The quickest way to change your Facebook avatar
Your Facebook avatar is the small circular image that appears next to your name in comments, messages, and reactions. To change it, open Facebook on your phone or computer, tap or click your profile picture in the top left or right corner, select "Profile," then tap the camera icon over your current avatar image. Choose a new photo from your phone's gallery, crop it if you want, and tap "Save." The change takes effect when ready across all your Facebook activity.
The process is the same whether you use the Facebook app, Facebook.com on a browser, or Facebook on a tablet. The camera icon appears in the same spot on all versions. If you do not see a camera icon, make sure you are looking at your own profile, not someone else's — you can only change your own avatar.
Key Takeaways
- Your avatar is the small circular photo next to your name, separate from your main profile picture.
- Tap or click the camera icon directly over your current avatar image to upload a new one.
- You can use any photo from your phone, a previously uploaded photo, or take a new one in the moment.
- The new avatar appears when ready in all your comments, messages, and reactions across Facebook.
Where to find the avatar on your profile
Your avatar sits in the upper left area of your profile, below your name and above your cover photo. It is always circular and smaller than your main profile picture. On a phone, scroll to the very top of your profile page — the avatar is the first image you see after your name. On a computer, the avatar appears in the same spot on the left side of your profile header.
The avatar is different from your profile picture. Your profile picture is the larger image that fills most of the top of your profile page. Your avatar is the small version that shows up when you comment on a post, send a message, or react to something. Facebook uses the avatar in tight spaces where a larger image would not fit.
How to upload a photo from your phone or computer
Tap or click the camera icon that appears over your current avatar. A menu will pop up with three options: "Take a Photo," "Choose from Photos," or "Upload Photo." If you want to use a photo already on your device, select "Choose from Photos" on a phone or "Upload Photo" on a computer. Your photo library or file browser will open. Find the image you want and tap or click it to select it.
After you select a photo, Facebook will show you a preview with a square crop box. You can move and resize the crop box to frame the photo the way you want it. Once you are happy with how it looks, tap or click "Save" or "Done." The new avatar will replace your old one within seconds.
Using a photo you have already uploaded to Facebook
If you have already posted a photo to Facebook and want to use it as your avatar, tap or click the camera icon over your current avatar and select "Choose from Photos." Instead of browsing your phone's library, look for the option that says "Your Photos" or "Photos of You" — this shows images you have already uploaded to Facebook. Scroll through and tap or click the one you want to use as your avatar.
This method is useful if you want to use a photo that is already on your profile or in your albums. Facebook will crop it to a circle, so make sure the part of the photo you want visible is in the center of the image.
Taking a new photo as your avatar
If you do not have a photo ready, you can take one on the spot. Tap or click the camera icon over your avatar and select "Take a Photo." Your phone's camera or your computer's webcam will open. Frame yourself the way you want to appear, then tap the shutter button or press the spacebar to take the photo. You will see a preview — if you like it, tap or click "Use Photo." If not, tap "Retake" and try again.
The photo will be cropped to a circle automatically. Make sure your face or the main subject is centered in the frame so nothing important gets cut off at the edges.
What happens after you change your avatar
Your new avatar appears when ready everywhere on Facebook — in your comments, your messages, your reactions, and your profile. Anyone who sees your activity will see the new image right away. You do not need to refresh the page or wait for anything to sync. If you change your avatar again later, the old one disappears and the new one takes its place everywhere at once.
Your avatar change does not affect your main profile picture, your cover photo, or any other images on your profile. Those remain exactly as they were. Only the small circular avatar image updates.
Troubleshooting: camera icon not showing
If you do not see a camera icon over your avatar, check that you are on your own profile, not someone else's. You can only change your own avatar — you cannot change another person's avatar even if you are friends with them. Look for your name at the top of the page to confirm you are in the right place.
If you are on your own profile and still do not see the camera icon, try refreshing the page or closing and reopening the Facebook app. On a phone, swipe down from the top of the screen to refresh. On a computer, press F5 or Ctrl+R (Windows) or Command+R (Mac). If the icon still does not appear, log out and log back in. These steps usually fix the issue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a photo that is not of my face as my avatar?
Yes. Your avatar can be any image — a photo of you, a pet, a landscape, a logo, or anything else. Facebook does not require it to be a photo of your face. The image will be cropped to a circle, so choose something that looks good when framed that way.
Does changing my avatar change my profile picture too?
No. Your avatar and your profile picture are separate. Changing one does not affect the other. Your profile picture is the large image at the top of your profile; your avatar is the small circular image that appears in comments and messages.
How often can I change my avatar?
You can change your avatar as many times as you want, whenever you want. There is no limit on how often you update it. Each time you change it, the new image appears when ready across Facebook.
What size photo works best for an avatar?
Any size photo works — Facebook will crop it to fit the circular avatar shape. Photos that are square or close to square tend to look best because less of the image gets cut off at the edges. Make sure the part you want visible is centered in the frame.
Can I delete my avatar and have no image at all?
No. Facebook requires an avatar. If you do not upload one, Facebook uses a default silhouette or the initials from your name. To change what appears, you must upload a new image using the camera icon.