The quickest way to change your cover photo

Open Facebook and go to your profile. Look at the top of your profile where your current cover photo sits. Hover your mouse over the cover photo itself — a camera icon will appear in the bottom right corner of the image. Click that camera icon, and Facebook will show you two options: Upload Photo or Choose from Photos.

If you want to use a photo you already have on your computer, click Upload Photo and select the file. If you want to use a photo you've already posted to Facebook, click Choose from Photos and browse your albums. Once you pick your image, Facebook will let you crop and position it before you save.

On a phone or tablet, the process is nearly identical. Open the Facebook app, go to your profile, tap the camera icon on your cover photo, and choose whether to upload a new photo or pick one from your existing photos.

Key Takeaways

  • The camera icon appears when you hover over your cover photo on desktop, or tap it on mobile — this is your entry point to change it.
  • You can upload a new photo from your device or reuse a photo already on Facebook by choosing Choose from Photos.
  • Facebook will show you a crop tool so you can position the image the way you want before saving.
  • Cover photos must be at least 400 pixels wide and 150 pixels tall, though Facebook recommends 820 by 312 pixels for the clearest result.
  • You can change your cover photo as often as you want — there is no limit to how many times you update it.

Using the upload option for new photos

When you click Upload Photo, your device's file browser opens. Navigate to the folder where your photo is saved and select it. Facebook will then display the image in a preview window with a crop box overlaid on top.

The crop box is a rectangle you can drag and resize to frame the part of the photo you want to show. You can also click and drag the photo itself to move it around inside the crop box. Once you're happy with how it looks, click Save at the bottom of the screen. Facebook will process the image and set it as your new cover photo within seconds.

Choosing from photos you've already posted

If you select Choose from Photos, Facebook shows you a grid of images from your albums — your profile pictures, photos you've uploaded, and photos others have tagged you in. You can scroll through these or use the search bar at the top to find a specific photo by typing a date or description.

Once you click the photo you want, the same crop tool appears. Position it the way you like and click Save. This option is useful if you want to reuse a photo that's already on Facebook without downloading and re-uploading it.

Adjusting the position and crop after you save

After you save a cover photo, you can still adjust how it's positioned. Hover over the cover photo again and click the camera icon. This time, instead of Upload Photo or Choose from Photos, you'll see an option that says Edit or Reposition (the exact wording varies by device). Click it to open the crop tool again.

You can now move the photo around or resize the crop box without replacing the image entirely. This is helpful if you realize after saving that you want to show a different part of the photo, or if the text or important details in the image aren't positioned the way you want them.

Photo size and format recommendations

Facebook accepts most common image formats: JPG, PNG, GIF, and BMP. The minimum size is 400 pixels wide by 150 pixels tall, but Facebook recommends uploading a photo that is 820 pixels wide by 312 pixels tall. Photos at this size will display clearly on both desktop and mobile without blurring or stretching.

If your photo is smaller than the recommended size, Facebook will still let you use it, but it may look pixelated or blurry on larger screens. If your photo is much larger, Facebook will compress it automatically, which can sometimes reduce quality. Sticking to the recommended dimensions gives you the best result.

Removing your cover photo

If you want to remove your cover photo entirely and go back to a blank background, hover over the cover photo and click the camera icon. Look for an option that says Delete or Remove Photo (usually at the bottom of the menu). Click it, and Facebook will remove the cover photo. Your profile will then show the default light gray background.

You can add a new cover photo at any time by following the same steps. Removing a cover photo does not delete the image from your computer or from Facebook's servers — it only stops displaying it on your profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can other people see when I change my cover photo?

Yes. When you change your cover photo, the change appears on your profile when ready and is visible to anyone who can see your profile. If your profile is public, everyone on Facebook can see the new cover photo. If your profile is private, only your friends can see it.

What if the crop tool won't let me position the photo the way I want?

The crop box has fixed dimensions that match Facebook's cover photo ratio. You can move the photo around inside the box and resize the box itself, but you cannot change the overall shape. If the photo doesn't fit the way you want, try uploading a different image or editing the photo in another program before uploading it to Facebook.

Can I use a video as my cover photo?

No. Facebook cover photos must be still images. You cannot use a video file as a cover photo, though you can post videos to your profile separately. If you want moving content on your profile, post a video to your timeline instead.

Does changing my cover photo affect my profile picture?

No. Your cover photo and profile picture are separate. Changing one does not change the other. Your profile picture is the small circular image that appears next to your name, while your cover photo is the large banner image at the top of your profile.