What you need before you start
Creating an Instagram account takes about five minutes and requires three things: a working email address or phone number, a password you haven't used elsewhere, and a username. You do not need a credit card, a business license, or a phone number if you use email instead. Instagram is free to join and use.
You can create an account on your phone using the Instagram app (available on iPhone and Android) or on a computer using a web browser. The steps are nearly identical either way. If you already have a Facebook account, Instagram can pull your name and profile picture from there, but this is optional.
Before you choose your username, know that you cannot change it later without deleting your account and starting over. You can change your display name (the name that appears above your username) anytime, but the username itself — the handle people use to find you — is permanent unless you delete the whole account.
Key Takeaways
- You need an email address or phone number, a password, and a username to create an account, and the whole process takes about five minutes.
- Your username cannot be changed without deleting your account, so choose carefully — your display name can change anytime.
- You can sign up on your phone using the Instagram app or on a computer using any web browser.
- Instagram will not ask for payment information during signup, and you do not need a phone number if you use an email address instead.
Creating an account on your phone
Open the Instagram app on your iPhone or Android phone. If you do not have the app, download it from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store — both are free. When you open the app for the first time, you will see a screen with a button that says "Create new account" at the bottom. Tap that button.
Instagram will ask whether you want to sign up with your phone number or email address. Choose whichever you prefer — both work the same way. Type in your email or phone number, then tap "Next". Instagram will send you a code (to your email inbox or as a text message). Open that message, copy the code, and paste it back into the app. Tap "Next" again.
Now Instagram asks for your full name, a password, and your birthdate. Your full name does not have to be your real name — you can type anything. The password should be something you do not use on other websites. Your birthdate must be at least 13 years old (Instagram's age requirement). After you fill these in, tap "Next".
The final step is choosing your username. This is the handle people will use to find you — it appears with an @ symbol in front of it. Instagram will suggest some usernames based on your name, but you can type your own. If the username you want is already taken, Instagram will tell you and suggest alternatives. Once you find one that is available, tap "Next", and your account is created.
Creating an account on a computer
Go to instagram.com in any web browser. You will see the Instagram login page. Look for a link that says "Create a new account" or "Sign up" — the exact wording changes, but it is near the login button. Click it.
Instagram will ask for your email address or phone number. Type it in and click "Next". You will receive a code in your email or as a text message. Copy that code and paste it into the box on the screen, then click "Next".
Fill in your full name (which does not have to be your real name), choose a password, and enter your birthdate. Click "Next". Then choose your username the same way you would on your phone — Instagram suggests options, but you can type your own. Once you pick one that is available, click "Sign up", and your account is ready to use.
What to do after you create your account
After you sign up, Instagram will ask you to add a profile picture and write a bio (a short description of who you are). Both are optional — you can skip them and add them later. If you want to add them now, click or tap the profile icon at the bottom right of the screen, then tap "Edit profile".
Instagram will also suggest accounts to follow based on your email contacts or Facebook friends. You do not have to follow anyone right away. You can browse and follow accounts whenever you want, or skip this step entirely and come back to it later.
Your account is now live. You can start following other accounts, liking posts, and sending direct messages right away. If you want to post your own photos or videos, tap the plus icon at the bottom of the screen (on your phone) or look for a "Create" button (on a computer).
Choosing a username you will not regret
Your username is permanent, so spend a moment thinking about it before you confirm. Avoid usernames with numbers at the end (like "sarah_2024") because they look temporary and are harder to remember. Avoid usernames that include your full birthdate or current age, since you cannot change them later and they will become outdated.
If you are creating an account for a business or public figure, choose something that matches your name or brand — this makes you easier to find. If you are creating a personal account, you have more freedom. Some people use their real name, some use a nickname, and some use something completely different. There is no right answer, but remember that anyone can see your username, so choose something you are comfortable with publicly.
If the username you want is taken, Instagram suggests alternatives by adding numbers or underscores. You can accept one of these suggestions, or keep trying different variations until you find something available that you like.
Connecting your account to Facebook (optional)
During signup, Instagram may offer to pull your name and profile picture from Facebook if you have a Facebook account. You can do this, or you can skip it and fill in your profile manually. Connecting to Facebook does not share your Instagram posts to Facebook automatically — it only copies your profile information during setup.
If you skip this step during signup, you can connect your accounts later by going to Settings (the gear icon on your phone, or the menu on a computer), then "Accounts Center" or "Linked Accounts", and following the prompts. You can also disconnect your accounts anytime from the same menu.
If something goes wrong during signup
If Instagram says your email address or phone number is already in use, it means an account with that contact information already exists. If it is your account and you forgot your password, go to the login page and click "Forgot password?" to reset it. If the account belongs to someone else, you will need to use a different email address or phone number to create a new account.
If Instagram says your username is not available, it is already taken by someone else. Try a different variation — add an underscore, a number, or a word that describes you. If you keep getting an error message that does not make sense, try again in a few minutes, or try creating the account on a different device (phone instead of computer, or vice versa).
If you are under 13 years old, Instagram will not let you create an account. Instagram's terms of service require all users to be at least 13. If you are 13 or older but Instagram rejected your birthdate, double-check that you entered it correctly and try again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a phone number to create an Instagram account?
No. You can use an email address instead. Instagram asks for either one during signup, and both work equally well. You only need a phone number if you prefer to receive your verification code as a text message rather than an email.
Can I change my username after I create my account?
No. Your username is permanent and cannot be changed without deleting your entire account and creating a new one. You can change your display name (the name that appears above your username) anytime by going to Settings and tapping "Edit profile", but the username itself is locked in.
What if someone else has the username I want?
You will need to choose a different username. Instagram will suggest alternatives with underscores or numbers added. You can accept one of these, or try your own variation. If the username you want is very common, try adding a word that describes you, like your profession or location.
Is Instagram free, or do I have to pay?
Creating an account and using Instagram is completely free. Instagram does not ask for payment information during signup. You can use all basic features — following accounts, liking posts, sending messages, and posting your own content — without paying anything.
Can I create multiple Instagram accounts with the same email address?
No. Each email address or phone number can only be connected to one Instagram account. If you want to create a second account, you will need a different email address or phone number. However, once you create multiple accounts, you can switch between them on the same phone or computer without logging out and back in each time.