How to Change Background Color in Canva (Solid or Gradient)

Swapping a template's background colour is the quickest way to make it yours. A pastel template becomes your navy brand graphic in one click, and suddenly it doesn't look like the same design thousands of other people downloaded.

The trick is selecting the page background rather than whatever's sitting on top of it. Here's how Canva's help centre says to do it, how to use your brand colours and gradients, and why the option disappears in some designs.

Changing the page background colour in Canva

The help centre's steps are short, and they're the same idea on desktop and the app:

1. Click an empty part of the page to select the background itself.
2. Choose Background colour from the floating toolbar that appears near your selection.
3. Pick a solid or gradient tile to apply it.
4. Click Add a colour if you want to create a new solid or gradient tile.

If the toolbar shows options for a photo or shape instead, you've selected an element on top of the page. Click somewhere with no elements, or move the element aside for a moment.

Using your brand colours for a Canva background

Canva says the colour palettes in that panel are drawn from your Brand Kit. If you have more than one Brand Kit, for example one for your business and one for a side project, use the button in the colour panel to switch between them.

That's the easiest way to stay on brand. Instead of typing a colour code every time, your colours sit right at the top. If you haven't set up a Brand Kit yet, my guide on uploading your own fonts to a Canva Brand Kit walks through the Brand Kit area too.

Adding a gradient background in Canva

Gradients live in the same panel. Select the background, choose Background colour and pick a gradient tile, or click Add a colour to build your own. A subtle gradient between two shades of your brand colour gives depth without looking busy.

Changing the background colour of a photo versus the page

These get confused all the time. Changing the page background only affects the page. If a photo fills your whole design, the page colour sits hidden behind it.

What you want to change	What to do in Canva
The colour of the page	Select the background, then Background colour
The colour of a shape or text	Select it, then the colour tile on the toolbar
The background behind a person in a photo	Remove the photo's background, then set the page colour behind it
Use a photo or video as the background	Set image as background or Set video as background

For the third row, you'll first need to remove the photo's original background. I explain that step in my guide to the Canva background remover.

Using an image or video as a Canva background

If a plain colour feels flat, Canva lets you use a picture or a clip instead. For an image, go to Elements, then Photos, choose one, then right-click it (or use the floating toolbar) and choose Set image as background. Double-click it afterwards to reposition or resize it. For video, add a clip from Videos, trim it, then right-click and choose Set video as background.

To swap it out later, follow the same steps and choose Replace background. If you're using a busy photo, keep the text on top short and bold, or add a solid shape behind the words so they don't get lost.

Why you can't change the background colour in some Canva designs

This catches people out more than anything else on this page. Canva's help says adding or changing backgrounds isn't available in Canva Docs. If you're working on a doc and the option's missing, that's why.

For elements, Canva notes that if no colour tiles appear on the toolbar when you select something, you can't change that element's colours. Some graphics and photos simply don't offer it.

Choosing background colours that work for business designs

• Contrast first: dark text on a light background, or white text on a deep colour, keeps posts readable on a phone.
• Repeat the same background colour across a series so people recognise your posts in a feed.
• Use a gradient or soft image only when the text on top is short.
• Save time by keeping your main background colour first in your Brand Kit.

Canva also has an AI option called Magic Background in fixed-size designs such as presentations and posters. Canva says it needs at least one element on the page and offers 4 generated options to choose from. It's handy for ideas, but for consistent branding, a solid colour from your Brand Kit is usually the safer pick.

Making a Canva background transparent instead

If what you need is no background at all, for a logo or a sticker, that's a download setting rather than a colour. Here's how to download a transparent PNG from Canva.

If the Canva Background colour option won't appear

1. Click a blank part of the page, not an element.
2. Check whether a photo or shape is covering the whole page and move it aside.
3. Check you're not in Canva Docs, where Canva says backgrounds can't be changed.
4. Look for the floating toolbar near your selection rather than the side panel.
5. Refresh the editor if the toolbar doesn't show up.

Frequently asked questions

How do I change the background colour in Canva?

Click an empty part of the page, choose Background colour from the floating toolbar and pick a solid or gradient tile. Click Add a colour to create a new one.

How do I use my brand colours for a Canva background?

Canva draws the palettes in the colour panel from your Brand Kit. Use the button in that panel to switch Brand Kits if you have more than one.

Why can't I change the background in Canva Docs?

Canva's help says adding or changing backgrounds isn't available in Canva Docs.

Can I make a gradient background in Canva?

Yes. Select the background, choose Background colour and pick a gradient tile, or click Add a colour to create your own gradient.

How do I use a photo as my Canva background?

Add the photo from Elements, then Photos, right-click it and choose Set image as background. Double-click it to reposition or resize.