Where to find your bio and what you can change
Your Instagram bio is the text section that appears directly under your username on your profile. It is the first thing people see when they visit your account, and Instagram lets you change it whenever you want. You can edit your bio from the mobile app or from a web browser on a computer — the steps are slightly different depending on which you use, but both take less than a minute.
The bio section holds up to 150 characters, which is roughly two sentences. You can also add a clickable link in a separate field just below the bio text, and change your profile picture, name, and other details in the same place. Unlike some social media platforms, Instagram does not limit how often you can edit your bio, so you can update it as frequently as you need.
Key Takeaways
- Your bio appears under your username and can be up to 150 characters long, including spaces and line breaks.
- On the mobile app, tap your profile icon, then tap "Edit profile" to reach the bio field.
- On a web browser, go to your profile, click the "Edit profile" button, and scroll to the bio section.
- You can add one clickable link in the "Website" field, which appears as a button above your bio.
- Changes save automatically once you leave the bio field or click the save button, with no confirmation step required.
Editing your bio on the Instagram mobile app
Open Instagram and tap the profile icon at the bottom right of the screen. This takes you to your profile page. At the top, you will see your profile picture, username, and the "Edit profile" button — tap that button.
You will now see a form with several fields. Scroll down until you see the "Bio" field, which is a text box with your current bio text (or empty if you have not set one yet). Tap inside the bio field and delete any existing text, then type your new bio. You can use line breaks by pressing Enter, and Instagram will count your characters as you type.
Below the bio field, you will see the "Website" field. This is where you paste a single URL if you want to direct people to a website, blog, or other link. Paste the full web address (starting with https://) into this field. When you are done editing, scroll to the top of the form and tap the "Done" button, or straightforward navigate away from the page — Instagram saves your changes automatically.
Editing your bio on a web browser
Go to Instagram.com and log in if you are not already logged in. Click your profile icon in the top right corner, then click "Profile" from the dropdown menu. This takes you to your profile page.
Look for the "Edit profile" button, which appears near your profile picture and username. Click it. You will see a form with fields for your name, username, website, bio, and other information. Find the "Bio" field and click inside it to edit your text. You can type or paste your new bio here, and you can use line breaks by pressing Enter.
The "Website" field sits above the bio field. Paste your full web address here if you want to add a clickable link. Once you have finished editing, click the "Submit" button at the bottom of the form. Your changes will save when ready.
What to include in your bio and common mistakes to avoid
Your bio is a small space, so make it count. Many people use it to describe what they do, what they post about, or how to contact them. Others use it to share a link to their business, blog, or another social media account. Since you only have 150 characters, every word matters — avoid long sentences and focus on the most important information.
A common mistake is pasting a link into the bio text itself instead of using the Website field. If you put a URL directly in your bio text, it will not be clickable, and it will take up valuable character space. Always use the Website field for links. Another mistake is forgetting that your bio is public — anyone can see it, so avoid sharing personal information like your home address or phone number unless you specifically want people to contact you that way.
Some people add special characters or emojis to make their bio stand out. Instagram supports emojis, and they count as single characters, so they are an efficient way to add visual interest. Just make sure your bio is still readable and conveys the information you want people to know.
Adding and changing your profile picture
While you are editing your profile, you can also change your profile picture. On the mobile app, tap your current profile picture at the top of the Edit profile screen. Instagram will ask whether you want to take a new photo, choose one from your camera roll, or remove your current picture. Select your choice and follow the prompts.
On a web browser, click your profile picture in the Edit profile form. A menu will appear with options to upload a photo, take a new one (if your browser supports camera access), or delete your current picture. Choose the option you want and confirm. Your new profile picture will appear on your profile and next to your comments and posts across Instagram.
Changing your name and username
The Edit profile screen also lets you change your name and username, though they work differently. Your name is the display name that appears under your username — you can change it as often as you want with no restrictions. Your username is the handle people use to find you and tag you in posts. You can change your username, but Instagram limits how often you can do it (usually once every 14 days), and if your username is already taken, you cannot use it.
To change your name, find the "Name" field in the Edit profile form and type your new name. To change your username, find the "Username" field and type your new handle. Remember that usernames cannot contain spaces, and Instagram will let you know if your chosen username is already taken. Once you submit your changes, your new name or username will appear on your profile when ready.
Troubleshooting bio edits that do not save
In rare cases, your bio changes may not save. The most common reason is a poor internet connection. If your edit does not seem to stick, check that you are connected to WiFi or mobile data, then try editing your bio again. Make sure you are not using special characters or links that Instagram does not allow — while most text is fine, some symbols or certain types of links can cause problems.
If you are using the mobile app and your changes still do not save, try closing the app completely and opening it again. On a web browser, try refreshing the page or logging out and back in. If the problem persists, Instagram may be experiencing a temporary issue on their end. Wait a few minutes and try again. If you continue to have trouble, you can report the issue to Instagram through the app's help section.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use line breaks in my bio?
Yes. On the mobile app, press Enter to create a line break. On a web browser, press Shift + Enter to create a line break. Each line break counts as one character toward your 150-character limit.
What happens if I delete my bio?
Your profile will straightforward show no bio text. Your username and profile picture will still appear, and the Website field will remain empty. You can add a new bio at any time by following the same editing steps.
Can I add multiple links in my bio?
Instagram only allows one clickable link in the Website field. If you need to share multiple links, you can type them directly in your bio text, but they will not be clickable. Some people use link-shortening services or landing pages that contain multiple links to work around this limit.
Does Instagram notify people when I change my bio?
No. Your followers will not receive a notification when you edit your bio. They will only see the new bio if they visit your profile after you make the change.
Can I schedule bio changes in advance?
Instagram does not have a built-in feature to schedule bio changes. You must edit your bio manually each time you want to update it. Some third-party tools claim to offer scheduling, but they are not official Instagram features and may not be reliable.