Open Facebook and go to your profile picture
Your avatar on Facebook is the small circular photo that appears next to your name in comments, messages, and your profile. To change it, start by opening Facebook on your computer or phone and look for your current profile picture in the top right corner of the screen (on desktop) or in the menu (on mobile).
Click or tap on your profile picture. A menu will appear with several options. Look for the option that says "Profile" or shows a person icon — this takes you to your profile page where your avatar and cover photo are displayed together.
Key Takeaways
- Your Facebook avatar is the circular photo next to your name, and you change it from your profile page by clicking your current picture.
- Facebook lets you upload a new photo from your device, take a photo with your camera, or choose from photos you have already posted.
- The photo you choose as your avatar will appear next to your name across Facebook — in comments, messages, and on your profile.
- You can change your avatar as often as you want, and old versions stay in your photo history if you want to use them again later.
Click on your profile picture to open the photo menu
Once you are on your profile page, look for your current avatar — the circular photo at the top of your profile. Click or tap directly on this photo. A menu will pop up with options for what to do next.
You will see buttons that say "Upload Photo," "Take a Photo," or "Choose from Photos." The exact wording may vary slightly depending on whether you are on a phone or computer, but all three options do the same thing: they let you pick a new image to use as your avatar.
Upload a photo from your device
If you have a photo saved on your computer or phone that you want to use, select "Upload Photo." A window will open showing the files on your device. Navigate to the folder where your photo is saved, click on the image you want, and then click "Open" or "Choose."
Facebook will show you a preview of how the photo will look as your avatar. You can drag the image around or use the zoom slider to adjust which part of the photo appears in the circle. Once you are happy with how it looks, click "Save" or "Confirm" to make it your new avatar.
Take a new photo with your camera
If you want to take a fresh photo instead of uploading an old one, select "Take a Photo." Facebook will ask permission to use your device's camera. Allow it, and your camera app will open.
Take the photo you want to use. Once you have taken it, Facebook will show you a preview and let you adjust the crop and zoom the same way as with an uploaded photo. When you are satisfied, save it to make it your new avatar.
Choose from photos you have already posted
Facebook keeps a record of every photo you have posted to your profile or in albums. If you want to use one of those existing photos as your avatar instead of uploading a new one, select "Choose from Photos." A gallery of your past photos will appear.
Scroll through and click on the photo you want. Facebook will show you a preview with crop and zoom options. Adjust it if needed, then save it. This is useful if you want to go back to an old avatar or use a photo that is already on Facebook without uploading it again.
Common mistakes to avoid when changing your avatar
The most common mistake is uploading a photo that is too small or blurry. Facebook will shrink your avatar to fit the circular frame, so a photo that is at least 400 by 400 pixels works best. If your photo is smaller, it may look pixelated or unclear when Facebook displays it.
Another mistake is not adjusting the crop before saving. When you upload a photo, Facebook shows you a preview with a circular frame. Make sure the part of the photo you want to see is inside that circle — if your face is cut off or mostly background is showing, use the zoom and drag tools to fix it before you save.
Do not worry about changing your avatar too often. You can change it as many times as you want, and Facebook keeps your old photos in your history. If you change your mind later, you can always go back and choose a previous avatar.
What happens after you change your avatar
Once you save your new avatar, it appears when ready next to your name across Facebook. Your friends will see it in comments you make, in messages, and on your profile. The change is when ready — you do not have to wait or refresh the page.
Your old avatar does not disappear. Facebook stores it in your photo history, which you can see by going to your profile and looking at your photos. If you ever want to use an old avatar again, you can choose it from that history without having to re-upload it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a photo that is not of my face as my avatar?
Yes. Facebook does not require your avatar to be a photo of you — it can be anything you want. Many people use photos of pets, artwork, logos, or other images. The only rule is that the image cannot violate Facebook's community standards, which means it cannot contain hate speech, violence, or other prohibited content.
Why does my avatar look different on my phone than on my computer?
Facebook may display your avatar slightly differently depending on the device and screen size. The circular crop might show a different part of the photo on a small phone screen than on a larger computer screen. When you upload, check the preview on the device you use most often to make sure you like how it looks there.
Can I make my avatar private so only certain people see it?
Your avatar is public by default and appears next to your name everywhere on Facebook. You cannot make just your avatar private, but you can control who sees your profile and photos through your privacy settings. Changing those settings affects your whole profile, not just your avatar.
How long does it take for my new avatar to show up everywhere on Facebook?
Your new avatar appears when ready on your profile and in new comments or messages you post. It may take a few minutes to an hour to update everywhere else on Facebook, such as in old comments or in other people's friend lists, but this is usually very fast.
What if I accidentally deleted a photo I want to use as my avatar?
If you deleted a photo from Facebook, it is gone and you cannot choose it from your photo history anymore. However, if you still have the original file on your computer or phone, you can upload it again and use it as your avatar. If the file is also gone from your device, you will need to find another photo to use.