The quickest way to change your profile picture
Open Facebook and click your profile picture in the top left corner of the screen. Select Profile from the menu that appears. On your profile page, hover over your current profile picture and click the camera icon that shows up in the bottom right corner of the image. Choose Upload Photo to pick a new picture from your device, or Choose Photo to select one you have already posted to Facebook.
The upload takes a few seconds. Once the new picture appears, you can crop it to show only the part you want. Click and drag the corners to adjust the frame, then click Save when you are happy with how it looks. Your new profile picture is now live and visible to everyone who can see your profile.
Key Takeaways
- You can change your profile picture by clicking the camera icon that appears when you hover over your current picture on your profile page.
- Facebook lets you upload a photo from your device or choose one you have already posted to your account.
- You can crop your new picture before saving it, so only the part you want shows as your profile image.
- Your new profile picture appears when ready to people who can see your profile, and Facebook notifies your friends that you changed it.
- You can change your profile picture as often as you want with no limit on how many times per day or week.
Uploading a photo from your computer or phone
When you click Upload Photo, your device opens a file browser. Navigate to the folder where your photos are stored and select the image you want to use. Most people store photos in a Pictures folder or in their phone's camera roll. Click Open or Choose (the button name depends on your device) and Facebook uploads the file.
Facebook accepts JPG, PNG, and GIF files. The photo does not have to be a certain size, but Facebook works best with images that are roughly square or slightly wider than they are tall. If your photo is very wide or very tall, the cropping tool will let you adjust it before you save.
Choosing a photo you have already posted
If you have posted photos to Facebook before, you can use one of those as your profile picture without uploading it again. Click Choose Photo instead of Upload Photo. Facebook shows you albums of photos you have posted, organized by date. Click the photo you want and then crop it the same way you would crop an uploaded image.
This option is useful if you want to use a photo that is already on Facebook but stored on your device as well. It saves time and keeps your profile picture in sync with your photo history.
Cropping your new profile picture
After you upload or choose a photo, Facebook shows you a cropping tool. A square frame appears over your image with handles at the corners and edges. Click and drag these handles to change the size and shape of the frame. Move the frame around by clicking inside it and dragging to position the photo so the part you want is centered in the square.
The square frame shows exactly what will appear as your profile picture. Everything outside the frame will not show. Take your time to get it right, because you can always change it again later. Once the frame is positioned the way you want, click Save to finish.
What happens after you change your profile picture
Your new profile picture appears on your profile page right away. It also shows up next to your name on posts you make, comments you leave, and messages you send. Facebook notifies your friends that you changed your profile picture, and it may appear in their news feed as an update.
The old picture does not disappear. Facebook keeps it in a folder called Profile Pictures in your photos section. You can view all your past profile pictures by going to your profile, clicking Photos, and then clicking the Profile Pictures album. If you want to switch back to an old picture, you can choose it from that album instead of uploading a new one.
Changing your profile picture on the Facebook app
The steps are almost the same on the Facebook mobile app. Tap your profile picture at the bottom of the screen (on iPhone) or the menu icon and then your name (on Android). Tap your profile picture at the top of your profile page. A menu appears with options to take a new photo with your camera, choose one from your phone, or pick one you have already posted to Facebook.
After you choose or upload a photo, the cropping tool works the same way. Pinch and drag to resize and move the frame, then tap Save. The process is faster on mobile because you do not have to navigate to a separate page.
Troubleshooting common problems
If the camera icon does not appear when you hover over your picture, make sure you are on your own profile, not someone else's. You can only change your own profile picture. Also check that you are using an updated version of Facebook or the app — older versions sometimes have bugs that hide the camera icon.
If your photo will not upload, the file may be too large or in a format Facebook does not support. Try converting the image to JPG format using a free tool like Pixlr or Canva, then upload it again. If the upload still fails, try using a different web browser or closing and reopening the Facebook app.
If your new picture looks blurry or cut off, you may have cropped it too tightly or the original photo may be low resolution. A photo that is at least 400 pixels wide and 400 pixels tall will look sharp as a profile picture. If your photo is smaller, it may appear pixelated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can other people see when I change my profile picture?
Yes. Facebook notifies your friends that you changed your profile picture, and the change may show up in their news feed. However, you can control who sees this notification through your privacy settings. Go to your profile, click the three dots next to your name, select Privacy, and adjust who can see your activity.
How many times can I change my profile picture?
You can change your profile picture as many times as you want with no limit. Some people change it daily, others keep the same picture for years. Facebook keeps all your old profile pictures in the Profile Pictures album so you can switch back to any of them anytime.
What size should my profile picture be?
Facebook automatically resizes your photo to fit the profile picture space, so the exact size does not matter. However, photos that are at least 400 pixels wide and 400 pixels tall will look sharp and clear. Smaller photos may appear blurry or pixelated when Facebook enlarges them.
Can I use a photo of someone else as my profile picture?
Technically yes, but Facebook's rules say your profile picture should represent you. If you use someone else's photo and they report it, Facebook may ask you to change it. Using a photo without permission can also violate copyright, depending on where the photo came from.
Why does my profile picture look different on different devices?
Facebook may display your profile picture at different sizes and crops depending on whether you are using a computer, phone, or tablet. The cropping tool shows you what it will look like on most devices, but slight differences can happen. If it looks wrong on one device, you can always re-crop it and save again.