Where to find the language setting on Facebook
Facebook's language setting lives in your account settings, not in a general preferences menu. The fastest way there is to click the downward arrow in the top right corner of any Facebook page — the one next to your profile picture — then scroll down and select Settings and privacy, then Settings.
Once you're in Settings, look for Language in the left sidebar menu. It's usually near the bottom, below sections like "Personal information" and "Passwords and security". Click it and you'll see a dropdown showing your current language and a list of all available languages Facebook supports in your region.
If you're on the Facebook mobile app instead of a web browser, the path is slightly different: tap the three horizontal lines (called a menu icon) in the bottom right, scroll down to Settings and privacy, tap Settings, then scroll down to find Language.
Key Takeaways
- The language setting is in Settings and privacy > Settings > Language on the web version, or in the menu icon > Settings and privacy > Settings > Language on mobile.
- Facebook will change the language of buttons, menus, and notifications when ready after you select a new language and refresh the page.
- Changing your language setting does not change the language of posts your friends write — those stay in whatever language they posted them in.
- If you don't see your preferred language in the dropdown, Facebook may not support it yet, and you'll need to choose the closest available option.
What happens when you change your language
When you select a new language and confirm the change, Facebook updates the interface language — the buttons, menu labels, and system messages you see — within seconds. You may need to refresh your browser page or close and reopen the mobile app to see the change take effect everywhere.
The content your friends post will not change language. If someone writes a post in Spanish, it will still appear in Spanish on your feed even if you've set Facebook to English. Facebook does offer a translation feature for individual posts (usually a "See translation" link), but that's separate from your account language setting.
Your language choice also affects notifications and emails Facebook sends you. If you set your account to French, the subject lines and body text of emails from Facebook will be in French. This applies to password reset emails, friend request notifications, and event reminders.
Choosing between similar languages
Facebook offers multiple versions of some languages. For example, you might see "English (US)", "English (UK)", and "English (Australia)" as separate options. The differences are usually spelling and phrasing — "colour" versus "color", or "mobile" versus "cell phone" — rather than completely different words.
If you're not sure which version to pick, choose the one that matches where you live or the English variant you're most familiar with. You can always change it again later if the wording feels off. The same principle applies to Spanish (Spain versus Latin America), Portuguese (Brazil versus Portugal), and Chinese (Simplified versus Traditional characters).
If your preferred language isn't listed at all, Facebook may not support it yet. In that case, choose the language that's closest to what you need — often a related regional variant — or stick with English if that's readable for you.
Changing language on a shared or borrowed device
If you're using Facebook on someone else's computer or phone, changing the language will change it for that device's browser or app, not just for your account. When the other person opens Facebook, they'll see it in whatever language you selected.
To avoid this, log out of Facebook completely before you leave, then log back in with your own account on your own device later. If you've already changed the language and can't read the interface, click the downward arrow in the top right (or the menu icon on mobile), look for the gear or settings icon, and select the language option — the dropdown usually appears even if you can't read the label next to it.
Reverting to your original language
If you accidentally selected the wrong language and now the interface is hard to read, the process to fix it is the same as changing it the first time. On the web, click the arrow in the top right corner, then look for the gear icon or "Settings" option. On mobile, tap the three lines and find Settings.
Once you're in the Settings menu, the Language option is usually in the same position regardless of what language the menu is currently displayed in. Click or tap it, find your preferred language in the dropdown, and confirm. The change takes effect when ready.
Languages Facebook supports
Facebook supports over 100 languages, including major languages like Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Arabic, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, and Simplified and Traditional Chinese. It also supports many regional and minority languages, though support varies by region and updates over time.
If you speak a less common language, you can check whether Facebook supports it by opening the language dropdown and scrolling through the full list. The list is alphabetical and usually quite long, so it may take a moment to scroll through. If your language isn't there, you may want to check back periodically, as Facebook occasionally adds new languages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my language affect my privacy settings or who can see my posts?
No. Changing the language only changes how the Facebook interface appears to you. Your privacy settings, who can see your posts, and all your account security remain exactly the same. The change is purely visual.
Can I set different languages for different devices?
Yes. Each device or browser has its own language setting. You can set Facebook to Spanish on your phone and English on your computer, and each will display in its own language when you log in. The setting is tied to the browser or app, not to your account.
What if Facebook is showing me a language I didn't select?
Facebook sometimes defaults to the language your device or browser is set to, which may override your account setting. Check your device's language settings and your browser's language preferences. If those don't match what you want, change them there first, then check Facebook's language setting again.
Does changing my language affect what ads I see?
Not directly. Your language setting doesn't change the ads shown to you. Facebook targets ads based on your location, interests, and browsing history, not on your interface language. However, ads may appear in your selected language if they're available in that language.
Can I use Facebook in multiple languages at the same time?
No. Your account has one language setting that applies to the entire interface. If you need to use multiple languages regularly, you could create separate accounts, but most people find it simpler to stick with one language and use the translation feature for individual posts when needed.