What you need before you start

Facebook requires three pieces of information to create an account: a real name, an email address or phone number, and your birth date. You do not need to use your legal name — Facebook allows nicknames and stage names as long as you use the name you go by in everyday life. The email or phone number becomes your login credential, so use one you can access right now and will still have access to in the future.

Before you begin, decide which email address you want to use. If you already have a Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, or other email account, that works. If you do not have an email address yet, you can create one for free through Gmail, Outlook, or Yahoo before starting the Facebook process. Using a dedicated email for Facebook — rather than reusing the same email across many accounts — makes it harder for someone who compromises one account to access all your others.

You will also need to choose a password. A strong password is at least 12 characters long and mixes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols (like ! or #). Avoid using your name, birth date, or common words. Write it down somewhere safe, or use a password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password to store it.

Key Takeaways

  • You need a real name (which can be a nickname), an email address or phone number, and your birth date to create a Facebook account.
  • Using a unique email address for Facebook instead of reusing one across multiple accounts reduces the damage if that email is compromised.
  • A strong password contains at least 12 characters and mixes uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
  • After you create your account, Facebook will ask you to confirm your email or phone number before you can use all features.
  • You can adjust privacy settings when ready after setup to control who sees your profile and posts.

Creating your account on Facebook.com or the app

Go to facebook.com in a web browser, or open the Facebook app on your phone. On the web, click the "Create New Facebook Account" button near the bottom right of the login screen. On the app, tap the "Create New Facebook Account" button below the login fields.

Facebook will show you a form with fields for your name, email or phone number, password, and birth date. Fill in each field. For the name field, enter the name you want to appear on your profile — this is what other people will see. For the email or phone field, type the email address or phone number you chose earlier. For the password field, type the strong password you created. For the birth date, enter your actual birth date; Facebook uses this to enforce age restrictions and show you age-appropriate content.

After you fill in all fields, click or tap "Sign Up". Facebook will send a confirmation code to the email address or phone number you provided. Check your email inbox or text messages for a message from Facebook containing a six-digit code. Enter that code into the box Facebook shows you. Once you confirm, your account is created and you can log in.

Setting up your profile and privacy controls

After confirmation, Facebook will ask you to add a profile picture and cover photo. You can skip these steps and add them later, or upload photos now. If you upload a photo, Facebook will ask if it is a photo of you; answer honestly, because Facebook uses this to prevent impersonation.

Next, go to your privacy settings. On the web, click the downward arrow in the top right corner, then click "Settings and privacy" and then "Settings". On the app, tap the three horizontal lines in the bottom right, scroll down to "Settings and privacy", and tap "Settings". Look for the "Privacy" section on the left side of the page.

In Privacy settings, you will see "Who can see your posts?" and "Who can contact you?" By default, Facebook sets these to "Public" or "Friends", which means anyone on Facebook can see your posts or send you messages. If you want more control, change "Who can see your posts?" to "Friends" so only people you have accepted as friends can see what you share. Change "Who can contact you?" to "Friends" as well to reduce unwanted messages from strangers.

Choosing a username and profile web address

Your username is the short name that appears in your Facebook profile URL — for example, facebook.com/yourname. By default, Facebook creates one based on your name, but you can customize it. On the web, go to Settings, then click "Personal information" on the left. Scroll down to "Username" and click "Edit". Type the username you want. Usernames must be at least five characters, can include letters and numbers, and cannot have spaces or special characters.

You can change your username once every 60 days. Choose something you are comfortable with, because other people will use it to find and tag you. Avoid using your full birth date, phone number, or other sensitive information in your username.

Connecting your email and phone number for account recovery

If you forget your password or lose access to your account, Facebook can help you regain it — but only if you have added recovery information. Go to Settings, then click "Personal information". Under "Email addresses" or "Phone numbers", click "Add" and enter a backup email address or phone number. This should be different from the one you used to create your account.

Adding a backup email and phone number takes two minutes and can save you hours of trouble later. If someone hacks your account or you straightforward forget your password, Facebook can send you a recovery code to the backup email or phone number you provided, and you can regain access without contacting Facebook support.

Understanding two-factor authentication

Two-factor authentication (often called 2FA) adds a second security step when you log in. After you enter your password, Facebook sends a code to your phone or email, and you must enter that code before you can access your account. This means that even if someone knows your password, they cannot log in without also having access to your phone or email.

To turn on two-factor authentication, go to Settings, then click "Personal information" on the left. Scroll down to "Two-factor authentication" and click "Edit". Choose whether you want codes sent to your phone via text message or to an authenticator app like Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator. An authenticator app is more find because it does not rely on text messages, which can be intercepted. Follow the on-screen steps to complete setup.

Two-factor authentication is optional, but it is one of the most effective ways to prevent someone else from accessing your account, even if they obtain your password.

What to do after your account is live

Once your account is created and confirmed, take a few minutes to review what information is visible to the public. Go to your profile by clicking your name in the top right corner. Look at what appears on your timeline — your posts, photos, and personal details. Ask yourself: would I be comfortable with a stranger seeing this? If not, delete it or change the privacy setting so only friends can see it.

Do not add your phone number or address to your public profile unless you have a specific reason to do so. These details make it easier for someone to contact you offline or find your home address. If you want close friends to have your phone number, add it to your profile and then change the privacy setting to "Friends only".

Finally, be cautious about friend requests from people you do not know. Scammers and impersonators often create fake accounts to gain access to your information or trick you into sending money. If someone you do not recognize sends you a friend request, check their profile first — do they have a real profile picture, a history of posts, and mutual friends with you? If their profile looks new or suspicious, decline the request.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I create a Facebook account without an email address?

You can use a phone number instead of an email address to create your account. However, having both a phone number and email on file is safer, because if you lose access to your phone, you can still recover your account using email. You can add an email address after you create your account by going to Settings and clicking "Personal information".

What if I want to use a fake name on Facebook?

Facebook requires you to use the name you go by in everyday life, which can be a nickname or stage name. If you use a name that does not match your legal name, Facebook may ask you to confirm it with a photo ID. If you are concerned about privacy, use a nickname you are known by, but do not use a completely fictional name, because Facebook may disable your account.

How do I delete my Facebook account if I change my mind?

You can deactivate your account (which hides it temporarily) or delete it permanently. To deactivate, go to Settings, click "Deactivation and deletion" on the left, and choose "Deactivate account". To permanently delete, choose "Delete account" instead. Permanent deletion takes up to 90 days to complete, and you cannot undo it after that period.

Is it safe to use my real birth date on Facebook?

Facebook requires your real birth date for age verification, but you can hide it from your public profile. After you create your account, go to Settings, click "Personal information", and find "Birth date". Change the privacy setting from "Public" to "Friends only" or "Only me" so only you can see it. This way Facebook has your real birth date for safety reasons, but strangers cannot use it to guess your password or impersonate you.

Can I have more than one Facebook account?

Facebook's rules say each person should have only one personal account. However, you can create a separate business or community page linked to your personal account. If you need a second personal account for a legitimate reason, you can create one, but Facebook may disable both accounts if it detects you are the same person trying to evade rules or hide from someone.