Fortnite Vending Machine locations explained and how they work

Fortnite Vending Machines were an addition to Epic Games' Battle Royale mode made way back in early 2018, and have undergone some slight revisions in the time since.

Added throughout the map, the various Vending Machine locations allow you to purchase loot from their rotating roster to help keep you topped-up.

The loot and its rarity is random - so don't expect them to shake up the meta too much - but it could come in handy if you have some wood or metal burning a hole in your pocket.

If you're just getting started, our Fortnite Battle Royale tips and tricks can provide some helpful hints.

How Vending Machine locations in Fortnite work

Unlike things you'll need to find for a lot of Fortnite Challenges, the locations of Vending Machines aren't in fixed locations on the map.

Instead, think of them more like chests, which are dropped in predictable locations but won't always appear in the exact same place - or in that palce at all - from game-to-game.

So how do you narrow down the locations of Vending Machines? It's easier said than done, especially given they're quite small and are hard to detect from the Battle Bus, but are visible from a distance if you are scoping them from far away.

Vending Machines tend to spawn most in towns and populated areas, and not in the middle of the wilderness, but there are some exceptions. Here's a communtiy made map from LootLake_info on reddit.

We've attempted to confirm these ourselves with some degree of success (with spawns changing from game to game it's hard to know if these are exactly the same locations they can appear in the new Season 9) so the above map is a good place to start at least, if not a definitive set of locations.

The fact Vending Machines don't spawn in predictable locations should ultimately be a good thing, as they won't affect the meta too much, but can give you a choice of loot if you're in need and manage to find one.

Fortnite Chapter 5 Season 1 is here! It brings a free Lego Insider skin and redemption codes with it, along with a new Victory Umbrella. We've also got pages on new features like Medallions, Weapon Mods, and how to complete a Train Heist. Meanwhile, learn what the best weapons are in the current season, how to get XP fast, and what the best PC settings are to help earn a Victory Crown.

Fortnite Vending Machines explained

Introduced as part of Fortnite's 'Content Updates' initiative - introducing new content without the need for a full scale game update - Vending Machines first appeared through the map to give players the chance to get new loot mid-game.

Previously, vending machines would have a cost: you'd need to give it a certain amount of materials in order to purcase items. The higher the rarity tier of item the more materials it would cost - 400 materials for Epic loot, 500 for Legendary, and so on.

Now, however, they work a little differently: the items available from a Vending Machine are available for free.

It'll still cycle through various options - always at one set tier of rarity, so a purple, Epic-only machine could be one, and so on - and you just have to interact with the machine when it stops on the item you want.

The loot available will cycle through the items on a short timer. To switch between items faster, then hit it with your pickaxe - useful if you're in a hurry.

You can only purchase one item, and then the Vending Machine will disappear, having been 'consumed' by you using it, so choose wisely!