You can edit a Facebook post up to 24 hours after you publish it

Facebook lets you change the text, links, or images in a post you've already shared. The edit option appears on every post you've made, and the process takes less than a minute. Once you edit a post, Facebook adds a small "Edited" label below the timestamp so people know the content changed.

You cannot edit a post after 24 hours have passed since you published it. If you need to change something older than that, you'll have to delete the original post and write a new one. The 24-hour window applies whether you posted to your own timeline, a group, or a page you manage.

Key Takeaways

  • Find the three-dot menu in the top right corner of the post you want to change, then select "Edit post" from the dropdown.
  • You can change the text, add or remove images, or update links, but you cannot change who the post is shared with after publishing.
  • Facebook shows an "Edited" label on posts you've changed, and anyone who saw the original version will see the updated one.
  • Posts older than 24 hours cannot be edited, so delete and repost if you need to make changes to older content.

Finding the edit option on your post

Look for the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner of the post. On a computer, hover your mouse over the post and the three dots will appear. On a phone or tablet, the three dots are usually visible without hovering.

Tap or click the three dots, and a menu will pop up with several options. Select "Edit post" from this menu. If you don't see "Edit post" as an option, the post is older than 24 hours and cannot be edited.

What you can and cannot change

You can edit the text of your post, add or remove images, change the order of images, or update links you've included. If you posted a photo or video, you can also change the caption that goes with it.

You cannot change the privacy setting after a post is published — if you posted something publicly, you cannot edit it to be visible only to friends. You also cannot change who is tagged in the post through the edit function. To change tags or privacy, you'll need to delete the post and create a new one with the correct settings.

How the edited label appears to others

When you save your changes, Facebook adds the word "Edited" next to the timestamp on your post. Anyone viewing the post will see this label, whether they saw the original version or are viewing it for the first time.

Clicking on the "Edited" label shows a history of when the post was edited, but it does not show what specifically changed. Only you and Facebook can see the full edit history with details about what text or images were altered.

Editing posts on a computer

Open the post on your Facebook timeline or page. Move your mouse to the top right corner of the post until the three-dot menu appears. Click the three dots and select "Edit post" from the menu that opens.

Make your changes in the text box or image area. You can reorder images by dragging them, delete images by clicking the X on each one, or add new images by clicking the photo icon. When you're finished, click "Save" at the bottom of the editing box.

Editing posts on a phone or tablet

Open the Facebook app and find the post you want to change on your timeline or page. Tap the three-dot menu in the top right corner of the post. Select "Edit post" from the options that appear.

Edit the text or images the same way you would when creating a new post. Tap and hold an image to delete it, or tap the plus icon to add new images. When you're done, tap "Save" at the bottom of the screen.

What happens if you delete and repost instead

If a post is older than 24 hours or you need to change the privacy setting, deleting and reposting is your only option. When you delete a post, all comments and reactions on that post disappear as well. Anyone who shared or saved the original post will still have their copy, but your version will be gone from your timeline.

Reposting means you start fresh with zero comments and reactions. If the original post had important feedback or discussion, you'll lose that when you delete it. For this reason, it's worth editing within the 24-hour window whenever possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I edit a post I made more than 24 hours ago?

No, Facebook only allows editing within 24 hours of publishing. After that, your only option is to delete the post and create a new one with the corrected information.

Will people get notified when I edit a post?

No notifications are sent when you edit a post. People will see the "Edited" label if they view the post after you change it, but they won't receive a message telling them the post was updated.

Can I edit a post someone else shared on my timeline?

No, you can only edit posts you created yourself. If someone else posted something on your timeline, you can delete it or hide it, but you cannot edit the text or images.

What if I edit a post and then want to undo the changes?

Facebook does not have an undo feature for edits. Once you save your changes, they're permanent. If you need to revert to the original text or images, you'll have to edit the post again and manually restore the old content.

Does editing a post change when it appears in people's feeds?

No, editing a post does not bump it back to the top of people's feeds or change when it was originally posted. The timestamp stays the same, and only the "Edited" label is added.