Change a calendar's color in three steps
Open Google Calendar on your computer or phone. Find the calendar you want to change in the left sidebar under "My calendars" or "Other calendars". Click or tap the three dots next to the calendar name, then select "Settings" from the menu that appears. Choose a new color from the palette — Google offers about 24 preset colors. The change takes effect immediately across all your devices.
On a phone, the process is nearly identical. Tap the three dots next to the calendar name, tap "Settings", scroll down to "Color", and pick from the available options. Desktop and mobile versions sync automatically, so you'll see the new color everywhere you access Google Calendar.
If you want to change the color of a single event rather than the whole calendar, open the event, click the colored circle next to the calendar name, and pick a different color. That event alone will display in the new color while the rest of the calendar stays the same.
Key Takeaways
- Right-click or tap the three dots next to any calendar name to reach the color menu without opening the calendar itself.
- Calendar colors sync across all devices within minutes, so you don't need to change the color separately on your phone and computer.
- Individual events can have different colors than their parent calendar, which is useful for marking urgent or special items.
- Google Calendar comes with preset colors only — you cannot create custom hex colors or upload your own palette.
Why you might want different calendar colors
Color-coding calendars makes it faster to see at a glance which events belong to which part of your life. A work calendar in blue, a personal calendar in green, and a shared family calendar in orange become instantly recognizable without reading labels. This is especially useful if you have many calendars open at once or if you share calendars with other people.
Changing colors also helps when you're troubleshooting calendar problems. If an event isn't showing up, you can change the calendar color to make sure the calendar itself is visible and not hidden. A color change confirms the calendar is active and syncing.
Changing colors on a desktop computer
In Google Calendar on a computer, locate the calendar name in the left sidebar. Hover your mouse over it until three dots appear to the right of the name. Click those dots and select "Settings" from the dropdown menu. The settings page opens in a new tab or window.
Scroll down to the "Color" section. You'll see a row of colored circles representing Google's preset palette. Click the color you want. The page updates immediately, and you can close the settings tab — your calendar now displays in the new color on your main calendar view.
If you don't see the three dots when you hover, try right-clicking directly on the calendar name instead. A context menu will appear with the same "Settings" option.
Changing colors on a phone or tablet
Open the Google Calendar app on your phone or tablet. In the left sidebar, find the calendar you want to change. Tap the three dots next to its name — on some phones, you may need to swipe left on the calendar name first to reveal the dots.
Tap "Settings" from the menu. Scroll down until you see the "Color" option. Tap it to open the color palette, then tap the color you want to use. The change saves automatically when you return to your calendar view.
The mobile app's color palette is the same as the desktop version, so you'll see the same options whether you're on a phone or computer. If you change a calendar's color on your phone, it will appear in that new color the next time you open Google Calendar on your computer.
Changing the color of a single event
Sometimes you want one event to stand out without changing the entire calendar. Open the event by clicking or tapping it. Look for a small colored circle next to the calendar name — this shows the event's current color. Click or tap that circle to open the color menu.
Select a different color from the palette. The event now displays in that color on your calendar, while all other events in that calendar keep their original color. This is useful for marking deadlines, important meetings, or events that need your attention.
If you change your mind, you can always change the event color back or pick a different one. The calendar's overall color remains unchanged — only that specific event is affected.
What to do if the color won't change
If you change a calendar's color but it doesn't update, refresh your browser or close and reopen the Google Calendar app. Sometimes the change takes a few seconds to sync, especially if you're on a slow internet connection.
If the color still hasn't changed after refreshing, check whether the calendar is hidden. A hidden calendar won't display its color because it's not showing any events. Look in the left sidebar for the calendar name and make sure it's checked or has a checkmark next to it. If it's unchecked, click or tap it to show the calendar again.
On a phone, if the three dots don't appear next to a calendar name, try updating the Google Calendar app from your device's app store. Older versions sometimes have display issues that prevent you from accessing the color menu.
Shared calendars and color changes
When you share a calendar with someone else, each person can choose their own color for it. If you change the color of a shared calendar on your account, only your view changes — the other people who have access to that calendar will still see whatever color they chose. This means you and a coworker can both look at the same shared calendar but see it in different colors on your screens.
If you're the calendar owner and you want everyone to see a specific color, you'll need to ask them to change it on their end. Google Calendar doesn't have a way to force a color choice across all users of a shared calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I create a custom color that's not in Google's preset palette?
No. Google Calendar only offers the preset colors in its palette — you cannot enter a hex code or RGB value to create a custom color. You're limited to the colors Google provides, which number around 24 options across different hues and shades.
If I change a calendar's color, will it change for everyone who has access to it?
No. Each person who has access to a shared calendar can set their own color for it independently. Your color choice affects only your view. Other people will see whatever color they selected for that same calendar.
Does changing a calendar's color affect the events themselves or just how they display?
It only affects how the events display. Changing a calendar's color doesn't change any data, doesn't affect notifications, and doesn't change who can see the events. It's purely a visual change on your screen.
What happens to event colors if I change the calendar color?
Events keep their individual colors. If you've set a specific event to a different color than its calendar, that event stays in its chosen color even after you change the calendar's color. Only events that are using the calendar's default color will shift to the new calendar color.
Can I undo a color change?
Yes. Go back to the calendar's settings and pick a different color, or choose the original color if you remember it. There's no "undo" button, but you can change the color as many times as you want with no penalty or limit.