The fastest way to change your background

Open your Canva design and click the Background tab on the left sidebar. A color picker will appear. Click any color swatch to apply it instantly, or click the plus icon next to "Color" to open a full color palette where you can choose from millions of shades or enter a specific hex code.

If you don't see the Background tab, make sure you're working on an editable design (not a locked template). Templates sometimes have background elements that act like regular objects instead — in that case, click the background directly on the canvas and delete it, then use the Background tab to add a new one.

The background color applies to the entire canvas behind all your text and images. It's separate from any background images or shapes you add on top.

Key Takeaways

  • Click the Background tab on the left sidebar, then select a color from the swatches or open the full palette to choose any shade.
  • You can enter a hex code directly if you need a specific color that matches your brand or another design.
  • If your template has a background element that won't change, click it on the canvas and delete it first, then set a new background color.
  • Gradient backgrounds (color fading from one shade to another) are available in the Background tab under the color options.

Using the color picker to find the exact shade you want

Click the plus icon next to "Color" in the Background tab to open Canva's full color picker. You'll see a large color square on the left and a vertical rainbow bar on the right. Click the rainbow bar first to choose your base hue (red, blue, green, etc.), then click anywhere in the large square to pick how light or dark that color should be.

If you have a specific color in mind — a brand color, a color from a photo, or a shade you've used elsewhere — use the eyedropper tool. It looks like a small dropper icon and lets you click any color on your screen to sample it. This is faster than trying to match a shade by eye.

At the bottom of the color picker, you'll see a text field showing the hex code (a six-character code like #FF5733). You can paste a hex code directly into this field if you already know the exact color you want.

Applying gradients instead of solid colors

A gradient is a smooth fade from one color to another. In the Background tab, click "Gradient" instead of "Color" to see gradient options. Canva offers preset gradients, or you can create your own by clicking the gradient preview to open the gradient editor.

In the gradient editor, you'll see two color stops (circles) at each end of a line. Click either circle to change that color using the color picker. You can add more color stops by clicking anywhere along the line, creating fades between three or more colors. Drag the circles left or right to control where the color shift happens.

Use the angle dial to rotate the direction the gradient flows across your canvas — 0 degrees is left to right, 90 degrees is top to bottom, and so on.

Removing or resetting your background

To remove the background color entirely and make it transparent, click the Background tab and look for a "Transparent" or "None" option at the top of the color swatches. Click it to clear the background. This is useful if you're exporting your design as a PNG file and want to layer it over other images later.

If you've made changes and want to go back to the original background, click the undo arrow at the top of the screen (or press Ctrl+Z on Windows, Command+Z on Mac) to step backward through your edits.

Why your background color might not be changing

If you click a color but nothing happens, you may have selected a different element by mistake. Look at the top of the left sidebar — it should say "Background" next to a small background icon. If it says something else (like "Text" or the name of an image), click elsewhere on the canvas to deselect, then click the Background tab again.

Some Canva templates lock the background to prevent accidental changes. If the Background tab is grayed out or won't respond, right-click the background on the canvas and look for an "Unlock" option. If there's no unlock option, the template's background may be a design element you need to delete first.

On mobile (Canva's phone app), the Background tab works the same way but may be labeled differently or hidden under a menu. Tap the three-line menu icon if you don't see the sidebar, then look for "Background" or "Design" options.

Saving and reusing your background color

Once you've chosen a background color you like, Canva saves it to your "Recent colors" section at the top of the color swatches. The next time you open the color picker, you'll see it there for quick access.

If you want to use the same background across multiple designs, note the hex code (visible in the color picker) and save it somewhere — a note in your phone, a document, or a design system file. Then paste that hex code into any new design's color picker to match it exactly.

Canva also lets you create brand kits that store your colors, fonts, and logos. If you use Canva regularly for a business or project, setting up a brand kit means your background colors (and all your other brand colors) are one click away in every new design.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use an image as my background instead of a solid color?

Yes. In the Background tab, click "Upload image" or "Search images" to add a photo or graphic as your background. You can also drag and drop an image directly onto the canvas, then right-click it and send it to the back so other elements sit on top of it.

What's the difference between background color and a shape behind my text?

Background color fills the entire canvas. A shape is a separate object you can move, resize, or delete independently. Use background color for a simple, consistent look; use shapes when you want colored blocks behind only certain parts of your design.

How do I make my background partially transparent?

Click the color in the Background tab, then look for an opacity or transparency slider (usually shown as a percentage or a line with a circle). Drag it left to make the color more see-through. This works best if you're exporting as PNG and layering the design over something else.

Can I change the background color of just one page in a multi-page design?

Yes. Each page in a Canva design is separate. Click the page thumbnail on the left, then use the Background tab to set that page's color. Other pages keep their own backgrounds.

Why does my background color look different on my phone than on my computer?

Screen brightness and color settings vary between devices. The color itself hasn't changed — your phone or computer is just displaying it differently. If you need the color to look the same everywhere, use the hex code to ensure you're using the exact same shade on every device.