Creating a board takes three steps: name it, choose who can see it, and decide if others can add pins
A Pinterest board is a collection you create to gather pins on a specific topic. You start by tapping the plus icon in the Pinterest app or clicking "Create board" on the website, then give it a name, write a short description, and choose whether it stays private (only you see it) or public (anyone can find it). Once you save it, the board exists and you can start adding pins to it right away.
The process works the same on your phone, tablet, or computer. The board appears in your profile when ready, and you can change its name, description, or privacy settings at any time. Most people create boards around topics they care about — home decor, recipes, travel destinations, fashion ideas — so they have a place to collect related pins instead of letting them scatter across their profile.
Key Takeaways
- You create a board by opening the plus menu, naming it, adding a description, and choosing private or public visibility.
- Private boards only you can see; public boards appear in search results and other people can find them.
- You can add collaborators to a board so multiple people can pin to the same collection.
- Board names and descriptions help you find pins later and help other people understand what the board contains.
- You can change a board's privacy setting, name, or description after you create it without losing the pins already in it.
How to create a board on the Pinterest app
Open the Pinterest app and tap the plus icon at the bottom of the screen (on iPhone) or in the top right corner (on Android). Select "Create board" from the menu that appears. Type a name for your board — something clear like "Kitchen Remodel Ideas" or "Weeknight Dinners" — then add a description if you want one. The description is optional but helps you remember what the board is for later.
Next, choose the privacy setting. Tap "Private" if only you should see the board, or leave it on "Public" if you want other Pinterest users to find it in search results. You can also toggle on "Collaborate" if you want to invite friends or family to add pins to the same board. After you set these options, tap "Create" and the board appears in your profile.
How to create a board on the Pinterest website
Log into Pinterest on your computer and look for the plus icon in the top right corner of the screen. Click "Create board" from the dropdown menu. A form appears where you type the board name and description. Use the same approach as the app: pick a clear name and add a short description so you know what the board is for.
Below the description field, you see checkboxes for "Private" and "Collaborate". Check "Private" if you want only yourself to see it. Leave it unchecked if you want the board to be public. If you want other people to add pins to it, check the "Collaborate" box. Click "Create board" at the bottom of the form and you are done.
Understanding private versus public boards
A private board is invisible to everyone except you. Other users cannot search for it, find it on your profile, or see the pins in it. Private boards are useful for personal planning — saving ideas you are not ready to share, collecting sensitive information, or gathering pins you want to keep to yourself. You can change a private board to public later if you decide to share it.
A public board appears in Pinterest search results and on your profile for anyone to see. Other users can view all the pins in it, and they may be able to repin those pins to their own boards (depending on your settings). Public boards are good for sharing ideas with friends, building a collection around a hobby or interest, or creating a resource other people might find useful. You can switch a public board to private at any time.
Adding collaborators to a board
If you turned on the "Collaborate" option when you created the board, you can invite other people to add pins to it. Open the board, tap or click the three dots in the top right corner, and select "Invite collaborators" or "Manage collaborators". Type the email address or Pinterest username of the person you want to invite. They receive a notification and can accept or decline the invitation.
Once someone accepts, they can add, delete, and organize pins on that board just like you can. You can remove a collaborator at any time by going back to the collaborators menu and clicking the X next to their name. Collaborative boards work well for group planning — a wedding board shared with bridesmaids, a vacation board shared with travel companions, or a home project board shared with a partner.
Naming and describing your board so you find it later
The board name appears at the top of the board and in your profile, so choose something you will recognize months from now. "Kitchen Ideas" is less useful than "Kitchen Remodel 2025" because the second one tells you what stage the project is in. If you have multiple boards on similar topics, add a detail to each name so you know which one to open.
The description is optional but worth filling in. Write a sentence or two about what the board contains — "Recipes using ingredients we already have" or "Inspiration for the guest bedroom". When you come back to your boards later, the description reminds you what each one is for. Other people also see the description if your board is public, so they understand what they are looking at.
Changing a board after you create it
You can edit a board's name, description, and privacy setting at any time without affecting the pins already in it. Open the board, tap or click the three dots in the top right corner, and select "Edit board". Change the name or description, toggle the privacy setting between private and public, or adjust the collaborate setting. Tap or click "Save" and the changes take effect when ready.
If you decide you no longer want a board, you can delete it from the same menu. Deleting a board removes it from your profile, but the pins themselves are not deleted — they remain in your saved pins or other boards if you saved them elsewhere. You cannot undo a board deletion, so make sure you want to remove it before you confirm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I move pins from one board to another after I create them?
Yes. Open a pin, tap or click the three dots, and select "Move pin" or "Change board". Choose the new board from the list and the pin moves there. You can move multiple pins at once by selecting them and using the move option.
What happens if I change a board from public to private?
The board becomes invisible to other users when ready. Any pins already in it stay in the board, but people who do not have the link cannot find it or see what is in it. You can change it back to public at any time.
Do collaborators need a Pinterest account to add pins to my board?
Yes, collaborators must have a Pinterest account and be logged in to add or edit pins. You invite them using their email address or username, and they accept the invitation before they can start pinning.
Can I create a board without a description?
Yes, the description is optional. You can leave it blank when you create the board and add one later, or skip it entirely. A clear board name is the most important part.
How many boards can I create?
Pinterest does not set a limit on the number of boards you can create. You can organize as many as you need, though keeping them named clearly helps you find the right one when you are saving a pin.