The quickest way to change your profile picture

Open Facebook on your computer or phone and go to your profile by clicking your name or profile picture in the top menu. Click the camera icon that appears over your current profile picture — it sits in the bottom right corner of the image. Choose Upload Photo to pick a picture from your device, or Take a Photo if you want to use your camera right now. Select the image, crop it if you want, then click Save.

The whole process takes under a minute. Your new picture appears when ready on your profile and in your comments, posts, and messages. Facebook keeps your old profile pictures in an album called "Profile Pictures" that only you can see unless you change the privacy settings.

If you are on a phone, the steps are the same: tap your profile picture at the bottom of the screen, tap the camera icon over your picture, and choose to upload or take a photo.

Key Takeaways

  • Click the camera icon over your current profile picture and select Upload Photo or Take a Photo to change it.
  • Your new picture shows up when ready across your profile, comments, and messages.
  • Facebook saves all your old profile pictures in a private album you can view anytime.
  • You can crop or adjust your picture before saving it, and you can change it again whenever you want.

Where to find photos to use

You can upload any photo stored on your device — phone, tablet, or computer. Facebook accepts JPG, PNG, GIF, and BMP files. The image should be at least 180 pixels wide and 180 pixels tall, though Facebook recommends 400 by 400 pixels for the clearest result on all screen sizes.

If you do not have a photo ready, you can take one using the camera option built into the upload window. On a phone, this opens your device camera so you can snap a picture right then. On a computer, it uses your webcam if you have one.

You can also use a photo you have already posted to Facebook. When you click the camera icon, select Choose from Photos to browse pictures you have uploaded before or pictures you are tagged in.

Cropping and positioning your picture

After you pick a photo, Facebook shows you a cropping tool. A square frame appears over your image — this is what people will see as your profile picture. Drag the frame to center it on your face, or pinch and drag the corners to zoom in or out. You want your face to fill most of the square without cutting off the top of your head.

Take your time with this step. A well-positioned picture where your face is clear and centered looks much better than a rushed crop. Once you are happy with how it looks, click or tap Save.

What happens to your old profile pictures

Facebook does not delete your old profile pictures. Instead, it stores them in an album called "Profile Pictures" on your profile. Only you can see this album unless you change its privacy settings. You can go back and look at any old picture, and you can even set an old picture as your current profile picture again if you want.

To find your old pictures, go to your profile, click Photos, then click Profile Pictures. You will see every picture you have ever used as your profile picture, with the newest one at the top. Hover over any picture and click the three dots to see options like Make Profile Picture or Delete.

Changing privacy settings for your profile picture

By default, everyone on Facebook can see your profile picture. If you want to limit who sees it, go to your profile and click the camera icon over your picture. Click Edit Profile Picture, then look for the privacy icon — it looks like a globe, a lock, or a group of people depending on your current setting. Click it to choose who can see your picture: Public (everyone), Friends (only your friends), or Only Me (just you).

Keep in mind that your profile picture is usually visible even to people who are not your friends, because it shows up next to your name in comments and posts. Changing the privacy setting limits who can see it on your profile page itself, not everywhere it appears on Facebook.

Troubleshooting common problems

If the camera icon does not appear over your picture, you may not be logged into your own account. Make sure you are viewing your own profile, not someone else's. You cannot change another person's profile picture.

If your photo will not upload, check that the file is in a supported format (JPG, PNG, GIF, or BMP) and that it is smaller than 4 MB. If the file is very large, try opening it in a photo editor and saving it again at a smaller size. If you are on a slow internet connection, wait a few seconds and try again.

If your new picture does not show up right away, refresh the page or close and reopen Facebook. Sometimes it takes a few seconds for the change to appear on all your devices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a picture of someone else as my profile picture?

Yes, you can upload any photo you have permission to use. However, Facebook asks that you use a real photo of yourself so people know who they are talking to. If you use a picture that is not of you, some people may not recognize you or may think you are not being honest about who you are.

What if I want to change my profile picture back to an old one?

Go to your profile, click Photos, then Profile Pictures. Find the old picture you want to use, hover over it, click the three dots, and select Make Profile Picture. It becomes your current picture when ready.

Does changing my profile picture notify my friends?

No, Facebook does not send a notification when you change your profile picture. Your friends will see the new picture the next time they visit your profile or see your name in a comment or post, but they are not alerted that you made a change.

Can I set a video as my profile picture?

No, Facebook profile pictures must be still images. You can use a video as your profile video, which is a separate feature that plays when someone visits your profile, but your main profile picture has to be a photo.

Why does my profile picture look blurry?

The image may be too small or low quality. Facebook works best with photos that are at least 400 by 400 pixels. If your picture is smaller or was taken in low light, it may appear blurry. Try uploading a larger or higher-quality version of the same photo.