How Many Profiles Can You Have on Netflix? 

Netflix has transformed the way we consume television and movies by offering a variety of personalized profiles, allowing households to tailor viewing experiences for each member. If you’ve ever wondered, “How many profiles can you have on Netflix?” you’re far from alone. This question has become exceedingly common as more users share accounts within families or households, or split them among friends. Understanding how Netflix handles profiles can help you manage your account more effectively, safeguard your privacy, and ensure your viewing preferences and recommendations remain personalized.

TLDR:

Netflix allows up to five individual profiles on a single account, regardless of the plan you choose. Each profile can have its own viewing history, recommendations, and maturity ratings. However, the number of screens that can be used to stream content simultaneously depends on your subscription tier. You cannot create more than five profiles, and attempting to do so will prompt a notification that you’ve reached the maximum limit.

What Are Netflix Profiles?

Netflix profiles are essentially user-specific spaces within a single Netflix account. They are designed to offer:

• Personalized recommendations based on individual viewing history
• Customized watchlists (My List)
• Separate playback histories, preferences, and settings
• Parental controls and maturity ratings for kids’ profiles

This means that a family of five users sharing one Netflix account can each have their own digital space, where one user’s horror movie binge does not affect another’s romantic comedy suggestions.

How Many Profiles Can You Create on One Netflix Account?

As of the latest update, Netflix permits users to create up to five profiles per account, regardless of the chosen subscription plan—Basic, Standard, or Premium. These profiles can include one designated KIDS profile to ensure age-appropriate content for younger viewers.

If you attempt to add a sixth profile, Netflix will alert you that you’ve reached the maximum number allowed. This restriction helps Netflix manage usage within intended limits and discourages widespread account sharing beyond households.

Types of Profiles Available

When creating new profiles, you have the option to designate them as either Standard or Kids profiles. Here’s how they differ:

• Standard Profiles: Offer full access to all age-appropriate content and allow users to set individual preferences and viewing histories.
• Kids Profiles: Come with parental control settings and display only child-friendly content. They feature a simplified interface with colorful design elements tailored for children.

Impact of Subscription Plan on Profile Usage

Although all subscription tiers allow for the creation of up to five profiles, the number of screens that can stream Netflix simultaneously varies by plan:

• Basic Plan: 1 screen at a time
• Standard Plan: 2 screens at a time
• Premium Plan: 4 screens at a time

This distinction is important: multiple profiles do not necessarily mean multiple people can stream Netflix at the same moment. For example, if you have the Basic plan with five profiles, only one user can watch at a time. Upgrading to a higher-tier plan allows more people to stream concurrently.

Managing Your Netflix Profiles

You can manage your profiles easily from both the web browser and the Netflix app. Here are the steps to create, edit, or delete a profile:

How to Create a New Profile:

1. Log in to your Netflix account.
2. On the profile selection screen, click on “Add Profile.”
3. Enter a profile name, select if it’s a Kids profile (if applicable), and click “Continue.”

How to Modify or Delete a Profile:

1. Select the profile icon and navigate to “Manage Profiles.”
2. Choose the profile you wish to edit.
3. Change the name, icon, or maturity settings as needed.
4. To delete a profile, select “Delete Profile.”

Note: You cannot delete the primary profile that is created when you sign up for Netflix. This profile is linked to the account holder and remains the default.

Are Netflix Profiles Shared Across Devices?

Yes, Netflix profiles are stored in the cloud and are accessible from any device that supports Netflix, including smartphones, smart TVs, tablets, desktop browsers, and streaming devices like Roku or Chromecast. This means that your personalized experience follows you wherever you log in — as long as you’re using the same account and profile.

Profiles vs. Simultaneous Streaming: Understanding the Difference

One of the most common misconceptions is equating the number of profiles with the number of simultaneous streams allowed. Let’s clarify that:

• You can have up to five profiles per account.
• The number of streams allowed at once is governed by your plan type.

This translates into a practical need for coordination among users sharing an account. Often, large households opt for the Premium plan to make the most of their five-profile limit by enabling multiple concurrent streams.

What Happens if Multiple Users Try to Stream Over the Limit?

If your plan only allows two streams and a third person attempts to watch content at the same time, they will receive a notification that the maximum number of streams is currently in use. The only solutions at that point are either to wait for someone to stop watching or to upgrade the plan for more simultaneous streams.

Geo-Location and Profile Access

Netflix has begun cracking down on password and account sharing across different households. They emphasize that accounts are intended for use within one household. Using profiles across various geographical locations consistently might prompt Netflix to flag the activity, potentially limiting access or requiring additional verification.

Netflix may eventually require users to verify that all profiles belong to one household. They have introduced “extra member” fees in certain regions, which charge an additional cost for adding people outside your primary household.

Parental Controls and Maturity Levels

Parents can have peace of mind when setting up their children’s profiles. Netflix allows for:

• Maturity ratings based on the child’s age group
• PIN protection for adult content or specific content categories
• Viewing activity tracking for kids’ profiles

This helps ensure children are only exposed to age-appropriate content while also allowing parents to monitor the types of videos being consumed.

Final Thoughts

The ability to create up to five personalized profiles on one Netflix account reflects the platform’s strong emphasis on user experience. Whether you’re a solo viewer who enjoys segmenting genres into different profiles or a family organizing access for everyone, Netflix profiles make personalization possible without having to maintain separate accounts.

However, while profiles offer personalization, subscription plans dictate how Netflix is actually used — specifically, how many people can watch at once. Understanding this balance is crucial to getting the most value out of a Netflix subscription while staying within its usage policies.

If you’re hitting limits or encountering streaming restrictions frequently, consider reviewing who uses your account and whether it might be time to upgrade your plan or manage profiles more strategically.