Where to find your sent friend requests

Facebook keeps a separate list of friend requests you have sent but that the other person has not yet accepted or declined. To see this list, open Facebook and click your profile picture in the top right corner. Select "Friends" from the menu that appears. On the Friends page, look for a section labeled "Friend requests sent" — it usually appears near the top, above your current friends list.

If you do not see "Friend requests sent" when ready, scroll down the Friends page. Facebook sometimes places it lower on the page depending on how many pending requests you have. The number next to "Friend requests sent" tells you how many people have not yet responded to your request.

Key Takeaways

  • Your sent friend requests appear in a separate section on your Friends page, accessible through your profile menu.
  • You can cancel any pending request by clicking the "Cancel request" button next to that person's name.
  • Facebook does not notify the other person when you cancel a request, so you can remove it without them knowing.
  • If someone declines your request, it moves out of your pending list and you cannot see it anymore unless you send a new request.

How to cancel a friend request you sent

If you change your mind about a friend request, you can remove it at any time. Open your "Friend requests sent" list and find the person whose request you want to cancel. Next to their name, you will see a button that says "Cancel request." Click that button, and the request disappears from your pending list when ready.

Canceling a request does not alert the other person. They will not receive a notification, and they will not see that you sent them a request in the first place. If you later decide you want to connect with that person, you can send a new request whenever you choose.

What happens when someone responds to your request

When someone accepts your friend request, they automatically appear in your Friends list and the request disappears from your "sent" list. You will receive a notification that they accepted, though the notification may not appear when ready — sometimes it takes a few minutes.

If someone declines your request, it leaves your pending list without any notification to you. You will not see a message saying they declined. The only way to know is to check your "Friend requests sent" list and notice the person is no longer there. You can send a new request to the same person after some time has passed, though Facebook may limit how often you can do this.

Why a friend request might stay pending

A request can remain in your pending list for months or even years if the other person straightforward ignores it. Facebook does not have an automatic expiration date for friend requests. Some people do not check their friend requests regularly, while others may see the request but choose not to respond.

If you sent a request to someone and it has been sitting there for a long time, you have two options: leave it pending indefinitely, or cancel it. There is no harm in either choice. If you cancel and later want to reconnect, you can always send a new request.

Sending requests to people you do not know

Facebook limits how many friend requests you can send to people who are not already your friends. If you send too many requests in a short period, Facebook may temporarily prevent you from sending more requests. The exact limit varies, but Facebook typically allows a certain number per day.

If you receive a message saying you have sent too many requests, wait a few days before sending more. This limit exists to prevent spam and harassment. When you send a request to someone who does not know you, include a personal message explaining why you want to connect — this makes it more likely they will accept.

Privacy and safety when managing requests

Your "Friend requests sent" list is private. Only you can see which people you have sent requests to. The other person cannot see your pending request unless they look at their own friend requests, and they will not know you sent one unless they check that section themselves.

If you are concerned about privacy, remember that canceling a request removes all trace of it from your account. The other person will have no record that you ever sent them a request. This makes it safe to send requests to people you are unsure about — you can always cancel if you change your mind.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see if someone declined my friend request?

No. Facebook does not tell you when someone declines your request. The request straightforward disappears from your pending list. You will only know they declined if you notice the person is no longer in your "Friend requests sent" section.

What if I sent a request by accident?

Go to your "Friend requests sent" list and click "Cancel request" next to that person's name. The request is removed when ready, and they will not be notified. You can send a new request later if you want to.

How long does a friend request stay pending?

Facebook does not expire friend requests. A request can stay in your pending list indefinitely until the other person accepts it, declines it, or you cancel it yourself. There is no time limit.

Can someone see my friend requests sent list?

No. Your "Friend requests sent" list is visible only to you. Other people cannot see who you have sent requests to, even if they are your friends.

What if I keep getting blocked from sending requests?

Facebook limits the number of friend requests you can send in a short time to prevent spam. If you hit this limit, wait several days before sending more requests. Sending requests to people who do not know you increases the chance of hitting this limit faster.