Where to find the gender setting on Facebook

Your gender on Facebook lives in your profile settings, not on your profile itself. Go to the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right corner of the Facebook app, or the downward arrow in the top right on a computer. Tap or click Settings & Privacy, then Settings.

From there, scroll down to Personal Information and tap or click Basic Information. You will see a field labeled Gender. This is where you make the change.

Key Takeaways

  • Gender on Facebook is found under Settings & Privacy > Settings > Personal Information > Basic Information, not on your visible profile.
  • You can choose from Facebook's standard options (Male, Female, Custom) or leave the field blank if you prefer not to list a gender.
  • Changes take effect when ready, but you control who sees your gender through privacy settings on the same page.
  • If you change your gender multiple times in a short period, Facebook may temporarily restrict how often you can change it again.
  • Changing your gender on Facebook does not change it on any other platform or service — each site stores this information separately.

What gender options Facebook offers

Facebook gives you three paths. You can select Male or Female from a dropdown menu. You can also choose Custom, which opens a text field where you can type in a gender identity of your choice — for example, non-binary, genderqueer, or any other term that fits you.

If you do not want to list a gender at all, you can leave the field blank. Facebook will not force you to pick something. Your profile will straightforward not display a gender to anyone, including yourself when you view your own profile.

Controlling who sees your gender

Right below the gender field, you will see a privacy icon (usually a circle with a person or a lock symbol). Tap or click it to choose who can see your gender: Public (anyone on or off Facebook), Friends (only people you are friends with), Friends except (everyone except specific people you choose), Specific friends (only certain people), or Only me (no one but you).

The default is usually Friends. If you want your gender hidden from your profile entirely, set it to Only me. This does not delete the information — Facebook still stores it — but no one else will see it on your profile.

What happens after you change your gender

The change takes effect when ready. Your profile will update right away, and anyone with permission to see your gender will see the new one the next time they look at your profile.

Facebook does not send a notification to your friends when you change your gender. It will not appear in your activity log or feed. The change is quiet — only people who visit your profile and have permission to see that field will notice.

If Facebook limits how often you can change it

If you change your gender several times in a short period, Facebook may restrict how often you can change it again. This is a safety measure to prevent account misuse. If you hit this limit, you will see a message telling you to wait before making another change. The waiting period varies, but it is usually a few days to a week.

If you need to change your gender and cannot because of this restriction, you have two options: wait for the restriction to lift, or contact Facebook through the Help Center. Go to Settings & Privacy > Help Center, search for "gender", and look for the option to report a problem with your profile information. Explain your situation, and a person may be able to help you.

Changing your gender on other platforms

Changing your gender on Facebook does not change it anywhere else. Instagram, TikTok, Google, Microsoft, your email provider, your bank, your employer — all of these keep their own separate records. You will need to update your gender in each place individually if you want it changed across the board.

Some services (like Google) let you change gender in your account settings the same way Facebook does. Others require you to contact customer service or submit a form. Check the settings or help section of each service to find where gender information lives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my gender on Facebook more than once?

Yes, you can change it as many times as you want, but Facebook may slow you down if you change it very frequently in a short time. If you hit a restriction, wait a few days before trying again, or contact Facebook through the Help Center to explain your situation.

Will my friends get a notification when I change my gender?

No. Facebook does not notify your friends or post the change to your feed. Only people who visit your profile and have permission to see your gender information will see the update.

What if I do not want anyone to see my gender?

Set the privacy level to Only me. Your gender will stay in your account, but it will not appear on your profile or be visible to anyone else, including your friends.

Does changing my gender on Facebook change it on Instagram?

Not automatically. Facebook and Instagram are owned by the same company, but they keep separate profile information. You will need to change your gender on Instagram separately through its own settings.

What if I cannot find the gender field in my settings?

Make sure you are in Personal Information > Basic Information, not another section. If the field is still missing, try logging out and back in, or use a different browser or device. If it remains unavailable, contact Facebook through the Help Center.