Change Outlook's color theme in three steps

Outlook lets you switch between a light theme, dark theme, and a few middle-ground options. The steps differ slightly depending on whether you use Outlook on the web, Outlook desktop for Windows, or Outlook for Mac. In all versions, the color setting is in the same general area — usually labeled "Theme" or "Appearance" — and takes effect immediately once you select it.

The color you choose affects the background of your inbox, compose windows, and menus. It does not change the color of individual emails or how messages appear once you open them. If you want to customize colors beyond the built-in themes, some versions of Outlook let you pick accent colors or adjust specific elements, though the options are more limited than in other Microsoft Office programs.

Key Takeaways

  • Outlook offers a light theme, dark theme, and sometimes a "Use System Setting" option that matches your device's overall appearance preference.
  • On Outlook desktop for Windows, go to File > Options > General and look for the "Personalization" section to change your theme.
  • On Outlook on the web, click the Settings gear icon, then select "View all Outlook settings" and navigate to the General section.
  • On Outlook for Mac, open Outlook > Preferences and find the General tab to switch themes.
  • Your theme choice syncs across devices if you use the same Microsoft account, so changing it on one device may affect how it appears on others.

Change theme on Outlook desktop for Windows

Open Outlook and click the File menu in the top left corner. From the menu that appears, select Options near the bottom. A window titled "Outlook Options" will open.

In the left sidebar, click General. Scroll down until you see the Personalization section. You will see a dropdown or set of buttons labeled "Office Theme" or "Choose your theme." The options typically include Light, Dark, and sometimes Colorful or Use System Setting. Click the one you want, then click OK at the bottom of the window. Outlook will restart or refresh, and your new theme will be active.

Change theme on Outlook on the web

Log into Outlook on the web in your browser. In the top right corner, click the Settings gear icon. A small menu will appear. Click View all Outlook settings (or sometimes just Settings, depending on your version).

The settings page will open. On the left sidebar, make sure General is selected. Scroll down to find Themes or Appearance. You will see thumbnail previews of the available themes — usually Light, Dark, and sometimes others. Click the one you prefer. The change takes effect right away; you do not need to click Save or restart.

Change theme on Outlook for Mac

Open Outlook on your Mac. In the menu bar at the very top of the screen, click Outlook, then select Preferences. A preferences window will open.

Click the General icon (usually shown as a gear or similar symbol). Look for a section labeled Appearance or Theme. You will see radio buttons or a dropdown for Light, Dark, or Use System Setting. Select your choice and close the preferences window. The theme will change immediately.

What "Use System Setting" means

If your version of Outlook includes a Use System Setting option, it means Outlook will match whatever appearance preference you have set on your device itself. On Windows, this is usually found in Settings > Personalization > Colors. On Mac, it is in System Preferences > General > Appearance.

If you choose Use System Setting and then change your device's appearance, Outlook will switch along with it. This is useful if you prefer dark mode in the evening and light mode during the day, and you have your device set to switch automatically. If you want Outlook to stay one color regardless of your device setting, choose Light or Dark directly instead.

Sync themes across devices

If you sign into Outlook on multiple devices with the same Microsoft account, your theme choice may sync across them. This means if you change to dark theme on your desktop, you might see dark theme the next time you open Outlook on your phone or tablet. However, the sync is not always instant, and some devices or versions may not support it.

If you want different themes on different devices, you can change the theme on each one separately. The setting is tied to your account, so if sync is turned on, the most recent change you made will eventually override the others. Check your account settings or the device's sync options if you want to control whether themes sync.

Customize accent colors in Outlook

Beyond the main light and dark themes, some versions of Outlook let you pick an accent color — a secondary color used for highlights, buttons, and links. On Outlook desktop for Windows, this option is sometimes in the same Personalization section where you chose your theme, labeled "Office Theme" with options like Blue, Colorful, Dark Gray, or Black.

On Outlook on the web, accent color options may appear in the Themes section as different color variants of the light or dark theme. On Outlook for Mac, accent color customization is more limited; you may only be able to choose between the main themes without picking a specific accent. If you need more detailed color control, consider using Outlook's category colors feature to color-code individual emails instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my Outlook theme affect how other people see my emails?

No. Your theme is a personal display setting that only you see. When you send an email, the recipient sees it in whatever theme they have chosen for their own Outlook. The color scheme you pick does not change the email's content or how it appears to anyone else.

Can I set different themes for different folders or mailboxes?

No. Outlook applies one theme to your entire account at a time. You cannot have dark theme in your inbox and light theme in your calendar, for example. The theme setting is account-wide.

Why does my Outlook theme keep changing back?

If your theme reverts after you change it, check whether you have "Use System Setting" turned on and your device's appearance preference is changing. Also verify that you clicked OK or saved your changes before closing the settings window. If you use Outlook on multiple devices, a sync from another device might override your choice.

Is there a way to make Outlook even darker than the dark theme?

The built-in dark theme is the darkest option Outlook offers. If it is not dark enough for your needs, check your device's display settings — some phones and computers have a system-wide "high contrast" or "extra dark" mode that may make Outlook appear darker. You can also adjust your screen brightness or use your device's blue light filter, though these affect all apps, not just Outlook.

Does Outlook have a custom theme option where I can pick my own colors?

Outlook does not let you create a fully custom theme with your own color palette the way some other programs do. You are limited to the themes Microsoft provides — typically Light, Dark, and sometimes Colorful or Colorful Grayscale. If you want to organize emails by color, use Outlook's category or flag feature instead, which lets you assign colors to individual messages.