Change page color by opening the document menu

Open your Google Docs document and click File in the top left corner. From the menu that appears, select Page setup. A panel will open on the right side of your screen showing page options. At the top of this panel, you will see a paint bucket icon — click it to open the color picker.

The color picker shows a palette of preset colors. Click any color to apply it to your entire page background. If you want a color not shown in the preset palette, click the + button at the bottom right of the color picker to enter a custom color code or use the color wheel to select exactly what you want.

Once you have chosen your color, close the page setup panel by clicking the X in the top right corner of the panel. Your page background will change immediately. The color applies to the whole document, not just one page.

Key Takeaways

  • Page color is set through File > Page setup, then clicking the paint bucket icon in the right panel.
  • The color you choose applies to every page in your document at once — you cannot set different colors for different pages.
  • Preset colors are available in the color picker, or you can enter a custom color code for a specific shade.
  • Changing page color does not affect text color, so make sure your text remains readable against the background you choose.

Understanding the difference between page color and text color

Page color and text color are separate settings. Page color is the background of the entire document. Text color is the color of the words you type. Changing one does not change the other.

If you change your page to a dark color, your text may become hard to read if it is also dark. Before you settle on a page color, type a sentence or two and check that the contrast is strong enough. Light text on a dark page or dark text on a light page works best.

What happens when you print or download a document with page color

If you print a Google Docs document with a colored page, the color will print along with your text — this uses more ink or toner than printing on white. Some printers may also print the color slightly differently than it appears on screen.

When you download your document as a PDF or Microsoft Word file, the page color is included in the downloaded file. If you download as a plain text file (.txt), the color is lost because plain text files do not support formatting.

Removing or changing page color after you have set it

To change the page color, follow the same steps: File > Page setup, then click the paint bucket icon. Select a different color or click the white square in the color palette to return your page to white.

There is no "undo" button for page color in the page setup panel, but you can use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Z (Windows) or Command+Z (Mac) immediately after closing the panel to undo the change if you change your mind right away.

Why page color might not show up the way you expect

If you set a page color but it does not appear, check whether you are viewing the document in Editing mode or Viewing mode. Page color shows in both, but the display can look different depending on your screen brightness and the browser you are using.

If you are sharing the document with others, they will see the same page color you set. However, if someone has changed their Google Docs display settings to use a dark theme on their computer, the page color may appear different to them than it does to you.

Choosing colors that work well for different purposes

Light colors like pale yellow, light blue, or light green work well for documents you plan to print, because they use less ink and keep text readable. Darker colors like navy, forest green, or burgundy can work for documents you will only view on screen, but test them first to make sure your text is still easy to read.

If you are sharing a document with others who may print it, consider asking them first whether they want the page color printed. Some people prefer to print on white to save ink, even if the original document has a colored background.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set different page colors for different pages in the same document?

No. Page color in Google Docs applies to the entire document at once. If you need different colors on different pages, you would need to create separate documents and combine them later, or use a different tool like Google Slides.

Does page color affect how Google Docs saves or backs up my document?

No. Page color is just a formatting choice and does not change how Google Docs stores or backs up your work. Your document saves the same way whether the page is white or colored.

What if I set a page color and now my text is hard to read?

Go back to File > Page setup, click the paint bucket icon, and choose a color with better contrast. Light text on dark backgrounds or dark text on light backgrounds is easiest to read. You can also change your text color separately through the text formatting toolbar.

Will the page color show up if someone opens my document on their phone?

Yes. Page color shows on phones, tablets, and computers. However, the exact shade may look slightly different depending on the device's screen and brightness settings.