What you need to do to set up a Facebook account

Creating a new Facebook account takes about five minutes and requires only an email address or phone number, your name, and a password you choose. You go to facebook.com, click "Create New Facebook Account," fill in the form with your basic information, and verify your identity through a code Facebook sends to your email or phone. Once you confirm that code, your account is active and you can start adding a profile picture and finding people to connect with.

Facebook does not charge money to create an account. The platform makes money from advertisers, not from users. You can use Facebook without ever spending anything, though the company will show you ads based on information you share and your activity on the site.

Key Takeaways

  • You need a working email address or phone number, your real name as Facebook will ask for it, and a password only you know.
  • Facebook will send you a verification code to confirm you own the email or phone number you entered — you must enter that code to finish setup.
  • Your profile is private by default to people outside your friends list, but you can change privacy settings after you create the account.
  • If you already have a Facebook account and want a second one, you can create it with a different email address, though Facebook's terms say one person should have only one account.

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

Open a web browser and go to facebook.com. In the upper right, you will see a blue button that says "Create New Facebook Account" or sometimes just "Sign Up". Click that button. A window will pop up asking for your first name, last name, email address or phone number, date of birth, and gender. Fill in each field with accurate information — Facebook uses your date of birth to enforce age rules (you must be at least 13) and to show you age-appropriate content.

Choose a password that is at least six characters long and includes a mix of numbers, letters, and symbols if possible. Write it down somewhere safe or use a password manager — you will need it every time you log in. Click "Sign Up" at the bottom of the form. Facebook will then send a verification code to the email address or phone number you entered. Check your email inbox (or text messages if you used a phone number) for a message from Facebook. Enter that code into the box Facebook shows you. Your account is now created.

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

read the Facebook app from the Apple App Store (if you have an iPhone) or Google Play Store (if you have an Android phone). Open the app. At the bottom of the login screen, tap "Create New Facebook Account". The form will ask for your first name, last name, email or phone number, date of birth, and gender. Fill in each field. Choose a password and tap "Sign Up".

Facebook will send a verification code to your email or phone. If you used an email address, check your email app for the code. If you used a phone number, check your text messages. Return to the Facebook app and enter the code when prompted. Your account is now active, and you can start using the app right away.

What information Facebook requires and why

Facebook requires your real name because the platform is built around connecting people who actually know each other. The company has rules against fake names, though it does allow some variations — for example, if you go by a nickname or a middle name instead of your first name, you can use that. Your date of birth is required so Facebook can enforce its rule that users must be at least 13 years old and to show you content suited to your age.

Your email address or phone number is how Facebook verifies you are a real person and how you recover your account if you forget your password. You do not have to use your real phone number — a Gmail address, Outlook address, or any other email service works fine. Facebook will not show your email address to other users unless you change your privacy settings to allow it.

Privacy settings to adjust after you create your account

When your account is brand new, your profile is set to "Friends Only" — only people you have sent friend requests to and accepted can see your posts, photos, and information. You can change this in Settings. Click the downward arrow in the top right corner of Facebook, select "Settings and Privacy," then "Settings," then "Privacy" on the left side. Here you can control who sees your posts, who can message you, and who can look up your profile using your email or phone number.

Most people keep their posts visible to friends only. If you want strangers to see your posts, you can change it to "Public," but this means anyone on the internet can find and read what you share. You can also turn off the ability for people to message you if they are not your friends, which reduces spam and unwanted contact. These settings can be changed anytime, so you do not have to get them perfect on day one.

What to do if you cannot receive the verification code

If you do not see the verification code in your email inbox, check your spam or junk folder — sometimes email filters catch Facebook's message by mistake. Wait a few minutes and refresh your email. If you still do not see it, go back to the Facebook form and ask Facebook to send the code again, or choose the other method (if you entered an email, try a phone number instead, or vice versa).

If you do not have access to the email address or phone number you entered, you will need to start over with a different one. Close the browser or app and go back to facebook.com or reopen the Facebook app, then click "Create New Facebook Account" again and use an email address or phone number you can actually access. There is no penalty for starting over — you can create as many accounts as you want during the setup process before you verify one.

Creating a second account if you already have one

If you already have a Facebook account and want to create a second one, you can do so using a different email address or phone number. Log out of your current account first. Then go to facebook.com and click "Create New Facebook Account" as if you were a new user. Use a different email address or phone number than the one connected to your first account. Facebook's terms of service say each person should have only one account, but the platform does not actively prevent you from creating multiple accounts as long as each one uses different contact information.

Keep in mind that if Facebook discovers you are using multiple accounts to break its rules — for example, to spam people or to evade a ban — the company may shut down all your accounts. If you have a legitimate reason for a second account (running a business page, managing a community group, or keeping a separate personal and professional presence), Facebook has other tools designed for that purpose, like Facebook Pages and Groups, which do not require a separate login.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use my real name on Facebook?

Facebook requires the name you go by in everyday life, which is usually your legal name but can be a nickname, middle name, or other variation you actually use. You cannot use a completely made-up name or a business name as your personal profile. If you want a business presence, create a Facebook Page instead, which allows any name you choose.

Can I create a Facebook account without an email address?

You need either an email address or a phone number to create an account — Facebook will not let you skip this step. 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 to sign up for Facebook.

What happens if I forget my password after I create my account?

Go to facebook.com and click "Forgotten password?" below the login boxes. Facebook will ask you to enter your email address or phone number, then send you a link to reset your password. Click that link and create a new password. You can then log in with your new password.

Is it safe to create a Facebook account with my real phone number?

Using your phone number is safe for account creation and recovery. Facebook does not share your phone number with other users or advertisers by default. You can control who sees your phone number in your privacy settings — by default, only you can see it.

Can I delete my Facebook account after I create it?

Yes. Go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then scroll down and click "Deactivate or Delete." You can deactivate your account temporarily (it can be reactivated later) or delete it permanently (after 30 days, it cannot be recovered). Deactivation is faster if you might want to come back.