The fastest 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 — it spans the width of your profile. Click or tap anywhere on that image, and a menu will appear with the option to upload a new photo or choose one you already have. Select your new image, position it if needed, and click Save. The change takes effect when ready and is visible to anyone who visits your profile.
On mobile, the process is identical: tap your cover photo, choose Upload Photo or Select Photo, pick your image, and confirm. Facebook stores your old cover photos, so you can swap back to a previous one without re-uploading.
Key Takeaways
- Your cover photo is the wide banner at the top of your profile, and you change it by clicking directly on the image itself.
- Facebook accepts JPG, PNG, and GIF files, and recommends a size of 820 by 312 pixels for the best appearance on desktop.
- You can upload a new photo, choose one from your existing albums, or use a photo someone else has tagged you in.
- Only you can change your own cover photo — others cannot do it for you, even if they are administrators of a page you manage.
Where to find the upload button on desktop
On a computer, navigate to your profile by clicking your name in the top left corner of Facebook. Your cover photo appears below your profile picture. Hover your mouse over the cover image and you will see a camera icon with the words "Update Cover Photo" appear in the bottom right corner of the image. Click that icon to open the upload menu.
If you do not see the camera icon, make sure you are logged into the account that owns the profile. You cannot change someone else's cover photo, and the icon only shows when you have permission to edit.
Uploading a new photo versus choosing an existing one
When you click the camera icon, Facebook gives you two main options. "Upload Photo" lets you select an image from your computer or phone that you have not yet posted to Facebook. "Choose from Photos" shows albums you have already created, photos you have been tagged in, and photos your friends have shared with you.
Uploading a new image takes a few seconds longer because Facebook has to process the file, but it gives you the most control over what appears. Choosing an existing photo is faster and pulls directly from your Facebook library. Either way, you can adjust the position of the image before saving — drag it up or down to frame it the way you want.
Image size and format requirements
Facebook works with JPG, PNG, and GIF files. The platform automatically resizes your image, but it looks sharpest if you start with a photo that is at least 820 pixels wide and 312 pixels tall. If your image is smaller, Facebook will stretch it, which can make it look blurry on desktop screens.
Most phones take photos that are large enough, and most images you find online will work. If you are using a screenshot or a very small image, consider finding a larger version first. You can check an image's size by right-clicking it on your computer and selecting Properties (Windows) or Get Info (Mac).
Removing your cover photo entirely
If you want to delete your cover photo without replacing it, click the camera icon on your current cover image and select "Remove." Your profile will show a blank space where the cover photo was. You can add a new one at any time by clicking that blank area.
Removing your cover photo does not affect your profile picture or any other photos on your profile — it only removes the banner image at the top.
Why your new cover photo is not showing up
If you uploaded a new cover photo and it is not appearing, wait a few minutes for Facebook to process the image. Refresh your browser or close and reopen the app. If the old photo is still there after 10 minutes, try uploading again — sometimes the file fails to save on the first attempt.
Check that you are looking at your own profile, not someone else's. If you are viewing a friend's profile, you will see their cover photo, not yours. Also confirm that you are logged into the correct account — Facebook allows you to manage multiple profiles, and it is straightforward to switch between them by accident.
Cover photo privacy and who can see it
Your cover photo is public by default. Anyone who visits your profile — whether they are your friend or not — will see it. You cannot set privacy controls on the cover photo itself the way you can with individual posts. If you want to limit who sees your profile, you need to adjust your overall profile privacy settings, which affects your entire profile page.
To change who can see your profile, go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then Privacy. From there you can choose whether your profile is visible to friends only, public, or custom groups. Your cover photo will follow whatever setting you choose for your profile.
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. Videos cannot be used as cover photos, though you can post videos to your timeline below your cover image.
What happens to my old cover photos?
Facebook keeps a record of every cover photo you have ever used. Click the camera icon on your current cover photo and select "Choose from Photos" — you will see a section labeled "Cover Photos" showing all your previous ones. You can switch back to any of them without re-uploading.
Can I change my cover photo on the Facebook app?
Yes. The process is the same on mobile as on desktop. Open your profile, tap your cover photo, and select Upload Photo or Choose from Photos. The app handles the upload and positioning the same way the website does.
Does changing my cover photo notify my friends?
No. Changing your cover photo does not send a notification to your friends or create a post on your timeline. Only people who visit your profile will see the new image.
What if the image I want to use is too small?
Facebook will resize it to fit, but the result may look blurry or pixelated. If possible, find a larger version of the image or use a different photo. If you must use a small image, crop it to the correct width-to-height ratio (roughly 2.6 to 1) before uploading so Facebook does not have to stretch it as much.