What you need before you start

Creating a Facebook account takes about five minutes and requires three things: an email address or phone number you can access right now, a password you will remember, and your real name as you want it to appear. Facebook will send you a confirmation link to that email or text a code to that phone number, so you need to be able to receive messages there during the signup process.

You do not need a credit card, a Facebook friend to invite you, or any special permission. Anyone 13 or older can create an account. If you already have a Facebook account and want a second one, you will need a different email address or phone number for each account — Facebook does not allow the same contact information on multiple accounts.

Key Takeaways

  • Go to facebook.com on any web browser or open the Facebook app, then click "Create New Facebook Account" and fill in your name, email or phone number, password, and birthdate.
  • Facebook will send a confirmation code to your email or phone — enter that code on the page that appears to verify your account is real.
  • After you confirm, you can add a profile picture and search for friends, but your account is active when ready after verification.
  • If you cannot find the confirmation email, check your spam or junk folder, or ask Facebook to send the code again.
  • You can change your name, email, phone number, and password anytime after signup by going to Settings and Privacy, then Settings.

The signup page and what to fill in

Open facebook.com in any web browser, or if you are on a phone, open the Facebook app. On the web version, look for the white button that says "Create New Facebook Account" — it is usually near the bottom right of the login box. On the app, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) and scroll down to find "Create New Facebook Account".

A popup window will appear with fields for your first name, last name, email address or phone number, new password, and birthdate. Type your name exactly as you want it to appear on your profile. Use an email address you check regularly or a phone number where you can receive text messages. The password should be something you will not forget — Facebook does not have a way to recover a password you lose, so write it down somewhere safe if you need to.

For your birthdate, Facebook uses this to verify your age and to show your birthday to friends later. You can hide your birth year from your profile after you create the account if you prefer. Click the "Sign Up" button when all fields are filled.

Confirming your account with a code

After you click Sign Up, Facebook will send a confirmation code to the email address or phone number you entered. If you used email, check your inbox for a message from Facebook. If you used a phone number, you will receive a text message with a six-digit code.

On the screen in front of you, enter that code in the box labeled "Confirmation Code" and click "Confirm". If you do not see the code within a few minutes, check your spam or junk folder — sometimes email providers filter Facebook messages by mistake. If it is still not there, click "Resend Code" and Facebook will send it again.

Once you enter the correct code, your account is active. Facebook may ask you to add a profile picture or search for friends, but you can skip these steps and do them later. Your account works when ready after confirmation.

Setting up your profile picture and basic information

After confirmation, Facebook usually shows you a screen to add a profile picture. You can upload a photo from your phone or computer, take a new photo with your camera, or skip this step entirely. Your profile picture is what other people see next to your name when you comment or send messages, so choose something you are comfortable with.

You can also add a cover photo (the large banner at the top of your profile), a bio, your location, and other details. None of these are required to use Facebook — you can add them now or come back to your profile later and fill them in. Click "Next" or "Skip" to move forward.

Finding and adding friends

Facebook will suggest people you might know based on your email contacts, phone contacts, or mutual connections. You can click "Add Friend" next to anyone you recognize, or skip this and search for friends later. To find someone, click the search icon at the top of the page, type their name, and click their profile when you find them. Then click "Add Friend" on their profile.

When you send a friend request, that person will see it and can accept or decline. You will not see their posts or be able to message them until they accept. Some people set their profiles to private, which means you can only see limited information about them until they accept your request.

Changing your account information later

After your account is created, you can change almost everything. To change your name, email, phone number, or password, click the menu icon (three horizontal lines on the app, or the down arrow on the web version) and select "Settings and Privacy", then "Settings". Look for "Personal Information" or "Password and Security" depending on what you want to change.

Facebook allows you to change your name once every 60 days. If you want to add or remove your phone number, or change which email is connected to your account, go to "Contact Information" in Settings. You can also deactivate your account temporarily or delete it permanently from the "Deactivation or Deletion" section, though this is separate from straightforward logging out.

Troubleshooting common problems

If you see an error message saying "This email is already registered", that email address is already connected to another Facebook account. Use a different email address, or if that account is yours and you forgot the password, click "Forgot Password?" on the login page to reset it instead of creating a new account.

If you cannot find the confirmation code email, check your spam folder first — look for a message from noreply@facebookmail.com. If it is not there, go back to the signup page, click "Resend Code", and wait a few minutes. If you are using a phone number instead of email and not receiving the text, make sure your phone plan includes text messages and that you entered the number correctly.

If Facebook asks for additional information like a photo of your ID, this usually means the system flagged your account as potentially fake. Follow the instructions Facebook provides — you will need to upload a photo of your government ID to confirm you are a real person. This is a security measure and is normal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I create a Facebook account without an email address?

Yes, you can use a phone number instead. Facebook will text you a confirmation code to that number. You can add an email address to your account later in Settings if you want to.

What if I forget my password right after creating my account?

Go to facebook.com and click "Forgot Password?" on the login page. Enter your email or phone number, and Facebook will send you a link to create a new password. You do not need to create a new account.

Can I use a fake name on Facebook?

Facebook requires you to use your authentic name — the name you go by in everyday life. If you use a nickname or middle name instead of your legal name, that is usually acceptable. Facebook can disable accounts that use names that appear fake or offensive.

How do I make my new account private so only friends can see my posts?

Click the menu icon and go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings. Find "Privacy" and change "Who can see your posts?" to "Friends". You can also control who can contact you, see your friend list, and find your account by searching.

Can I delete my account and create a new one with the same email?

If you delete your account, you must wait at least 30 days before you can use that email for a new Facebook account. During those 30 days, the account is in a deletion process and cannot be recovered. After 30 days, the email becomes available again.