From just eight default characters in 2017 to over 2,550 skins today, Fortnite’s cosmetic library has exploded. Learn how many skins exist right now, what they cost, and the most iconic collaborations that brought them into the game.
There is no game that does collaborations like Fortnite. Epic Games' constant stream of crossovers has created an immense library of skins for players to choose from. But how many skins are in Fortnite?
At its 2017 launch, Fortnite offered just eight default characters - four male and four female. The first paid skin, Recon Expert, was added on Oct. 30, 2017. Since then, skins have been available either through purchases with the in-game currency V-Bucks, or as rewards from Battle Passes and limited-time events.
How many Fortnite skins are there?
There are currently an estimated 2,554 skins in Fortnite as of Sept. 11, 2025 (Fortnite Fandom). This means over 1,000 skins have been added in the last 2 years, in other words 9-10 new skins come to the Fortnite shop every week.
How much do Fortnite skins cost?
Orange variety Fortnite skins are the most expensive, and typically cost 2,000 V-Bucks, around $16. The cheapest skins in the Fortnite Shop are usually around 800 V-Bucks, approximately $6.50.
Typically the best deal is to buy the Battle Pass for 950 V-Bucks ($7.50), as it will come with around 5-6 free skins to unlock, plus a few extra goodies. Any skin purchased will be owned forever, even after the Fortnite season ends. So if you're struggling to pay for a skin or want a parent or family member to buy it for you, consider asking for a BattlePass!
There are currently 8 different categories of skins in Fortnite:
- Default Outfits
- Battle Pass Skins
- Item Shop Skins
- Collaboration / Crossover Skins
- Event / Limited-Time Skins
- Exclusive / Promo Skins
- Progressive / Unlockable Skins
- Special Series
Certain skins can be awarded as gifts. For example at Christmas - or Winterfest as its called in Fortnite - players can open boxes to receive free Fortnite skins! There are also many PlayStation Plus packs that offer unique skins such as Blue Team Leader or Blizzard Bomber.
The different types of Fortnite skins
Skin Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Default Outfits | The free starter characters every player gets at the beginning of the game. |
| Battle Pass Skins | Unlockable skins for Battle Pass owners, usually tied to a specific season. Some may later return to the Item Shop. |
| Item Shop Skins | Purchased directly with V-Bucks from the Fortnite Item Shop. |
| Collaboration / Crossover Skins | Based on pop culture — fictional characters (e.g., Master Chief, Wolverine), celebrities (e.g., Travis Scott, Ariana Grande), or streamers (e.g., Ninja, Clix). |
| Event / Limited-Time Skins | Released for special events like Halloween, Christmas (Winterfest), or in-game concerts. |
| Exclusive / Promo Skins | Bundled with specific hardware or promotions. The Galaxy skin (Samsung exclusive) is the most famous example. |
| Progressive / Unlockable Skins | Skins that evolve as you level up or complete challenges (e.g., Omega from Chapter 1 Season 4, Ragnarok from Chapter 1 Season 5). |
| Special Series | Alternate themed versions of existing Fortnite skins, such as Lava, Frozen, Shadow, or Dark variants. |
Major Fortnite collaborations introduce more skins
Over the last few years, Fortnite has begun introducing more and more pop culture to the game. From 2018-2019, to coincide with the finale of the Marvel Infinity Saga in theatres, Epic Games released many Marvel characters as Fortnite Skins. Soon after came the Star Wars skins.
From 2020-2021, Fortnite then began to do musician collabs, such as the much loved Travis Scott concert, still regarded as one of the best in-game events of all time.
After 2022, Epic Games really opened the doors and collabs and crossovers came from everywhere.
Collaborations have included TV shows such as the Walking Dead and Rick and Morty. Anime, such as Naruto, Attack on Titan and Dragon Ball Super. Movies, such as Dune, Free Guy, TRON and Indiana Jones. Plus countless others.
Year | Collaboration | Notable Skins / Events |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Avengers: Infinity War | Thanos LTM, first Marvel crossover. |
| 2019 | Avengers: Endgame, Batman, Stranger Things, Star Wars | Marvel skins, Gotham City POI, Stranger Things portals, Rise of Skywalker event. |
| 2020 | Marvel Season (C2S4), Travis Scott Concert, Mandalorian | Full Marvel Battle Pass, Astronomical concert, Star Wars tie-in. |
| 2021 | Naruto, Ariana Grande Rift Tour, Balenciaga, NBA | First anime collab, major in-game concert, fashion crossover. |
| 2022 | Dragon Ball Super, Spider-Man (No Way Home), Bruno Mars | Dragon Ball event & mythics, Marvel film tie-in, Icon Series music collab. |
| 2023 | Attack on Titan, Eminem Big Bang Event, LEGO Fortnite teaser | Eren Yeager skin, end-of-chapter concert, LEGO mode announced. |
| 2024 | Avatar: The Last Airbender, Jujutsu Kaisen, Nike Airphoria | Aang & elemental powers, anime reruns, branded collab island. |
| 2025 | LEGO Fortnite (full launch), Power Rangers | Ongoing LEGO mode, Rangers + Megazord cosmetics. |
Do you need to buy Fortnite Skins?
No, Fortnite skins are purely for looks and do not give any in-game advantage. Fortnite is a free-to-play game and you will be given a selection of free default skins when you start playing.
However, after a while the temptation is real to get a unique skin, especially if you're sinking hours into the game.
