What you need before you start

To create a Facebook account, you need an email address or phone number, your real name, and a password you haven't used elsewhere. Facebook will ask for your birth date and gender during setup. You do not need a credit card — Facebook accounts are free to create and use.

Before you begin, decide which email address you want to use. If you already have a Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, or other email account, use that one. If you don't have an email address yet, you can create one for free at Gmail.com or Outlook.com in about five minutes. Using an email address you check regularly makes it easier to recover your account later if you forget your password.

Have your phone nearby if you plan to use a phone number instead of email. Facebook will send a code to that number to confirm it's yours. Either method works equally well — choose whichever you're more comfortable with.

Key Takeaways

  • You need only an email address or phone number, your real name, and a password to create a Facebook account.
  • Go to Facebook.com, click "Create New Facebook Account", and fill in your name, email or phone, birth date, and gender.
  • Facebook will send a confirmation code to your email or phone — enter it to finish creating your account.
  • After confirming, add a profile picture and fill in basic information so your account looks complete and real to others.
  • Use a strong password with uppercase letters, numbers, and symbols, and never share your login details with anyone.

Step-by-step account creation on a computer

Open a web browser and go to Facebook.com. In the upper right corner, you will see a blue button labeled "Create New Facebook Account". Click it. A window will pop up with fields for your information.

Fill in your first name and last name in the first two boxes. Use the name you want people to know you by — this can be your legal name or a name you go by regularly. Facebook requires you to use a name that represents you, not a business name or random text.

In the "Email or phone number" field, type the email address you chose, or your phone number with the country code (for example, +1 for the United States). Then create a password in the next field. Make it at least eight characters long and include uppercase letters, numbers, and symbols like ! or #. Avoid using your name, birth date, or common words.

Select your birth date using the dropdown menus for month, day, and year. Then choose your gender from the options provided. Click the blue "Sign Up" button at the bottom.

Confirming your email or phone number

Facebook will send a confirmation code to the email address or phone number you entered. Check your email inbox (or text messages if you used a phone number). The code is usually a six-digit number.

Go back to Facebook and enter this code in the box that appears. If you don't see the code within a few minutes, check your spam or junk folder — sometimes confirmation emails end up there. If you still can't find it, click "Didn't receive a code?" and Facebook will send another one.

Once you enter the correct code, your account is created. Facebook may ask you to add a profile picture and find friends, but you can skip these steps for now and do them later.

Creating an account on a phone or tablet

Open Facebook on your phone by going to Facebook.com in your browser, or read the Facebook app from the Apple App Store (for iPhone) or Google Play Store (for Android). Either method works the same way.

Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right of the screen. Scroll down and tap "Create New Facebook Account". Fill in your first name, last name, email or phone number, birth date, and gender the same way you would on a computer. The fields appear one at a time on a phone instead of all at once.

Create a strong password and tap "Sign Up". Then check your email or text messages for the confirmation code and enter it when prompted. Your account is now active.

Setting up your profile after creation

After confirming your account, Facebook will suggest adding a profile picture. You can take a new photo with your phone's camera or upload one you already have. A clear, recent photo of your face helps people recognize you and makes your account look complete.

Fill in your basic information by clicking on your name at the top of the page and selecting "Edit profile". Add your current city, workplace, school, and relationship status if you want to. You can leave any of these blank — Facebook doesn't require them. The more information you add, the easier it is for people you know to find you.

Adjust your privacy settings before you start using your account. Click the downward arrow in the top right corner, then "Settings and privacy", then "Settings". Under "Privacy", you can choose who sees your posts (friends only, public, or custom). Most people choose "Friends only" when starting out.

Choosing a strong password and keeping it safe

Your password is the key to your account. A strong password has at least 12 characters and includes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. For example, "BlueSky#2024River" is stronger than "password123".

Do not use the same password on Facebook that you use on email, banking, or other important accounts. If someone gets your Facebook password, you want them to have access only to Facebook, not to your email or bank account. Write your password down and store it somewhere safe — a notebook in a drawer, a password manager app, or a locked file on your computer.

Never share your password with anyone, even friends or family. Facebook staff will never ask for your password. If someone claims to be from Facebook and asks for it, they are lying. If you think someone has your password, change it when ready by going to Settings, clicking "Password", and entering a new one.

Troubleshooting common problems

If you see a message saying "This email is already registered", that email address is already connected to another Facebook account. Use a different email address, or recover the old account if it's yours. Click "Forgot password?" on the Facebook login page and follow the steps to regain access.

If the confirmation code doesn't arrive, check your spam folder first. If it's not there, wait a few minutes and request a new code. If you're using a phone number, make sure you entered it correctly with the country code. If you keep having trouble, try using an email address instead of a phone number.

If Facebook asks you to confirm your identity with a photo of your ID, this usually means the account looks suspicious to their security system. Follow the on-screen instructions to upload a clear photo of your ID. This process normally takes a few hours to a day.

What to do after your account is active

Once your account is created and confirmed, you can start using Facebook. Search for friends by name, join groups related to your interests, and follow pages you care about. You can post text, photos, and videos whenever you want.

Take time to review your privacy settings regularly. Facebook changes its settings sometimes, and what was private last year might be public now. Check your settings every few months to make sure your posts are only visible to the people you want to see them.

Be cautious about what you share. Anything you post can be saved, shared, or screenshot by others. Avoid posting your phone number, address, or financial information. If someone you don't know sends you a friend request, check their profile before accepting — scammers often create fake accounts to trick people.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I create a Facebook account without using my real name?

Facebook requires you to use the name you go by in everyday life. This doesn't have to be your legal name — you can use a nickname, middle name, or name you're commonly known by. Facebook reviews accounts that use obviously fake names and may ask you to change it or provide ID to confirm your identity.

What if I don't remember my password after creating my account?

Go to Facebook.com and click "Forgot password?" below the login boxes. Enter your email address or phone number, and Facebook will send you a link to reset your password. Click the link in your email and create a new password. You'll be able to log in right away with the new one.

Can I create more than one Facebook account?

Facebook allows you to have multiple accounts, but each one needs a different email address or phone number. You can switch between accounts by clicking your profile picture and selecting "Switch account". However, Facebook's rules say you should use only one account per person, so creating multiple accounts for the same person may violate their terms.

Is it safe to use my phone number instead of email?

Yes, using a phone number is just as safe as using email. Facebook will text you a confirmation code instead of emailing one. The main difference is that if you change phone numbers later, you'll need to update your account information. Email addresses are usually easier to keep the same over time.

What happens if Facebook disables my new account?

Facebook sometimes disables new accounts if they look suspicious — for example, if you post a lot very quickly or add many friends in a short time. If this happens, Facebook will send you a message explaining why. You can usually appeal the decision by clicking the link in the message and providing more information about yourself.