To add a background to a Facebook post, click What's on your mind at the top of your Feed, click Add background (or tap again in the app to open the options), pick a coloured square and write your post. Backgrounds only work on text-only posts from your profile, Feed or a group. Add a photo, video or link and the option disappears, and you can't use backgrounds on posts made from a Page.
Coloured background posts stand out in a busy Feed, which is why people go looking for the option and then can't find it. Usually it's one of two things: there's a photo or link in the post, or you're posting as a Page. Here's how it works on each device, from Facebook's own help pages.
Add a background on a computer
- At the top of your Feed, click What's on your mind.
- Click Add background below your profile picture.
- Pick a coloured square. For more designs, click More backgrounds on the right.
- Write your post.
- Below your name, choose your audience.
- Click Post.
Add a background in the app
- Tap What's on your mind at the top of your Feed or profile.
- Tap again to open the background options.
- Pick a coloured square, or tap More backgrounds for more choice.
- Write your post.
- On iPhone, tap Next, then Post. On Android, tap POST in the top right.
Add a background to a post in a group
Group posts work too, which is handy if you run a community and want announcements to stand out.
- Click or tap Write something at the top of the group.
- Click Add background, or in the app tap again, to open the options.
- Pick a coloured square, or More backgrounds for more designs.
- Write your post, then post it.
Why the background option disappears
| What's happening | Why | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| You added a photo, video or link | Facebook doesn't allow backgrounds on posts with a photo, video or link | Remove the attachment, or post the link in a separate post |
| You're posting as a Facebook Page | Backgrounds can't be added to posts made on a Page | Post the text from your profile or a group instead |
| The design you used before is missing | Background options vary, and some on your phone may not be on your computer | Try the other device |
| Your text looks huge without a background | Facebook shows short text posts in a larger size in Feed, and you can't change that size | Write a slightly longer post, or add a background for a styled look |
The Page rule is the one that catches business owners out. If your business posts as a Page, you won't see the option at all.
Change the background on a post you've already shared
Facebook's app instructions let you swap the colour after posting:
- Go to your post and tap Options in the top right.
- Tap Edit post. On Android, tap the text of your post.
- Tap a different coloured square, or More backgrounds.
- Tap Save in the top right.
Picking a background that works
Facebook describes backgrounds as a way to customise text-only posts with different designs and colours, and the choice is wider than the first row of squares suggests. A few habits I'd follow when you pick one:
- Keep the words short. A background post is a headline, not an essay, and a long post on a busy pattern is hard to read.
- Pick a design with strong contrast between the text and the colour behind it, so it reads on a small phone screen.
- Check the audience below your name before you post. A bright background on a post meant for Friends is still only seen by Friends.
- If you can't find a design you used last month, look on your phone. Facebook says the options vary and some phone backgrounds aren't on the computer.
What about stories?
Stories don't use these post backgrounds. If you want text to stand out on a story photo or video, Facebook's story editor has its own option: tap Text, add your words, then tap Highlight to put a solid or transparent background behind the text. Tap Highlight again to remove it. You can also change the text colour with the coloured circle at the top.
To show your best posts on your profile, read how to add Highlights on Facebook.
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My advice
Use backgrounds for short, punchy posts: a question to your group, an announcement, a one-line tip. They're built for text alone, so don't fight the system by trying to add a link. Post the coloured text first and drop the link in a follow-up. If you want your post to do more than look good, my guides to posting content to a Facebook group and adding music to a Facebook post cover the next steps.
Related guides live in the Facebook Help: 80 Guides to Pages, Groups, Ads, Stories and Fixes.
Frequently asked questions
Why can't I add a background to my Facebook post?
Backgrounds only work on text-only posts. If you add a photo, video or link, the option disappears, and you can't add backgrounds to posts made on a Page.
Can a Facebook Page use coloured background posts?
No. Facebook says you can't add a background to posts that you make on a Page. You can use them on your profile, in Feed and in groups.
Can I change the background after posting on Facebook?
Yes, in the app. Tap Options on your post, tap Edit post, pick a different coloured square and tap Save.
Why are some Facebook text posts in bigger letters?
Facebook shows short text posts in a larger size in Feed. You can't change that text size.
