Creating a board takes three steps: tap the plus icon, name your board, and choose who can see it
A Pinterest board is a collection you create to save pins on a single topic. When you create a board, you choose its name, description, and privacy settings. You can then save pins to that board from anywhere on Pinterest, and other people can find and follow your board if you make it public.
On the Pinterest app or website, tap or click the plus icon (usually in the top right or bottom menu), select "Create board", type a name, and choose whether the board is private (only you see it), secret (only people you invite see it), or public (anyone can find it). That's the complete process — you don't need to add pins before you finish creating it.
Key Takeaways
- You create a board by tapping the plus icon, naming it, and selecting a privacy level — the whole process takes under a minute.
- Private boards are visible only to you; secret boards are visible only to people you invite; public boards appear in search results and can be followed by anyone.
- You can add a description and category to your board after creating it, which helps other people understand what the board contains.
- You start saving pins to a board immediately after creating it, or you can create an empty board and add pins later.
Where to find the create board button
On the Pinterest mobile app, the plus icon appears at the bottom of the screen in the navigation menu. Tap it and select "Create board" from the menu that appears. On the Pinterest website, the plus icon is in the top right corner next to your profile picture — click it and choose "Create board".
If you are saving a pin and want to create a new board for it at the same time, you can also create a board from the save menu. When you tap or click the save button on a pin, a list of your existing boards appears. At the top of that list is an option to create a new board — select it, name the board, and the pin will save to it automatically.
Naming your board and writing a description
Your board name should describe what the board contains — for example, "Kitchen Remodels", "Vegetarian Recipes", or "Living Room Inspiration". Keep the name clear and specific so that other people (if your board is public) understand what they will find there.
After you create the board, you can add a description by opening the board and tapping or clicking the three-dot menu, then selecting "Edit board". The description field lets you add more detail — for example, "Modern kitchen designs under $50,000" or "Easy weeknight dinners for families". You can also assign the board to a category, which helps Pinterest organize it and makes it easier for other people to discover.
Understanding privacy settings for boards
When you create a board, you choose one of three privacy levels. A private board is visible only to you — no one else can see it, even if they have your Pinterest username. Use private boards for personal planning, ideas you are not ready to share, or collections you want to keep to yourself.
A secret board is invisible in search results and does not appear on your profile, but you can invite specific people to view and save pins to it. Secret boards are useful for collaborative planning — for example, a wedding board you share with your partner or a gift-giving board you share with family members.
A public board appears in search results, shows on your profile, and anyone can follow it. Public boards are the default for most users and are how people discover your ideas and interests. You can change a board's privacy setting at any time by opening the board, tapping or clicking the three-dot menu, selecting "Edit board", and choosing a new privacy level.
Saving pins to a board after you create it
Once your board exists, you can save pins to it from anywhere on Pinterest. When you find a pin you want to save, tap or click the save button (usually a bookmark or plus icon). A menu appears showing your boards — select the board you want to save the pin to, and it appears there immediately.
You can save the same pin to multiple boards if it fits more than one topic. You can also move a pin from one board to another by opening the pin, tapping or clicking the three-dot menu, and selecting "Move pin". This is useful if you change your mind about which board a pin belongs on, or if you want to reorganize your boards later.
Organizing and managing multiple boards
As you create more boards, you can organize them by dragging them into a new order on your profile. On the app, open your profile, tap "Boards", and long-press a board to drag it to a new position. On the website, go to your profile, click "Boards", and drag boards to reorder them.
You can also delete a board by opening it, tapping or clicking the three-dot menu, and selecting "Delete board". Deleting a board removes all the pins in it — Pinterest will ask you to confirm before it deletes. If you want to keep the pins but remove the board, you can move them to another board first, then delete the empty board.
Inviting others to collaborate on a secret board
If you create a secret board, you can invite other Pinterest users to view and save pins to it. Open the board, tap or click the three-dot menu, and select "Invite collaborators". Enter the Pinterest username or email address of the person you want to invite. They will receive a notification and can accept or decline the invitation.
Collaborators can save pins to the board and see all the pins that other collaborators have saved, but they cannot delete the board or change its privacy settings. Only the person who created the board can do those things. This makes secret boards useful for group planning without giving everyone full control.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change a board from private to public after I create it?
Yes. Open the board, tap or click the three-dot menu, select "Edit board", and choose a new privacy level. You can switch between private, secret, and public at any time. If you change a private board to public, all the pins in it will become visible to everyone.
What happens to my pins if I delete a board?
All the pins in the board are deleted along with it. If you want to keep the pins, move them to another board before you delete the board. You can move pins one at a time or select multiple pins at once and move them together.
Can someone else create a board on my account?
No. Only you can create boards on your account. Other people can save pins to a secret board if you invite them as collaborators, but they cannot create new boards. If you want to share a board with someone, make it secret and invite them to collaborate.
Do I have to add a description when I create a board?
No. The description is optional. You only need to enter a board name and choose a privacy level. You can add a description later by editing the board, or leave it blank if you prefer.
Can I see how many people follow my public board?
Yes. Open the board and look at the top of the page — it shows the number of followers your board has. You can also see how many pins are in the board and when it was created.