Adding a photo takes three clicks on most devices

To add a photo to a Facebook post, open Facebook on your phone or computer, start a new post in your News Feed, tap or click the photo icon, choose your image from your device, and then post. The whole process takes about 30 seconds once you know where the button is. The photo icon looks like a small landscape picture and sits in the row of options below the text box where you type.

Facebook stores your photos in the cloud after you post them, so you can come back and view them anytime. You can add one photo or multiple photos in a single post — Facebook will arrange them in a grid if you add more than one.

Key Takeaways

  • The photo button is in the toolbar below your text box, marked with a small landscape picture icon.
  • You can add photos from your phone's camera roll, your computer's files, or directly from your camera if you are using a computer.
  • Multiple photos in one post will display as a grid that people can swipe or click through.
  • Once you post a photo, you can edit the caption or delete the photo later, but you cannot move it to a different post.

Steps to add a photo on your phone

Step 1: Open Facebook and tap "What's on your mind?" This is the text box at the top of your News Feed. Tap anywhere in it to start a new post.

Step 2: Look for the photo icon in the toolbar. Below the text box, you will see several small icons. The photo icon looks like a landscape picture frame. Tap it.

Step 3: Choose your photo. Your phone will open your photo library. Scroll to find the photo you want and tap it once to select it. If you want to add more than one photo, tap additional photos — they will show a checkmark when selected.

Step 4: Tap "Done" or "Next". The exact button name depends on whether you are using an iPhone or Android phone, but it will be in the top right corner. This confirms your selection and brings you back to your post.

Step 5: Add a caption if you want. You can type text above or below the photo. This is optional.

Step 6: Tap "Post". Your photo will upload and appear on your timeline and in your friends' News Feeds.

Steps to add a photo on your computer

Step 1: Click "What's on your mind?" at the top of your News Feed. This opens the post composer box.

Step 2: Click the photo icon in the toolbar. It is the small landscape picture icon below the text box. Click it once.

Step 3: Select your photo from your computer. A file browser window will open. Navigate to the folder where your photo is stored, click the photo to select it, and then click "Open" at the bottom right.

Step 4: Wait for the photo to upload. Facebook will show a preview of your photo in the post box. This usually takes a few seconds.

Step 5: Add a caption and click "Post". Type any text you want to go with the photo, then click the blue "Post" button.

What to do if the photo icon is not visible

If you cannot see the photo icon below your text box, you may be using an older version of Facebook or the page did not load completely. Try refreshing your browser or closing and reopening the Facebook app. On a phone, swipe down from the top of the screen to refresh, or close the app completely and tap it again to reopen it.

If you are on a computer and the toolbar still does not appear, try a different web browser. Facebook works best in Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge. If you are using Internet Explorer, switch to one of these browsers instead.

How to add multiple photos at once

When you tap or click the photo icon, your phone or computer will let you select more than one image before you post. On a phone, tap each photo you want — they will show a checkmark. On a computer, hold down the Ctrl key (or Cmd key on a Mac) and click each photo you want to add.

Facebook will arrange multiple photos in a grid. People viewing your post can swipe left and right on a phone or click arrows on a computer to see each photo. There is no hard limit to how many photos you can add in one post, but adding more than 10 can make the post slow to load.

Editing or removing a photo after you post

If you want to change the caption after posting, click or tap the three dots in the top right corner of your post and select "Edit post." You can change the text but not the photo itself. If you need to remove the photo entirely, click the three dots again and select "Delete," then repost without the photo.

You cannot move a photo from one post to another post. If you posted the wrong photo, you will need to delete the post and create a new one with the correct photo.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

The most common mistake is tapping the wrong icon. The photo icon looks like a small landscape picture. Do not confuse it with the camera icon, which opens your phone's camera to take a new photo right then. If you want to use a photo you already took, tap the photo icon, not the camera icon.

Another common issue is posting a photo that is too large. Facebook will compress it automatically, but if your original file is very large (over 4 MB), it may take longer to upload. Most phone cameras create files that are fine, but if you are transferring photos from a computer, check the file size first. You can see the file size by right-clicking the photo on Windows or pressing Space on a Mac.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add a photo from the internet to my Facebook post?

Not directly from a link. You need to download the photo to your phone or computer first, then add it through your photo library. Right-click the image on a website, select "Save image," and choose where to save it. Then follow the steps above to add it to your post.

What file types does Facebook accept?

Facebook accepts JPG, PNG, GIF, and BMP files. Most photos from phones and cameras are JPG files, so you should not run into problems. If you are unsure what type your file is, look at the ending of the filename — it will say .jpg, .png, .gif, or .bmp.

Why is my photo blurry after I post it?

Facebook compresses photos to make them load faster. If your original photo was blurry, it will stay blurry. If it was sharp but looks blurry after posting, try deleting and reposting it. Sometimes a slow internet connection causes Facebook to upload a lower-quality version. Wait a few minutes and refresh the page — Facebook may replace it with a better version.

Can I post a photo without writing any text?

Yes. The caption is optional. You can add just a photo with no words, or add a photo with text. Both work the same way.

How long does it take for a photo to appear after I post?

Usually less than a minute. If your internet connection is slow, it may take a few minutes. If a photo does not appear after 10 minutes, try refreshing the page. If it still does not show, delete the post and try again.