Creating an Instagram account takes about five minutes and requires only an email address or phone number

You can make a new Instagram account directly through the Instagram app or website. The process is the same either way: you provide an email address or phone number, create a password, add a username, and confirm your identity. Instagram will send you a verification code to confirm the email or phone number is real. Once you enter that code, your account is active and ready to use.

You do not need a Facebook account to create an Instagram account, though Instagram will offer to link them during setup. You can skip that step and keep them separate. If you already have an Instagram account and want a second one, you can create it using a different email address or phone number, then switch between them in the app without logging out each time.

Key Takeaways

  • You need either an email address or a phone number, a password, and a username to create an account.
  • Instagram sends a verification code to confirm your email or phone number before the account becomes active.
  • You can create multiple accounts and switch between them in the app without logging out.
  • Adding a profile picture and bio is optional but helps other people find and recognize your account.
  • Your username is public and permanent — you can change it later, but the old username becomes available for someone else to claim.

Step-by-step: Creating your account on the Instagram app

Open the Instagram app on your phone and tap Create new account at the bottom of the login screen. You will see two options: sign up with your email address or with your phone number. Choose whichever you prefer — both work the same way.

Enter your email address or phone number, then tap Next. Instagram will send a six-digit code to that email or phone. Check your inbox or text messages, copy the code, and paste it into the app. If you do not see the code within a few minutes, tap Didn't get the code? to request a new one.

After you enter the code, Instagram asks for your full name (this can be your real name or anything else), your password, and your birth date. The birth date is required but not shown on your profile. Tap Next to continue.

On the next screen, create your username. This is the handle people will use to find you — it appears as @yourname on your profile. Usernames can contain letters, numbers, periods, and underscores, but no spaces. If the username you want is taken, Instagram will suggest alternatives. Once you choose one, tap Next.

Instagram will ask if you want to add a profile picture and write a bio. Both are optional — you can skip them and add them later. If you want to add them now, tap Add profile picture or Add bio. When you are done, tap Complete sign up. Your account is now active.

Creating an account on Instagram's website

Go to instagram.com and click Create new account near the bottom of the login page. You will see a form asking for your email address or phone number, full name, username, and password. Fill in all four fields, then click Sign up.

Instagram will send a verification code to your email or phone. Enter the code on the next page and click Confirm. Your account is now created. You can add a profile picture and bio by going to your profile and clicking the edit button, but this is optional.

Choosing a username that works for you

Your username is permanent once you create it, though you can change it later. If you change it, the old username becomes available for someone else to use. Think about whether you want a username that matches your real name, a nickname, or something related to your interests.

Usernames are case-insensitive — @JohnSmith and @johnsmith are the same account. Instagram will not let you use spaces, but you can use periods and underscores instead: john.smith or john_smith. If your first choice is taken, try adding a number or underscore to make it unique.

Adding a profile picture and bio

You can add a profile picture and bio right after you create your account, or wait and do it later. To add them, go to your profile by tapping the person icon at the bottom right of the app, then tap Edit profile. Tap Profile picture to upload a photo from your phone, take a new one, or choose an avatar.

Your bio is a short text description of who you are or what your account is about. It can be up to 150 characters and can include line breaks, emojis, and links. Tap the bio field and type what you want to say. When you are done, tap Done or Save to confirm.

Managing multiple Instagram accounts

If you create a second Instagram account using a different email address or phone number, you can switch between them without logging out. In the app, go to your profile and tap the three horizontal lines at the top right. Scroll down and tap Accounts, then tap Add account. Log in with the email or phone number for your second account.

Once both accounts are added, you can switch between them by tapping your username at the top of your profile and selecting the account you want to use. This saves time if you run a personal account and a business account, or if you want separate accounts for different purposes.

What to do if you cannot verify your email or phone number

If you do not receive the verification code, check your spam or junk folder — sometimes the email goes there by mistake. If you are using a phone number, make sure you entered it correctly, including the country code if you are outside the United States.

If you still do not see the code after waiting a few minutes, tap Didn't get the code? in the app or on the website to request a new one. Instagram will send a fresh code. If you have trouble with a specific email address or phone number, try using the other option instead — for example, if email is not working, create the account with your phone number instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Facebook account to create an Instagram account?

No. Instagram will offer to link your Facebook account during setup, but you can skip that step. You can create and use an Instagram account with only an email address or phone number.

Can I change my username after I create my account?

Yes. Go to your profile, tap Edit profile, and change the username field. Keep in mind that once you change it, your old username becomes available for someone else to claim. You can change your username as often as you want, but Instagram limits how frequently you can do it.

What happens if the username I want is already taken?

Instagram will show you that the username is not available and suggest similar alternatives. You can try adding a number, period, or underscore to make it unique — for example, @john.smith or @johnsmith22. If you really want the original username, you would need to contact the person who has it and ask them to change theirs.

Can I create an Instagram account without an email address or phone number?

No. Instagram requires either an email address or a phone number to verify your identity and create your account. This is how Instagram confirms you are a real person and not a bot.

Is my birth date visible on my Instagram profile?

No. Your birth date is required when you create your account, but it is not shown on your public profile. Instagram uses it to enforce age restrictions and show age-appropriate content.