Where to find the profile picture option
Your profile picture on Facebook lives in the top left corner of your profile page. To change it, go to your profile by clicking your name or the profile icon in the top right corner of Facebook. Once you're on your profile page, look for your current profile picture — it appears as a circular image in the upper left area.
Hover your mouse over the profile picture itself. A camera icon will appear in the bottom right corner of the circle. Click that camera icon, and Facebook will open a menu with your options for updating the image.
Key Takeaways
- Your profile picture is the circular image in the top left of your profile page, and you access the change option by hovering over it and clicking the camera icon.
- You can upload a new photo from your computer, take a photo with your device's camera, or choose an existing photo from your Facebook albums.
- Facebook compresses images, so photos with text or small details may become hard to read — test how your choice looks before confirming.
- Your profile picture is visible to everyone on Facebook unless you change your privacy settings, so consider what image you want people to see.
- You can change your profile picture as often as you want, and Facebook keeps your old pictures in an album you can view later.
Uploading a photo from your computer
After clicking the camera icon, select "Upload Photo" from the menu. Your computer's file browser will open. Navigate to the folder where your photo is saved — usually Pictures, Downloads, or a folder you created for photos. Click the photo you want, then click "Open" at the bottom of the window.
Facebook will show you a preview of how the photo will appear as your profile picture. You can drag the image around within the circle to position it the way you want. Use the plus and minus buttons or the slider to zoom in or out. Once you're happy with how it looks, click "Save" to make it your new profile picture.
Taking a photo with your camera or phone
If you're on a phone or tablet, click the camera icon on your profile picture and select "Take Photo." Facebook will ask permission to use your device's camera. Grant that permission, and the camera app will open. Take your photo, then confirm it. Facebook will show you a preview just as it does with uploaded photos.
On a computer, you can also select "Take Photo" if your computer has a built-in camera or a connected webcam. The same process applies — Facebook opens your camera, you take the shot, and then you preview and save it.
Choosing a photo from your existing albums
Click the camera icon and select "Choose from Photos." Facebook will show you thumbnails of photos you've already uploaded to Facebook. You can scroll through your albums or use the search box to find a specific photo. Click the photo you want, and Facebook will show you a preview of how it will look as your profile picture.
This option is useful if you want to use a photo that's already on Facebook without uploading it again. You can still zoom and position the image before saving, just as you would with a new upload.
Understanding what happens after you save
Once you click "Save," your new profile picture appears when ready on your profile and across Facebook. Your friends will see it in their feeds and on your profile. The change is visible to anyone whose privacy settings allow them to see your profile.
Facebook automatically saves your old profile pictures in an album called "Profile Pictures." You can view this album anytime by going to your profile, clicking "Photos," and looking for the "Profile Pictures" album. This means you can always go back and see what your previous pictures were, though you cannot restore an old one by clicking a button — you would need to upload it again if you wanted to use it.
Adjusting who can see your profile picture
Your profile picture is public by default, meaning anyone on Facebook can see it. If you want to limit who sees it, go to your profile and click the three dots next to your profile picture. Select "Edit Privacy." A menu will appear with options: Public (everyone), Friends, or Only Me.
Keep in mind that even if you set your profile picture to "Only Me," your name and basic profile information remain visible to others — only the image itself is hidden. Also, if you've already shared your profile picture in posts or comments, those individual shares keep their own privacy settings regardless of what you set here.
Troubleshooting common issues
If the camera icon doesn't appear when you hover over your profile picture, make sure you're logged into your own account and viewing your own profile, not someone else's. You can only change your own profile picture. If you're on a phone and the camera icon doesn't show, try refreshing the page or closing and reopening the Facebook app.
If your photo looks blurry or pixelated after you upload it, Facebook may have compressed it. This happens with very large files or photos with lots of fine detail. Try uploading a photo that's at least 400 pixels wide — Facebook works best with images in that range. If text in your photo is hard to read after uploading, the image is probably too small or the text too fine. Test a different photo or a larger version of the same image.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a photo that's not of me as my profile picture?
Yes, you can use any image you want — a pet, a landscape, a logo, or anything else. Facebook has no rule against this. However, keep in mind that your profile picture is how people recognize and find you, so using something that doesn't represent you might confuse your friends or make your profile harder to identify in search results.
What size should my profile picture be?
Facebook accepts photos of any size, but it works best with images at least 400 pixels wide. Smaller images may appear blurry or pixelated. If you're not sure about your photo's size, most phones and cameras produce images large enough. You don't need to resize before uploading.
How often can I change my profile picture?
You can change it as often as you want — there's no limit. Some people change theirs weekly or daily. Each time you change it, the old picture is saved in your Profile Pictures album for you to view later.
Will my old profile picture disappear?
Your old profile picture won't show on your profile anymore, but it stays in your Profile Pictures album. You can view it anytime by going to your Photos and clicking the Profile Pictures album. Only you and people you've given permission to see your photos can view this album.
What if I don't want anyone to see my profile picture?
You can set your profile picture privacy to "Only Me" using the three-dot menu next to your picture. However, your name and basic profile information will still be visible to others — only the image itself will be hidden from their view.