Creating a Facebook account takes about five minutes and requires only an email address or phone number, your name, and a password
Go to facebook.com on a computer or open the Facebook app on your phone. On the homepage, you will see a section labeled "Create New Facebook Account" with fields for your first name, last name, email address or phone number, password, birth date, and gender. Fill in each field, then click or tap the blue "Sign Up" button. Facebook will send a confirmation code to your email or phone — enter that code to finish creating your account.
Once you confirm your account, you can start using Facebook immediately. You will be asked to add a profile picture and fill out basic information like where you live and where you went to school, but these steps are optional. You can skip them and add details later.
Key Takeaways
- You need a valid email address or phone number, your real name, a password you choose, your birth date, and your gender to create an account.
- Facebook will send a confirmation code to verify your email or phone number before your account becomes fully active.
- You can create an account on facebook.com using a web browser or through the Facebook mobile app for iPhone or Android.
- After confirming your account, you can customize your profile picture and bio, but these are not required to start using Facebook.
What information Facebook requires at signup
Facebook asks for your first and last name, an email address or phone number, a password, your birth date, and your gender. Use your real name — Facebook's policies require it, and using a fake name can result in your account being locked or removed later. The email or phone number must be one you can access, because Facebook sends a confirmation code there.
Your password should be something only you know. Facebook recommends using a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols to make it harder for others to guess. Write it down somewhere safe if you think you might forget it.
Your birth date determines whether Facebook considers you old enough to use the platform — you must be at least 13 years old. Facebook uses your gender to help customize your experience, but you can change this setting later in your account settings.
Step-by-step process on a computer
Open any web browser and go to facebook.com. On the homepage, look for the white box on the right side labeled "Create New Facebook Account." Click the blue "Sign Up" button below the input fields.
A popup window will appear with fields for your first name, last name, email or phone number, password, birth date, and gender. Fill in each field completely. For your email, use one you check regularly. For your password, type something you will remember but others cannot easily guess. Click "Sign Up" when all fields are complete.
Facebook will send a confirmation code to your email inbox or as a text message. Go back to facebook.com, enter that code in the box that appears, and click "Confirm." Your account is now active and ready to use.
Step-by-step process on a phone or tablet
Download the Facebook app from the Apple App Store if you use an iPhone or iPad, or from Google Play if you use an Android phone. Open the app and tap "Create New Facebook Account" at the bottom of the login screen.
The app will walk you through the same fields: first name, last name, email or phone number, password, birth date, and gender. Tap each field and type your information. When you reach the gender field, tap the dropdown menu to choose your option. Tap "Sign Up" when finished.
You will receive a confirmation code by email or text. Return to the Facebook app, enter the code in the box provided, and tap "Confirm." Your account is now ready, and you can start exploring Facebook.
Choosing a strong password you will not forget
Your password is the key to your account. If someone else learns it, they can log in as you, see your messages, post on your behalf, and change your settings. A strong password is at least 8 characters long and includes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols like ! or @.
Avoid using information someone could guess, such as your birth date, your child's name, or your street address. Do not use the same password you use for email, banking, or other important accounts. If one account is hacked, the others remain safe.
If you are worried you will forget your password, write it down on paper and store it somewhere secure at home — not on a sticky note on your monitor. You can also use a password manager app like Bitwarden or 1Password, which stores passwords securely and fills them in automatically.
What to do after your account is confirmed
After you confirm your account, Facebook will ask you to add a profile picture and find friends. You can do these now or skip them and do them later. To add a profile picture, click or tap your profile icon in the top right corner, select "Profile," and look for the camera icon over the blank profile picture space.
To find friends, Facebook will suggest people based on your email contacts or phone contacts if you let it access them. You can also search for people by name using the search bar at the top of the page. When you find someone you know, click or tap "Add Friend" to send them a friend request.
Spend time exploring your settings before you start posting. Go to Settings & Privacy, then Settings, and look at the Privacy section. Here you can control who sees your posts, who can message you, and whether your profile appears in search results. These choices are important and worth thinking through before you share anything.
Troubleshooting common problems during signup
If Facebook says your email address is already in use, you may have created an account before and forgotten about it. Try logging in with that email and the password you think you used. If you cannot remember the password, click "Forgot Password?" on the login page and follow the steps to reset it.
If you do not receive a confirmation code, check your email spam or junk folder — sometimes the code lands there by mistake. If it is not there, go back to the signup page and ask Facebook to send the code again, this time to a different email address or phone number if you have one.
If Facebook rejects your name as "not allowed," it may contain characters or words the system flagged. Try using a simpler version of your name without special characters or accents. If the problem continues, you can change your name after your account is created by going to Settings & Privacy, then Settings, then Personal Information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I create a Facebook account without an email address?
Yes. You can use a phone number instead of an email address during signup. Facebook will send the confirmation code as a text message. You can add an email address to your account later in your settings if you want to.
What happens if I use a fake name on Facebook?
Facebook may lock your account or ask you to change your name to match your real identity. The platform enforces this policy by reviewing accounts that receive reports or that look suspicious. Using your real name from the start avoids this problem.
Can I create more than one Facebook account?
Facebook allows you to have one personal account per person. Creating multiple accounts under different names or email addresses violates Facebook's terms of service and can result in all your accounts being removed. If you need a separate account for business, use Facebook Pages instead.
How do I change my password after I create my account?
Go to Settings & Privacy, then Settings, then Security and Login. Scroll down to "Change Password" and click it. Enter your current password, then type your new password twice to confirm it. Click "Change Password" to save the change.
Is it safe to create a Facebook account with my real phone number?
Yes, it is safe to use your real phone number during signup. Facebook uses it only to send you the confirmation code and to help you recover your account if you forget your password. You can control who sees your phone number in your privacy settings after your account is created.