What you need before you start

Creating a Facebook account takes about five minutes and requires three things: a working email address or phone number, a password you haven't used elsewhere, and your real name as you want it to appear. Facebook will ask for your birth date and gender during setup — you can adjust the privacy of these details after your account is live.

You do not need a credit card, a phone number on file, or any payment method to create a basic account. Facebook makes money from advertising, not from charging users to join. If you see a website claiming you need to pay to set up Facebook, that is a scam.

Have your email or phone number ready before you begin. If you use an email address, make sure you can access it — Facebook will send you a confirmation link you have to click. If you use a phone number instead, Facebook will text you a code to enter.

Key Takeaways

  • Go to facebook.com on any web browser or open the Facebook app on your phone, then click "Create New Facebook Account" to start the signup form.
  • Enter your real name, email address or phone number, birth date, and gender, then create a password that is at least six characters long and includes a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols.
  • Confirm your email or phone number by clicking the link Facebook sends you or entering the code they text you — your account will not work until you do this.
  • After confirmation, you can add a profile picture, write a bio, and adjust privacy settings to control who sees your information and posts.
  • Facebook will suggest friends based on your email contacts and other information — you can ignore these suggestions or add people you actually know.

Step-by-step: Creating your account on a computer

Open any web browser and go to facebook.com. On the right side of the page, you will see a box labeled "Create a New Facebook Account" with a blue button. Click that button to open the signup form.

Fill in the form fields in order. Enter your first name and last name as you want them to appear on your profile. Type your email address or phone number in the next field — this is how you will log in later. Enter your birth date using the dropdown menus for month, day, and year. Select your gender from the options provided.

Create a password in the password field. Facebook requires at least six characters. A strong password includes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols like ! or @. Do not use a password you have used on other websites. Click "Sign Up" when the form is complete.

Facebook will send a confirmation link to your email or a code to your phone. Check your email inbox (or spam folder if it does not appear in your main inbox) and click the link, or return to Facebook and enter the code you received by text. Your account is now active.

Step-by-step: Creating your account on a phone

Open the App Store on an iPhone or Google Play on an Android phone. Search for "Facebook" and read the official app made by Meta Platforms, Inc. Open the app once it finishes installing.

Tap "Create New Facebook Account" at the bottom of the login screen. The app will walk you through the same form as the website: first name, last name, email or phone number, birth date, and gender. Type in each field and tap "Next" to move forward.

Create your password following the same rules as on a computer — at least six characters, mixing uppercase and lowercase letters with numbers or symbols. Tap "Sign Up" when finished. The app will then ask you to confirm your email or phone number using the same method as the website version.

Confirming your email or phone number

After you click "Sign Up," Facebook will not let you use your account until you confirm your contact information. This step proves you own the email address or phone number you entered.

If you used an email address, check your inbox for a message from Facebook with the subject line "Confirm Your Email." Click the blue "Confirm Your Email" button in that message. If you do not see the email within a few minutes, check your spam or junk folder — some email providers filter Facebook messages there. If the email never arrives, return to Facebook and click "Didn't receive a code?" to have them send it again.

If you used a phone number, Facebook will text you a six-digit code. Return to the Facebook app or website and enter that code in the field that appears. If you do not receive the text within a few minutes, click "Resend Code" to request another one.

Setting up your profile after confirmation

Once you confirm your email or phone, Facebook will ask if you want to add a profile picture. You can skip this step and add one later, or take a photo or upload one from your phone. Your profile picture is what other people see next to your name when you comment or post.

Facebook will then suggest people you might know based on your email contacts and other information. You can add these people as friends by clicking "Add Friend," or skip the suggestions entirely. You do not have to add anyone right away — you can search for friends later using the search bar at the top of the page.

Go to your profile by clicking your name at the top of the page. Click "Edit Profile" to add a bio, hometown, workplace, or other information about yourself. You can also adjust privacy settings here — click the three dots next to "Edit Profile" and select "Privacy" to control who can see your posts, send you messages, or view your friend list.

What to do if you forget your password

If you cannot remember your password after creating your account, go to facebook.com and click "Forgotten Password?" below the login fields. Enter the email address or phone number you used to create the account. Facebook will send you a link or code to reset your password.

Click the link in the email or enter the code on the Facebook page, then create a new password. Make sure your new password is different from the old one and is not a password you use on other websites. Your account will be accessible again once you set the new password.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to use my real name on Facebook?

Facebook requires you to use the name you go by in everyday life. You can use a nickname if that is what people actually call you, but Facebook may ask you to change it if you use a fake name or numbers instead of letters. You can change your name once every 60 days after your account is created.

Can I create a Facebook account without an email address?

No, you need either an email address or a phone number to create an account. If you do not have an email address, you can create one for free at Gmail.com, Outlook.com, or Yahoo.com in about two minutes. Then use that email to sign up for Facebook.

What happens if I enter the wrong birth date?

You can change your birth date after your account is created by going to your profile, clicking "Edit Profile," and updating the date. However, if you list yourself as under 13 years old, Facebook will restrict your account or disable it, because Facebook is not available to children under 13 in most countries.

Is it safe to use my real phone number for Facebook?

Using a phone number is safe for account creation and recovery. Facebook does not publicly display your phone number unless you choose to add it to your profile and make it visible. You can keep your phone number private by going to Settings, clicking "Personal Information," and adjusting who can see your phone number.

Can I create more than one Facebook account?

Facebook allows you to create multiple accounts, but each one needs a different email address or phone number. You can only be logged into one account at a time on the same browser, though you can use different browsers or devices to stay logged into multiple accounts simultaneously.