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

To create a new Facebook account, go to facebook.com on any web browser or open the Facebook app on your phone. Click the "Create New Facebook Account" button on the login page. Facebook will ask for your name, email address or phone number, password, birth date, and gender. After you fill in these fields and click "Sign Up", Facebook sends a confirmation code to your email or phone — enter that code to finish creating your account.

Once your account is active, you can add a profile picture, write a bio, and start connecting with people. Your account is ready to use immediately, though some features like messaging may have brief delays if Facebook needs to verify your identity.

Key Takeaways

  • You need either an email address or a phone number, a password you create yourself, your birth date, and your real name to start the account creation process.
  • Facebook sends a confirmation code to verify your email or phone number before your account becomes fully active.
  • You can use your account right away, but adding a profile picture and some basic information helps other people find and recognize you.
  • If you already have a Facebook account and want a second one, you can create it using a different email address or phone number.

What information Facebook requires during signup

Facebook asks for your first and last name as they appear in real life — the site has rules against fake names, though you can change your display name later in settings. You must provide your birth date so Facebook can enforce age restrictions (the minimum age is 13 in most countries). You also choose your gender from a dropdown menu, though you can change this in your profile settings after signup.

For contact information, you enter either an email address or a phone number. If you use an email address, make sure it is one you can access right now — Facebook sends a confirmation code there within seconds. If you use a phone number, Facebook texts the code instead. You create your own password at this step; Facebook does not assign one for you. Use a password you have not used on other websites.

How to confirm your email or phone number

After you submit the signup form, Facebook displays a screen asking you to enter a confirmation code. Check your email inbox (including the spam folder) or your text messages for a message from Facebook containing a six-digit code. Type that code into the box Facebook shows you and click "Confirm".

If you do not receive the code within a few minutes, click "Didn't get a code?" and Facebook will send another one. If you signed up with a phone number but want to use email instead, or vice versa, you can go back and change it before confirming. Once you enter the correct code, your account is created and you can log in.

Setting up your profile after signup

Your account works immediately after confirmation, but adding information helps people find you and know who you are. Click on your profile picture icon in the top right corner and select "Edit Profile". From there, you can upload a profile picture, add a cover photo, write a bio, and list your hometown, workplace, or school.

You do not have to fill in all of these fields right away — you can add them later whenever you want. Your profile is visible to other Facebook users based on your privacy settings, which you can adjust in Settings and Privacy. By default, some information is visible to everyone and some only to your friends; you control each piece separately.

Privacy and security settings to review

Before you start using your account, spend a few minutes in Settings and Privacy to control who can see your posts and contact you. Click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right on mobile or top right on desktop, then select "Settings and Privacy" and then "Settings". Under "Privacy", you can choose whether your posts are visible to everyone, friends only, or only to you.

You can also control who can send you friend requests, who can message you, and whether your account appears in search results. Facebook's default settings are fairly open — if you want more privacy, you will need to change these yourself. You can adjust these settings at any time, so you do not have to get them perfect on day one.

Creating a second account if you already have one

If you already have a Facebook account and want to create another one, use a different email address or phone number for the new account. You cannot use the same contact information for two accounts — Facebook will show an error message if you try. You can use the same name on both accounts if you want, though many people use a variation or nickname for a second account.

Log out of your first account before signing up for the second one, or use a different browser or device. Once both accounts exist, you can switch between them by clicking your profile picture and selecting "Switch Account" from the menu. This saves you from logging out and back in each time.

Troubleshooting common signup problems

If Facebook says your email address is already in use, that email is connected to an existing account. You can recover that account if it is yours by clicking "Forgot Password" on the login page. If the account is not yours, use a different email address to create a new one.

If you do not receive a confirmation code, check your spam or junk folder — confirmation emails sometimes land there. Make sure you typed your email address or phone number correctly on the signup form. If you still do not receive a code after waiting five minutes, click "Didn't get a code?" and request a new one. If Facebook asks you to verify your identity with a photo ID, follow those instructions — this usually happens when the site detects unusual signup activity and is a security measure, not a sign that something is wrong.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I create a Facebook account without an email address?

Yes, you can use a phone number instead. Facebook accepts either an email address or a mobile phone number during signup. You will receive the confirmation code by text message if you choose the phone number route.

What happens if I forget my password right after creating my account?

Go to facebook.com and click "Forgot Password" on the login page. Enter your email address or phone number, and Facebook sends you a link to reset your password. You can create a new password and log in immediately.

Do I have to use my real name on Facebook?

Facebook's rules require you to use the name you go by in everyday life during signup. However, you can change your display name in your profile settings after your account is created, and you can change it back whenever you want. Facebook may ask you to confirm your real name if you change it too many times.

Can someone else create a Facebook account using my email address?

No. Facebook will not let anyone create an account with an email address that is already connected to another account. If someone tries, they will see an error message. If you think someone is trying to do this, change your password immediately.

How long does it take for my new account to be fully active?

Your account is active as soon as you confirm your email or phone number, usually within seconds. You can start using it right away, though some features like messaging may have brief delays while Facebook verifies your identity.