What you need to do right now

Open Facebook on your computer or phone, go to your profile, and click or tap the camera icon that appears over your current cover photo. Select a new image from your device or Facebook's photo library, position it how you want, and click Save. The whole process takes about two minutes and you can change it as often as you like.

Your cover photo is the large banner image at the top of your profile that appears before your profile picture. It's one of the first things people see when they visit your page, so changing it regularly is a straightforward way to keep your profile looking fresh.

Key Takeaways

  • The camera icon appears directly over your current cover photo when you visit your own profile on either a computer or phone.
  • You can upload a new photo from your device, use a photo you've already posted to Facebook, or choose from Facebook's free photo library.
  • After you select an image, you can drag it around to position which part shows in the cover photo frame before you save.
  • Your cover photo is visible to anyone who visits your profile, so choose an image you're comfortable sharing publicly.

Changing your cover photo on a computer

Go to your Facebook profile by clicking your name or profile picture in the top left corner of Facebook. Once you're on your profile page, look at the top of your page where your cover photo displays. Hover your mouse over the cover photo and you'll see a camera icon appear in the bottom right corner of the image.

Click that camera icon. A menu will pop up with three options: "Upload Photo", "Choose from Photos", or "Search for a Photo". If you want to use a new image from your computer, click "Upload Photo" and select the file. If you want to use a photo you've already posted to Facebook, click "Choose from Photos" and browse your albums. If you want to search Facebook's library of free images, click "Search for a Photo" and type what you're looking for.

Once you've selected your image, a preview window opens. You'll see your photo in the cover frame with a grid overlay. Click and drag the image to position it however you want — move it up, down, left, or right to show the part of the photo you prefer. When the positioning looks right, click the blue "Save" button at the bottom right of the window.

Changing your cover photo on a phone or tablet

Open the Facebook app and tap your profile picture or name at the bottom of the screen (on iPhone) or top left (on Android). This takes you to your profile. Scroll to the top where your cover photo appears and tap the camera icon in the bottom right corner of the cover image.

You'll see the same three options: "Upload Photo", "Choose from Photos", or "Search for a Photo". Tap "Upload Photo" to choose a new image from your phone's photo library. Tap "Choose from Photos" to use a photo you've already shared on Facebook. Tap "Search for a Photo" to browse Facebook's free image collection.

After you select an image, you can drag it around on your screen to position it. The preview shows you exactly how it will look as your cover photo. Once you're happy with the positioning, tap the blue "Save" button. On some phones this button appears at the bottom of the screen; on others you may need to scroll down slightly to see it.

Choosing the right image for your cover photo

Your cover photo is visible to anyone who visits your profile, including people who aren't your friends. Think about what image represents you or matches your interests. Many people use landscape photos, travel pictures, photos of hobbies, or images that reflect their personality. Avoid photos that contain personal information like your address, phone number, or financial details.

The cover photo frame is wider than it is tall — roughly 16 to 9 in proportion. If you use a photo that's very tall and narrow, important parts might get cut off on the sides. If you use a photo that's very wide and short, it might look stretched. Photos that are already landscape-oriented (wider than they are tall) usually work best.

Remember that your cover photo changes whenever you want. You're not locked into one image, so don't overthink the choice. You can change it again tomorrow if you want something different.

What happens after you save your new cover photo

Your new cover photo appears on your profile when ready. Anyone who visits your profile will see the new image right away. Your friends will also see the change in their News Feed — Facebook automatically posts a small notification that you've updated your cover photo, similar to how it announces other profile changes.

If you change your mind about the new cover photo, you can replace it the same way you just did. Click or tap the camera icon again and select a different image. There's no limit to how many times you can change your cover photo, and no penalty for changing it frequently.

Troubleshooting common problems

If the camera icon doesn't appear when you hover over your cover photo on a computer, make sure you're logged into your own account and viewing your own profile, not someone else's. You can only change the cover photo on your own profile. If you're on someone else's profile, you won't see the camera icon.

If your image looks blurry or pixelated after you save it, the original file may have been too small. Facebook works best with images that are at least 820 pixels wide. If you're uploading a photo from your phone, this usually isn't a problem — phone cameras take large enough photos. If you're uploading a very old or small image file, try a different photo.

If the positioning doesn't look right after you save, go back and click the camera icon again. You can reposition the same image without uploading it again by choosing "Choose from Photos" and selecting the cover photo you just uploaded. Adjust the position and save again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can other people change my cover photo?

No. Only you can change your own cover photo. Other people cannot modify your profile photo, cover photo, or any other part of your profile without your permission. If someone else's account is changing your cover photo, your account may have been compromised — change your password when ready and review your login activity in Settings.

What size should my cover photo be?

Facebook automatically resizes your image to fit the cover photo frame, so you don't need to resize it yourself. However, images that are at least 820 pixels wide and 312 pixels tall will display clearly without becoming blurry. Most photos from modern phones and cameras are large enough.

Can I use a video as my cover photo?

No, cover photos must be still images. You can only upload JPG or PNG files. However, you can create a short video and post it to your profile separately if you want video content visible on your page.

Will my cover photo show up on my friends' News Feeds?

Yes. When you change your cover photo, Facebook posts a notification in your friends' News Feeds that says you've updated your cover photo. They can click that notification to see your profile and the new image.

Can I make my cover photo private so only certain people see it?

No. Your cover photo displays to anyone who visits your profile, regardless of their privacy settings with you. If you want to keep an image completely private, don't use it as your cover photo — post it to your profile with a custom privacy setting instead, or keep it in a private album.