Open Instagram and start a new story

To change your story background color, open the Instagram app and tap your profile picture or the "Your Story" button at the bottom left of the screen. This takes you to the camera view where you can create a new story.

You do not need a photo or video to change the background color. You can create a solid-color story with just text, or leave it blank and post the color alone. Either way, the next step is the same.

Key Takeaways

  • Tap the paint bucket icon at the top of the story camera to access background color options.
  • Swipe left and right across the color bar to choose from preset colors, or tap the circle to pick any color manually.
  • A gradient background uses two colors that blend together, while a solid background is one flat color.
  • You can change the background color after you have added text or stickers, or start with a blank colored canvas.

Tap the paint bucket icon to open color options

At the top of the camera screen, you will see several icons in a row. Look for the paint bucket icon — it looks like a bucket pouring paint. Tap it to open the color picker.

If you do not see the paint bucket icon, swipe up from the bottom of the screen or look at the top toolbar again. The icon should be visible once you are in the story camera mode and have not yet taken a photo.

Choose a preset color or create a custom one

After you tap the paint bucket, a row of color circles appears at the bottom of the screen. Swipe left and right across these circles to see more preset colors. Tap any circle to apply that color as your background.

If you want a color that is not in the presets, tap the circle with a plus sign or the color wheel icon at the end of the row. This opens a full color picker where you can tap anywhere on the gradient to select any shade you want. Once you have chosen your color, tap outside the picker or press done to apply it.

Switch between solid and gradient backgrounds

By default, the paint bucket tool applies a solid background color. If you want a gradient — a blend of two colors — look for a gradient icon or toggle near the color options. Tap it to switch to gradient mode.

In gradient mode, you will see two color circles instead of one. Tap each circle to choose a different color, and Instagram will blend them together across your story background. Swipe the gradient direction if the option appears to change how the colors flow.

Add text or stickers on top of your colored background

Once your background color is set, you can add text by tapping the "Aa" icon at the top of the screen. Type your message, choose a font and text color, and position it on the screen. The text will appear on top of your colored background.

You can also add stickers, emojis, or drawings by tapping the sticker icon or drawing tool. Everything you add will layer on top of the background color you chose. If you change your mind about the color, you can tap the paint bucket again to pick a different one.

Post your story or save it as a draft

Once you are happy with your colored background and any text or stickers you added, tap "Your Story" at the bottom right to post it. Your story will be visible to your followers for 24 hours unless you change your privacy settings.

If you want to save your story without posting it right away, look for a "Save" or "Draft" option. Some versions of Instagram let you save stories to your camera roll instead of posting them directly. Check your app version to see which options are available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a photo as my story background instead of a solid color?

Yes. Instead of tapping the paint bucket, take a photo or video with the camera, or swipe up to choose an image from your phone. You can then add text and stickers on top of the photo. The paint bucket is only for solid or gradient color backgrounds.

Why is the paint bucket icon not showing up?

Make sure you are in the story camera view and have not yet taken a photo or selected an image. If you have already added a photo to your story, the paint bucket may not be available. Try starting a new story from scratch, or look for a background or filter option in the top toolbar instead.

Can I save a colored background to use again later?

Instagram does not have a built-in way to save custom colors for future stories. However, the preset colors you use will appear in your recent colors row, so you can quickly tap them again on your next story. If you create a custom color, write down the hex code if it displays, or take a screenshot to remember the shade.

Does changing my story background color affect my feed posts?

No. Story background colors only apply to your stories, which disappear after 24 hours. Your feed posts use their own settings and are not affected by story colors. You can change story backgrounds as often as you want without changing anything on your profile.