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

You can register for Instagram through the mobile app or a web browser. Both routes work the same way: you provide a phone number or email, create a password, add a username, and confirm your identity. Instagram will ask for your name and may suggest a profile picture, but you can skip those steps and fill them in later.

The process is free. Instagram does not charge to create an account or use the basic features. The company makes money from advertising, not from user fees.

Key Takeaways

  • You need either a phone number or email address to register, plus a password you have not used elsewhere.
  • Instagram will send a confirmation code to your phone or email — you must enter this code to finish creating your account.
  • Your username is public and permanent; choose one you are comfortable with other people seeing.
  • You can add a profile picture, bio, and other details after registration, or leave them blank and fill them in later.

Registering through the Instagram app on your phone

Download Instagram from the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play (Android). Open the app and tap "Create new account" at the bottom of the login screen. You will see two options: sign up with your phone number or with your email address. Either one works — choose whichever you use more regularly.

Enter your phone number or email, then tap "Next". Instagram will send a six-digit code to that phone or email. Open the message and type the code into the app. If you do not see the code within a few minutes, check your spam folder or tap "Resend code" in the app.

After you enter the code, Instagram asks for your full name and a password. The password must be at least six characters long. Use a password you have not used on any other website or app — if Instagram's servers are breached, a password used elsewhere puts all your accounts at risk. Tap "Next" when you are done.

Registering through a web browser

Go to instagram.com in any web browser. Click "Create new account" in the middle of the page. You will see a form asking for your email address, full name, username, and password. Fill in each field, then click "Sign up".

Instagram will send a confirmation code to your email. Check your inbox (and spam folder if you do not see it) and copy the code. Return to Instagram and paste the code into the box that appears. Click "Confirm" to finish.

Choosing a username

Your username is the name other people use to find you and tag you in posts. It appears in your profile URL — for example, instagram.com/your_username — and is visible to anyone on Instagram. You cannot have spaces in your username, but you can use periods and underscores.

Instagram will suggest usernames based on your full name, but you do not have to use them. If the username you want is taken, try adding a number or underscore. You can change your username later by going to your profile, tapping "Edit profile", and changing the username field. You can change it once every 14 days.

Adding a profile picture and bio

After you confirm your email or phone number, Instagram shows you a screen asking if you want to add a profile picture. You can take a photo with your phone's camera, upload one from your phone's photo library, or skip this step. If you skip it, your profile will show a blank circle until you add a picture later.

To add or change your profile picture after registration, go to your profile (tap the person icon at the bottom right), tap "Edit profile", and tap your current profile picture or the blank circle. You can then take a new photo or choose one from your phone.

Your bio is a short description of yourself that appears on your profile. You can add one during setup or leave it blank. To add or edit your bio later, go to "Edit profile" and type in the bio field. You have 150 characters.

What to do if registration fails

If you do not receive the confirmation code, check that you entered your phone number or email correctly. If the number or email is right but the code does not arrive, wait a few minutes — Instagram's system can be slow. Check your spam or junk folder; some email providers filter Instagram's messages.

If you still do not see the code, tap "Resend code" in the app or on the web. If that does not work, try the other method: if you registered with a phone number, try registering with an email address instead, or vice versa.

If Instagram says your username is taken or invalid, try a different one. Usernames with numbers, periods, or underscores are more likely to be available. If you see an error message about your password, make sure it is at least six characters long and does not contain spaces.

Keeping your new account secure

After you register, Instagram will ask if you want to turn on two-factor authentication. This adds a second step to logging in: after you enter your password, Instagram sends a code to your phone or email, and you must enter that code to get in. Turning this on makes your account harder to break into, especially if someone learns your password.

You can also set a strong password by using a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid passwords based on your name, birthday, or other information someone could guess. If you use the same password on multiple sites, change it on those other sites too — if one site is breached, your Instagram account becomes a target.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to use my real name?

No. The name field is separate from your username. You can enter any name you want, and you can change it anytime by going to "Edit profile". Your username is what other people see and use to find you.

Can I register without a phone number or email?

No. Instagram requires one or the other to send you a confirmation code. This is how they verify you are a real person and not a bot.

What if I forget my password after I register?

Go to the Instagram login page and tap "Forgot password?" Enter your username or email, and Instagram will send you a link to reset it. Click the link and create a new password.

Can I have more than one Instagram account?

Yes. You can register multiple accounts using different email addresses or phone numbers. After you create the second account, you can switch between them by tapping your profile picture at the bottom right and selecting "Switch accounts".

Is Instagram free to use?

Yes. Creating an account and using Instagram's basic features — posting photos, following people, sending messages — costs nothing. Instagram makes money from ads that appear in your feed.