Fortnite Guide

How to Use Custom Crosshair Overlays in Fortnite (2026 Guide)

12 min read Updated: December 2026

Unlike Valorant or CS2, Fortnite doesn't offer built-in crosshair customization. However, PC players can use third-party overlay apps to add custom crosshairs for better visibility and precision. In this comprehensive guide, you'll learn how to set up custom crosshairs in Fortnite and optimize your settings for competitive play, including the new Fortnite Ballistic mode.

Does Fortnite Have Built-in Custom Crosshairs?

Unfortunately, Fortnite does not offer custom crosshair settings that players can adjust in the game. The default reticle changes based on your weapon and cannot be customized for color, size, or shape.

This leaves players with two options:

  • PC Players: Use crosshair design apps like Valo Crosshair Pro to create and export custom crosshairs
  • Console Players: Use a gaming monitor with built-in crosshair overlay features
Good News: The new Fortnite Ballistic mode (tactical shooter mode) has additional crosshair settings that let you control spread and recoil indicators, even though full customization isn't available.

Using Valo Crosshair Pro

Valo Crosshair Pro is the best way to design custom crosshairs for Fortnite. Available on the App Store for iPhone and iPad, this powerful crosshair generator lets you create professional crosshairs and export them for use on any platform.

Valo Crosshair Pro

Design the perfect crosshair for Fortnite with our professional crosshair generator. Create, customize, and export high-quality crosshairs.

  • Pro player crosshair library
  • Advanced customization options
  • Export as PNG for any game
  • Valorant code import/export
Download on App Store

How to Use Valo Crosshair Pro for Fortnite

1

Download the App

Get Valo Crosshair Pro from the App Store on your iPhone or iPad.

2

Design Your Crosshair

Use the powerful crosshair generator to customize:

  • Shape: Cross, dot, circle, or T-style
  • Size: Line length, thickness, and gap
  • Color: Any color with opacity control
  • Outline: Black outline for visibility
  • Center Dot: Optional dot with custom size
3

Browse Pro Crosshairs

Explore crosshairs used by professional Valorant and CS2 players. Copy their settings or use them as a starting point for your design.

4

Export as PNG

Export your crosshair as a transparent PNG image. Transfer it to your PC via AirDrop, email, or cloud storage.

5

Use with Overlay Software

Use your exported crosshair PNG with any screen overlay software on your PC. Many gaming monitors also support custom crosshair images.

Pro Tip: When exporting, choose a high-contrast color like cyan or green that stands out against Fortnite's environments. Add a black outline for visibility on any background.

Fortnite Ballistic Crosshair Settings

Fortnite Ballistic is a tactical shooter mode that plays more like Valorant or CS2. While you can't customize the crosshair appearance, you can optimize its behavior for competitive play.

Recommended Settings

Go to Settings > Game UI > Reticle and configure:

Setting Recommended Why
Show Spread (First Person) OFF Keeps crosshair compact and centered
Show Recoil (First Person) OFF Crosshair stays in center while shooting
Spread Indicator OFF Removes distracting spread visualization
Recoil Indicator OFF Prevents crosshair from following shots
Important: Disabling these settings means you won't see visual feedback for spread and recoil. This is preferred by competitive players but may take adjustment if you're used to dynamic crosshairs.

Why Static Crosshairs Are Better for Ballistic

Professional tactical shooter players prefer static crosshairs because:

  • Consistent aim reference point
  • Less visual distraction
  • Encourages learning spray patterns
  • Better crosshair placement habits
Crosshair Placement Tip: In Ballistic mode, always keep your crosshair at head level and pre-aim common angles. This minimizes the adjustment needed when enemies appear.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Crosshair Not Showing in Game

If your crosshair overlay doesn't appear:

  • Set Fortnite to Fullscreen or Windowed mode
  • Enable DirectX 12 rendering in Fortnite settings
  • Run the overlay app with Administrator rights
  • Check that color mask has non-zero transparency (alpha channel)

Black Box Appearing on Screen

If you see a black box instead of just the crosshair:

  • Update your graphics drivers
  • Ensure the overlay app is updated to the latest version
  • Try restarting the overlay app after launching Fortnite

Crosshair Position Off-Center

If the crosshair doesn't align with your aim:

  • Use the position adjustment feature in your overlay app
  • Save a custom position profile for Fortnite
  • Check your monitor's resolution settings

Best Crosshair Settings Tips

Color Recommendations

  • Green or Cyan: Best visibility on most Fortnite maps
  • Pink/Magenta: Good contrast against natural backgrounds
  • Yellow: Highly visible but can blend with some UI elements
  • Avoid: Dark colors, blue, and brown

Size Guidelines

  • Small crosshairs: Better for precision aiming and headshots
  • Medium crosshairs: Good balance of visibility and accuracy
  • Use outlines: Black outline helps crosshair stand out on any background

Recommended Starter Settings

  • Small to medium cross shape
  • Cyan or green color
  • 1-2px outline thickness
  • Optional center dot for precision

Is Using Crosshair Overlays Safe?

Yes, crosshair overlays are completely safe to use in Fortnite. Here's why:

  • No game file modification: Overlays work as separate applications that display on top of your screen
  • Not detected as cheating: Screen overlays don't interact with the game directly
  • No competitive advantage issues: Custom crosshairs don't affect gameplay mechanics
  • Widely used by pros: Many professional players and streamers use crosshair overlays openly
Warning: Never use applications that inject code into Fortnite's game files. Only use overlay-based solutions that don't interact with the game directly. Modifying game files can result in a permanent ban.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I get banned for using a crosshair overlay?

No. Epic Games has not banned players for using crosshair overlays. These applications don't modify game files and are considered legitimate screen overlays, similar to Discord overlays or streaming software.

Can I use crosshair overlays on console?

Third-party overlay apps don't work on consoles. However, many gaming monitors have built-in crosshair features. Check your monitor's settings for options like "crosshair," "aim point," or "screen assistance."

Does using a crosshair overlay affect FPS?

Minimal impact. Screen overlays are designed to use very few system resources. You shouldn't notice any FPS drop unless you're running on very low-end hardware.

How do I design the best crosshair for Fortnite?

Use Valo Crosshair Pro to design your crosshair. Choose high-contrast colors like cyan or green, add a black outline for visibility, and keep the size small for precision aiming.

Can I export my crosshair as an image?

Yes! Valo Crosshair Pro allows you to export your crosshair design as a transparent PNG image. You can then use this with any screen overlay software on your PC or even on gaming monitors that support custom crosshair images.

Should I disable Fortnite's default crosshair?

It depends on your preference. Some players disable it for a cleaner look, while others keep it on to see bloom/spread indicators alongside their custom crosshair. Test both options in Creative mode.

Conclusion

While Fortnite doesn't offer native crosshair customization, you can easily design a custom crosshair using Valo Crosshair Pro and use it with overlay software on your PC. For Fortnite Ballistic mode, optimizing your reticle settings can give you a competitive edge.

Key takeaways:

  • Use Valo Crosshair Pro to design and export custom crosshairs
  • Disable spread/recoil indicators in Ballistic mode for static crosshairs
  • Choose high-contrast colors like cyan or green
  • Crosshair overlays are safe and won't get you banned

Ready to create your perfect crosshair? Check out our Fortnite overlay library or build your own with our Crosshair Generator!