The fastest way: use the color picker tool
Open Instagram and start a new story by tapping the camera icon or swiping left from your feed. Before you add any text or stickers, tap and hold on the screen with one finger. A row of color circles will appear at the bottom. Tap any color to fill the entire background with that shade. The background stays that color until you change it again or post the story.
If you want a specific color that isn't in the preset row, swipe left through the color options. You'll see a color wheel appear. Tap anywhere on the wheel to pick the exact shade you want. This works for any color your phone can display — you're not limited to Instagram's preset palette.
Key Takeaways
- Tap and hold the screen before adding content to bring up the color picker at the bottom of the screen.
- Swipe left through the color row to access the full color wheel for any shade you want.
- You can change the background color after you've added text or stickers by tapping and holding again.
- A gradient background uses two colors that blend together and requires swiping to a second color option in the picker.
- The background color you choose applies only to that single story — each new story starts with a blank canvas.
Adding a gradient background instead of a solid color
A gradient blends two colors together across the background. To create one, tap and hold the screen to open the color picker. Select your first color from the row or wheel. Then, without lifting your finger, swipe left on the color row. A second color option will appear. Tap it to apply both colors as a gradient that transitions from one to the other.
The direction of the gradient is fixed — it always goes from top-left to bottom-right. You can't rotate it or change the angle, but you can pick any two colors you want. Gradients work well when you're posting a solid-color background with text on top, since the blend can make text easier to read than a flat color would.
Changing the background after you've added text or images
You don't have to decide on a background color before you add anything else. If you've already typed text, drawn, or added stickers, you can still change the background. Tap and hold the screen again — the color picker will reappear. Select a new color or gradient. The background will change, but all your text, drawings, and stickers stay exactly where they are.
This is useful if you add text first and then realize the background color makes it hard to read. You can experiment with different backgrounds without redoing your text or layout. Just remember that tap-and-hold only works on empty space — if you tap and hold on top of text or a sticker, you'll select that object instead of opening the color picker.
Using a photo or video as your background instead
If you want a background that's not a solid color, you can use a photo or video from your phone. Tap the image icon at the bottom left of the camera screen (it looks like a square with a mountain). Select a photo or video from your library. It will fill the background. You can then add text, stickers, or drawings on top of it.
Photos and videos you upload this way are not the same as the "background" color feature — they're actual media files. You can pinch to zoom, drag to reposition, or rotate them before posting. If you want to go back to a solid color background after uploading a photo, swipe back to the camera view and start over with a new story.
Why your background color might not be showing
If you tap and hold but no color picker appears, you may have tapped on a sticker, text, or filter instead of empty space. Try tapping on a different part of the screen where there's nothing else. The color picker only works on the blank background area.
Another reason the color might not show is if you've applied an Instagram filter to your story. Some filters override the background color or make it harder to see. Remove the filter by tapping the smiley face icon and selecting "None," then try the color picker again. The background color will then display clearly.
Saving a background color for future stories
Instagram doesn't have a built-in way to save a specific background color for reuse across multiple stories. However, you can take a screenshot of a story with a background color you like, then use that screenshot as a photo background for future stories. Open the photo in your story, and the color will be there.
Alternatively, if you use a color often, you can remember its position in the color wheel or take a mental note of where it sits in the preset row. The color picker appears in the same place every time you start a new story, so you can quickly find colors you've used before by tapping and holding again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a background color on a story with a photo or video?
No. When you upload a photo or video as your story, it fills the entire background. You can add text and stickers on top, but you can't apply a solid color background behind it. If you want just a color background, don't upload media — use the tap-and-hold color picker instead.
Does the background color I choose show up the same way for everyone who views my story?
Yes. The background color displays the same on all devices and screens. However, brightness settings on individual phones may make the color appear slightly lighter or darker to different viewers.
What happens to the background color if I add a filter to my story?
Some filters will dim or change how the background color looks. If you apply a filter after choosing a background color, the color may appear muted or tinted by the filter. You can remove the filter by tapping the smiley face and selecting "None" to see the original color again.
Can I make the background color transparent or see-through?
No. Instagram story backgrounds are always solid or gradient — there's no transparency option. If you want a see-through effect, you would need to use a photo or video as your background instead.