetic rewards. The Winterfest event grants two free skins each year!
- Giveaways: While Epic rarely releases free skin codes, look for online giveaways. This can include the new MyDisney crossover and also the OG Twitch Prime packs that have led to some of the rarest Fortnite skins.
- Fortnite Crew: A Crew membership grants players 1 exclusive skin alongside other benefits on a monthly basis. While Fortnite Crew itself isn’t free, players can get 1,000 V-Bucks every month, which they can then use to purchase other skins from the Item Shop.
And that’s how you can get free skins in Fortnite. Have you claimed them already? Which Fortnite skin is your favorite? Tell us in the comments below!
No, there are many free skins that you can obtain without worrying about an expiration date. Plus, Epic Games continues to do promos and events that can give you a chance to get free skins.
No, not all free Fortnite skins are obtained through challenges. They can also involve linking accounts or other promos as well.
