You can edit your age in Facebook's settings, but Facebook limits how often you can change it

To change your age on Facebook, go to your profile, open Settings and Privacy, then Settings. Click Personal Information, then Birth Date. Edit the date and save. Facebook lets you change your age once every 60 days — if you try to change it more often, you will see a message saying you have to wait.

The reason for this limit is that Facebook uses your age to control what ads you see, what groups you can join, and who can contact you. Frequent changes can trigger Facebook's security systems, which may temporarily lock you out of editing this information.

If you cannot change your age because you are within the 60-day window, you will have to wait until that period passes. There is no way to speed this up or request an exception.

Key Takeaways

  • Your age is stored in your Birth Date field, which you reach through Settings and Privacy > Settings > Personal Information > Birth Date.
  • Facebook enforces a 60-day waiting period between age changes to prevent misuse of account security features.
  • If you created your account with an incorrect birth date, you can still edit it, but the 60-day rule applies to all changes after the first one.
  • Changing your age affects what ads appear to you, what groups you can join, and your account's age restrictions.

Step-by-step: editing your age on Facebook

Step 1: Open Facebook and go to your profile by clicking your name or profile picture in the top right corner.

Step 2: Click the three horizontal lines (menu icon) below your cover photo, then select "Settings and Privacy," then "Settings."

Step 3: On the left side, click "Personal Information."

Step 4: Find "Birth Date" in the list. Click the pencil icon next to it to edit.

Step 5: Change the month, day, or year. You can edit any part of the date.

Step 6: Click "Save Changes" at the bottom. Facebook will confirm the change immediately.

What happens if you see an error message

If Facebook tells you that you cannot change your age right now, you are within the 60-day waiting period from your last change. The message will show you the exact date when you can change it again. Mark that date on a calendar and try again after it passes.

If you see a different error — such as "Something went wrong" — try these steps: clear your browser's cache and cookies, log out completely, then log back in. If the problem persists, try using a different web browser or the Facebook app instead of the website.

If you changed your age very recently and Facebook locked you out of Personal Information entirely, wait 24 hours before trying again. This is a temporary security measure and will lift on its own.

Why Facebook limits age changes

Facebook restricts age changes because your birth date controls several account features. Your age determines which ads you see — Facebook does not show alcohol, gambling, or dating ads to people under 18. It also controls which groups you can join, since some groups have age restrictions set by their administrators.

The 60-day limit also prevents account takeover. If someone gains access to your account, they cannot immediately change your age to hide their activity or to change what ads and content appear. The waiting period gives you time to notice the change and secure your account.

Your age is also used to set your account's privacy defaults. Accounts for people under 18 have stricter privacy settings by default, and changing your age can shift these settings.

Changing your age when you created your account with the wrong date

If you signed up for Facebook years ago and entered an incorrect birth date — whether by accident or because you were underage at the time — you can still correct it now. The 60-day rule applies, but you can make the change.

Go through the same steps: Settings and Privacy > Settings > Personal Information > Birth Date. Edit the date to your real birth date and save. If this is your first change to this field, Facebook will not show you a waiting period message.

After you make this first change, the 60-day clock starts. Any future changes will be subject to the waiting period.

What you cannot do with your age on Facebook

You cannot hide your birth date from Facebook entirely — the field is required for all accounts. However, you can control who sees your birth date on your profile. Go to Personal Information, click the audience icon next to Birth Date, and choose "Only Me," "Friends," or "Public." This controls visibility only; Facebook still uses your real birth date internally for ads and restrictions.

You also cannot change your age more than once every 60 days, and there is no way to request an exception or expedited change. If you made a mistake and need to correct it again, you will have to wait the full 60 days.

If you believe your account was hacked and someone changed your age without your permission, report it to Facebook through Settings > Help > Report a Problem. Facebook can investigate, but they cannot override the 60-day rule for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my age on the Facebook app instead of the website?

Yes. Open the app, tap the three horizontal lines at the bottom right, scroll to Settings and Privacy, tap Settings, then Personal Information, then Birth Date. The process is the same and the 60-day rule applies regardless of which platform you use.

What if I turned 18 and need to change my age to unlock adult features?

Change your birth date the same way — go to Personal Information and edit Birth Date. Once you save, your account will immediately update to reflect your new age. If you were under 18 before, your privacy settings may shift to the less restrictive defaults for adults, though you can adjust them manually afterward.

Does changing my age delete my posts or photos?

No. Changing your age does not affect your posts, photos, friends, or any other content on your profile. It only changes what ads you see, what groups you can join, and your account's age-based restrictions.

Can I change my age if I am under 18?

Yes, you can change your age at any time if you have access to your account. However, if you are under 13, Facebook may not allow you to have an account at all. If your account was created when you were under 13, Facebook may disable it once they discover this.

What if the 60-day waiting period has not passed yet?

You will have to wait. There is no override or exception process. Write down the date when you can change it again and try after that date passes. If you made a mistake, you cannot correct it until the waiting period ends.