The quickest way to change your cover photo

Open Facebook on your computer or phone and go to your profile. Look for your current cover photo at the top of your profile — it's the wide banner image behind your profile picture. Hover your mouse over it (on computer) or tap it (on phone), and a camera icon will appear. Click or tap that icon, then choose whether to upload a new photo from your device, select one from your existing Facebook photos, or use a photo from another source. Once you pick your image, you can reposition it by dragging, then click "Save" or "Done."

The entire process takes about 30 seconds on either device. Facebook will automatically crop your image to fit the cover photo dimensions, which are 820 pixels wide by 312 pixels tall on desktop and narrower on mobile. If your photo doesn't look right after you upload it, you can adjust where it sits in the frame before saving.

Key Takeaways

  • The camera icon appears when you hover over or tap your current cover photo on your profile.
  • You can upload a new photo, choose from photos already on Facebook, or use a photo from your files.
  • Facebook lets you reposition the image before you save it, so you can control what part shows in the cover frame.
  • Cover photos are visible to anyone who visits your profile, unless you adjust your privacy settings.

Uploading a photo from your computer or phone

Click the camera icon on your cover photo and select "Upload Photo." A file browser will open. Navigate to the folder where your photo is stored, select the image, and click "Open." Facebook will upload the photo and show you a preview of how it will look as your cover.

Before you finalize the change, you'll see a cropping tool. Your photo may be larger or a different shape than Facebook's cover dimensions, so the tool lets you drag the image around to show the part you want visible. Zoom in or out using the slider if you need to adjust the size. Once the framing looks right, click "Save" on desktop or "Done" on mobile.

Choosing from photos you've already posted

If you want to use a photo that's already on your Facebook account, click the camera icon and select "Choose from Photos." Facebook will show you albums of your existing images — your profile pictures, photos you've uploaded, photos you're tagged in, and more. Browse through these albums and click the photo you want to use as your cover.

The same cropping and positioning tool appears after you select an old photo. You can adjust where it sits in the frame just as you would with a new upload. This option is useful if you want to reuse a photo without uploading it again or if you want to try different photos to see which one looks best as a cover.

Adjusting the position and size of your cover photo

After you upload or select a photo, Facebook shows you a preview with a white rectangle overlaid on top — that rectangle represents the actual cover photo frame. Anything outside the rectangle won't be visible. You can drag the photo left, right, up, or down to move it within the frame. On mobile, you may see a zoom slider that lets you make the photo larger or smaller.

Take time to position the photo so the most important part — usually faces or the main subject — sits inside the white frame. If your photo is too small or too large, use the zoom controls to adjust it. Once you're happy with how it looks, save the change. You can always come back and reposition it later if it doesn't look right on your actual profile.

Understanding privacy and who can see your cover photo

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 sees your cover photo, you'll need to adjust your profile privacy settings. Go to your profile, click the three dots next to "Edit Profile," and select "Privacy." From there, you can control who can see your cover photo along with other profile details.

Keep in mind that even if you set your profile to private, your cover photo may still be visible in certain places, such as when someone searches for you or sees you tagged in a photo. If you're concerned about privacy, avoid putting sensitive information or identifying details in your cover photo.

Removing or hiding your cover photo

If you want to remove your cover photo entirely, click the camera icon and look for a "Remove" or "Delete" option. On some versions of Facebook, you'll see a trash icon instead. Clicking this will remove the cover photo, and your profile will display a blank space where the cover used to be.

You can also temporarily hide your cover photo by setting your profile privacy to a very restricted level, though this affects other profile elements too. The simplest approach is to replace it with a plain-colored image or a generic photo if you don't want to remove it completely but prefer something less visible.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

The most common mistake is uploading a photo that's too small or in the wrong shape. Facebook will stretch or crop it to fit, which can make it look blurry or cut off important parts of the image. To avoid this, use a photo that's at least 820 pixels wide. If you're not sure about the dimensions, upload it and use the positioning tool to see how it looks before you save.

Another frequent issue is forgetting to reposition the photo after upload. If your image has a specific focal point — like a person's face — make sure it's centered in the white frame preview. Saving without adjusting the position can result in a cover photo that cuts off the main subject. Finally, remember that cover photos are public by default, so don't use an image with personal information you want to keep private.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Facebook does not allow videos as cover photos. You can only use still images. However, you can upload a video to your profile separately, and some users create a still image from a video frame to use as a cover instead.

What happens to my old cover photo when I upload a new one?

Your old cover photo is replaced when ready. Facebook doesn't keep a history of your cover photos, so if you want to use an old cover again, you'll need to have saved the original image file on your device or be able to find it in your Facebook photo albums.

Why does my cover photo look blurry after I upload it?

This usually means your original image is too small or low resolution. Facebook compresses images to fit its dimensions, and small images become pixelated when enlarged. Use a photo that's at least 820 pixels wide and 312 pixels tall for the best quality.

Can I schedule a cover photo change for a specific date?

Facebook does not have a built-in scheduling feature for cover photos. You have to change it manually each time. If you want to change your cover on a specific date, you'll need to do it yourself when that date arrives.

Does changing my cover photo notify my friends?

No, changing your cover photo does not send a notification to your friends. However, if your profile is set to public, people who visit your profile will see the new cover photo when ready.