The quickest way to change your cover photo

Open Facebook on your computer or phone, go to your profile, and click or tap the camera icon that appears in the bottom right corner of your current cover photo. Select Upload Photo to choose an image from your device, or Choose from Photos to pick one you've already posted. Once you've selected the image, you can drag it to position it the way you want, then click Save Changes. The new cover photo appears on your profile when ready.

On a phone, the process is identical — the camera icon sits in the same spot, and the menu options are the same. Facebook stores your cover photo at a standard size (820 pixels wide by 312 pixels tall on desktop), so images that are too small or the wrong shape may look stretched or cut off. You don't have to use a photo you've already uploaded; you can upload a brand new image directly from this menu.

Key Takeaways

  • The camera icon in the bottom right corner of your cover photo is the fastest way to change it on both desktop and mobile.
  • You can upload a new image, choose from photos you've already posted, or select from Facebook's library of cover templates.
  • After you select an image, you can reposition it by dragging before you save, so you control which part of the photo shows.
  • Your cover photo is visible to anyone who visits your profile, unless you've changed your privacy settings to limit who can see it.

Using Facebook's cover photo templates

If you don't have a photo ready, Facebook offers built-in cover templates you can use instead. When you click the camera icon, select Choose from Photos, then scroll down past your uploaded photos to find the Frames or Templates section. These include seasonal designs, solid colors, and branded templates for holidays or causes. You can customize most templates by changing the text or colors before you save.

Templates are a quick option if you want to change your cover without hunting for a new photo. They update seasonally, so new options appear around holidays and special events. If you use a template and later want to go back to a photo, you can change it again using the same camera icon — there's no limit to how many times you can swap your cover photo.

Positioning your cover photo so it looks right

After you choose an image, Facebook shows you a preview with a rectangle outline that represents how much of the photo will actually show on your profile. You can drag the image inside this rectangle to move it around and decide which part is visible. This is especially important if your photo has a subject (like a person or object) that you want centered — dragging lets you make sure that subject isn't cut off at the edges.

The positioning tool works the same way on desktop and mobile. Take a moment to preview how the photo looks before you click Save Changes, because once you save, the positioning is locked in. If you change your mind later, you can always re-upload the same photo and reposition it differently.

Changing privacy settings for your cover photo

By default, your cover photo is visible to anyone who visits your profile, including people who aren't your Facebook friends. If you want to limit who can see it, go to your profile, click the three dots next to your cover photo, and select Edit Privacy. You can then choose Public (everyone sees it), Friends (only your friends see it), or Only Me (only you see it).

Keep in mind that changing the privacy setting for your cover photo doesn't change the privacy of your profile itself — it only controls who can see that specific image. Your profile picture, bio, and other information follow their own privacy rules. If you want to make your entire profile more private, you'll need to adjust those settings separately in your privacy settings menu.

Removing your cover photo entirely

If you want to delete your cover photo and go back to Facebook's default blank cover, click the camera icon on your current cover, then look for a Delete or Remove option. Not all versions of Facebook show this option in the same place — on some devices it appears as a trash icon, on others as a menu option. If you don't see a delete button, you can also upload a solid-color image (like a white or gray rectangle) as a temporary workaround.

Removing your cover photo doesn't affect any other part of your profile. Your profile picture, posts, and friends list all stay exactly as they are. You can add a new cover photo back at any time using the same camera icon.

Troubleshooting cover photo problems

If your cover photo looks blurry, stretched, or cut off in unexpected ways, the image size is usually the cause. Facebook works best with images that are at least 820 pixels wide and 312 pixels tall. If your image is smaller, Facebook stretches it to fit, which can make it look fuzzy. Before you upload, check the image dimensions on your device — most phones show this in the photo details or properties.

If the camera icon doesn't appear on your cover photo, you may not have permission to edit your profile (this can happen if you're viewing someone else's profile, or if your account has restrictions). Make sure you're logged into your own account and viewing your own profile. If you're on a mobile device and the icon still doesn't show, try switching to the desktop version of Facebook through your browser's menu, or try again in the Facebook app.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a video as my cover photo instead of a still image?

Facebook doesn't support video cover photos on most profiles. You can only use still images, templates, or frames. If you want to share a video on your profile, you can post it to your timeline instead, where it will play when people visit your profile.

Will my cover photo show up the same way on mobile and desktop?

Your cover photo displays at different sizes depending on the device — it's wider on desktop and narrower on mobile. The positioning tool shows you how it will look on each device, so you can adjust before you save. Test it on both if you want to make sure a specific part of the image is visible everywhere.

What happens to my old cover photos after I change it?

Facebook doesn't keep a history of your cover photos. Once you replace it, the old one is gone from your profile. If you want to keep a record, save the image to your device before you upload a new one. You can always re-upload an old cover photo later if you want to use it again.

Can I change my cover photo if my account is private?

Yes, your account privacy settings don't affect your ability to change your cover photo. You can change it the same way whether your profile is public or private. The privacy setting for the cover photo itself (who can see it) is separate from your overall account privacy.