The quickest way to change your cover photo
Open Facebook on a computer or phone, go to your profile, and hover your mouse over the cover photo (or tap it on a phone). A pencil icon or "Edit" button will appear in the bottom right corner of the image. Click or tap it, then choose "Upload Photo" to pick a new image from your device, or "Choose from Photos" to use something already on Facebook. Select your image, adjust the position if needed, and click "Save".
The whole process takes about 30 seconds. On a phone, the steps are identical—tap the cover photo, tap the pencil icon, pick your image, and confirm.
Key Takeaways
- You can change your cover photo from your profile by clicking the pencil icon in the bottom right corner of the current cover photo.
- Facebook lets you upload a new photo from your device or choose one you have already posted to Facebook.
- You can reposition the photo after uploading so the part you want to see is centered and visible.
- Cover photos must be at least 400 pixels wide; Facebook recommends 820 × 312 pixels for the clearest display.
- Only you and people you have not blocked can see your cover photo—it is not private to close friends or custom lists.
Uploading a photo from your computer or phone
When you click "Upload Photo," Facebook opens a file browser. Navigate to the folder where your image is stored, select the file, and click "Open." The photo uploads when ready and appears in a preview window. You can drag the image around to reposition it—this is useful if the photo is taller than Facebook's cover space and you want to show a specific part of it. Once you are happy with the position, click "Save" and the change goes live.
If the photo is too small (less than 400 pixels wide), Facebook will warn you but may still let you use it. The image will look blurry or stretched. It is better to choose a larger photo or resize the original before uploading.
Choosing a photo you have already posted
Click "Choose from Photos" instead of "Upload Photo." Facebook shows your recent photos and albums. You can scroll through, search by album name, or use the search box to find a specific photo. Once you select one, you can reposition it the same way—drag it to center the part you want visible. Click "Save" when you are done.
This option is fast if you have already shared photos to Facebook and want to reuse one. It also saves storage space on your device since the photo is already on Facebook's servers.
Adjusting the position and size of your cover photo
After you upload or choose a photo, Facebook shows a preview with a rectangle overlay representing how the photo will appear on your profile. If your photo is larger than this rectangle, you can click and drag the image to move it left, right, up, or down. This lets you frame the photo so the important part—a face, a landmark, a detail—sits in the visible area.
You cannot resize the photo itself in this step; Facebook crops it to fit the cover space. If you need to change the actual size or proportions of the image, do that in a photo editor before uploading. Facebook's recommended dimensions are 820 pixels wide by 312 pixels tall, which matches the cover space exactly and avoids any cropping.
What happens to your old cover photo
When you replace your cover photo, the old one does not disappear from Facebook. It stays in your photo albums under "Cover Photos" (a hidden album that only you can see). You can go back to it anytime by clicking the pencil icon again and choosing "Choose from Photos," then navigating to the "Cover Photos" album. This is useful if you want to rotate between a few favorite images or restore an old cover later.
If you delete a cover photo from your device after uploading it, the version on Facebook remains. You can still use it as a cover photo in the future.
Cover photo visibility and privacy
Your cover photo is visible to anyone who can see your profile—that includes friends, friends of friends (depending on your privacy settings), and sometimes the public. You cannot limit cover photo visibility to close friends or custom lists the way you can with posts. If you want to keep an image private, do not use it as a cover photo.
People you have blocked cannot see your cover photo or any part of your profile. If you block someone after they have seen your cover photo, they lose access to it when ready.
Troubleshooting common cover photo problems
If the pencil icon does not appear when you hover over your cover photo, you may not be logged in, or you may be viewing someone else's profile. Make sure you are on your own profile page. On a phone, if tapping the cover photo does not show an edit option, try refreshing the page or closing and reopening the Facebook app.
If your photo looks blurry or stretched after you upload it, the image is probably too small. Delete it and choose a larger photo—at least 400 pixels wide, ideally 820 × 312. If the photo is cropped in a way you do not like, reposition it by dragging before saving. If you have already saved it, click the pencil icon again, choose the same photo, and adjust the position.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a video as my cover photo?
No. Facebook cover photos must be still images in JPG, PNG, or GIF format. You can upload a video to your profile separately, but it will not work as a cover photo. If you want moving imagery on your profile, consider using a short video as a regular post instead.
What is the best size for a cover photo?
Facebook recommends 820 pixels wide by 312 pixels tall. This size matches the cover space exactly on desktop and avoids any cropping or stretching. If your photo is a different size, Facebook will crop it to fit, so you may need to reposition it to show the part you want visible.
Can I change my cover photo on the Facebook app?
Yes. The steps are the same on the app as on a computer: tap your cover photo, tap the pencil icon, choose "Upload Photo" or "Choose from Photos," select your image, reposition if needed, and tap "Save." The process works on both iPhone and Android.
Will my friends be notified when I change my cover photo?
No. Changing your cover photo does not send a notification to your friends. However, if your profile is set to public or visible to friends, they may see the change if they visit your profile. It does not appear in their news feed the way a post would.
Can I delete my cover photo without uploading a new one?
Yes. Click the pencil icon on your cover photo and select "Delete." Facebook will remove the cover photo and show a blank space instead. You can add a new one anytime by clicking that blank area and following the upload steps.