The fastest way depends on which tool you're using
Text color changes in different places depending on whether you're working in Photoshop, Canva, Microsoft Word, or a web design tool. In most programs, you select the text first, then look for a color picker — usually a small square or paint bucket icon in the toolbar. The exact steps vary, but the principle is the same: highlight what you want to change, then choose a new color from a palette or color wheel.
Some tools let you change color before you type (set the color, then add text). Others require you to select existing text first. Knowing which approach your tool uses saves you from typing in the wrong color and having to fix it afterward.
Key Takeaways
- Select your text first in most design programs, then click the text color icon (usually a colored square or "A" with a bar underneath) in the toolbar.
- In Photoshop, use the foreground color swatch in the toolbox; in Canva, click the text and use the color panel on the right; in Word, select text and use the font color dropdown in the ribbon.
- You can pick from preset colors, enter a hex code for exact colors, or use an eyedropper to match colors elsewhere in your design.
- If text becomes hard to read against its background, increase contrast by choosing a darker color for light backgrounds or a lighter color for dark backgrounds.
Changing text color in Photoshop
Open your image and select the text tool from the toolbox on the left (it looks like a capital "A"). Click on the text you want to change. The text will show a cursor, meaning it's ready to edit.
Look at the toolbox on the left side. You'll see two overlapping squares — one in front of the other. The front square is your foreground color. Click on it to open the color picker. Choose your new color from the palette, or type a hex code (like #FF5733) in the hex field if you know the exact color you want. Click OK, and the selected text changes when ready.
If you want to change only part of the text, highlight just those letters before clicking the color swatch. If you want all text in that layer to change, select all (Ctrl+A on Windows, Cmd+A on Mac) before picking the new color.
Changing text color in Canva
Click on any text in your design to select it. A panel appears on the right side of the screen. Look for the color option — it's usually labeled "Text color" or shown as a colored square. Click it to open the color picker.
Canva shows you a grid of preset colors that match your design's palette. You can also click "Custom colors" to enter a hex code, use the color wheel, or upload an image to pull colors from. Once you pick a color, it applies to all selected text when ready.
To change only some words in a text box, double-click the text to enter edit mode, highlight the words you want to change, then click the color option again.
Changing text color in Microsoft Word
Select the text you want to change by clicking and dragging across it, or triple-click to select an entire paragraph. In the ribbon at the top, find the "Home" tab. Look for an icon that shows an "A" with a colored bar underneath — that's the font color button.
Click the small arrow next to it to open a color palette. Word shows you recently used colors at the top, then a grid of standard colors. You can also click "More Colors" to enter a specific hex code or use a color picker. Click your choice, and the selected text changes.
If you want text to stand out more, Word also has a text highlight option (looks like a marker pen) in the same area. Highlight is different from text color — it puts a colored background behind the text rather than changing the text itself.
Changing text color in web design tools
In tools like Figma, Adobe XD, or Webflow, select your text layer or text box. A properties panel usually appears on the right side. Look for "Fill" or "Text color" — the exact label depends on the tool. Click on the color swatch to open the picker.
Most web design tools let you enter hex codes, RGB values, or HSL values for precise color matching. Some also show you a color history so you can reuse colors you've already picked. After you choose, the change applies to all selected text.
If you're designing for the web, pay attention to contrast. Text that's too close in color to its background becomes hard to read on phones and tablets. Tools like Figma often show you a contrast ratio so you can check whether your color choice meets accessibility standards.
Using hex codes and color pickers for exact colors
A hex code is a six-character code that represents a specific color — for example, #000000 is black and #FFFFFF is white. If you have a color you want to match exactly, you can find its hex code using an eyedropper tool or a color picker website.
Most design programs have an eyedropper built in. In Photoshop, hold Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac) while the color picker is open, then click on any color in your image to grab it. In Canva and web tools, look for an eyedropper icon in the color panel. This is useful when you want text to match a color elsewhere in your design without guessing.
If you're working from a brand guide or a reference image, you can also use free online tools like Coolors or Color Picker to upload an image and extract hex codes from it. Then paste those codes into your design tool for perfect color matching.
Making text readable against different backgrounds
Text color only matters if people can read it. If your text is dark gray on a dark background, or light yellow on a white background, it will be nearly invisible. The solution is contrast — the difference in brightness between the text and what's behind it.
For light backgrounds (white, light gray, light blue), use dark text colors like black, dark blue, or dark gray. For dark backgrounds, use light text colors like white, light gray, or light yellow. If you're unsure whether your choice has enough contrast, most design tools show a contrast ratio. Aim for at least 4.5:1 for body text and 3:1 for large text.
If you have a photo or patterned background, text becomes harder to read no matter what color you choose. In that case, add a semi-transparent dark or light box behind the text, or use an outline or shadow effect to make the text stand out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my text color look different on my phone than on my computer?
Different screens display colors differently depending on brightness, settings, and screen type. A color that looks bright on your monitor might appear darker on a phone. If you're designing for the web, test your colors on multiple devices before finalizing. Avoid very light or very saturated colors that can shift unpredictably between screens.
Can I change the color of text in a PDF?
It depends on the PDF. If the PDF is a locked image, you cannot change the text color without editing the original file. If it's an editable PDF, you can use Adobe Acrobat (paid) or free tools like PDFtk to edit it. For most purposes, it's easier to go back to the original document, change the color there, and export a new PDF.
What's the difference between text color and text highlight?
Text color changes the color of the letters themselves. Text highlight adds a colored background behind the text, like a marker pen. Use text color to change the main appearance of text. Use highlight when you want to draw attention to specific words or phrases without changing the text color.
How do I match a color from a logo or image?
Use the eyedropper tool in your design program to click directly on the color you want to match. If your program doesn't have an eyedropper, take a screenshot of the image, upload it to a free color picker website, and click on the color to get its hex code. Then paste that code into your design tool.
What if I want to change text color but keep it readable?
Check the contrast between your text color and background. If the contrast is low, choose a darker text color for light backgrounds or a lighter text color for dark backgrounds. Most design tools show a contrast ratio — aim for 4.5:1 or higher. If contrast is still a problem, add a shadow, outline, or semi-transparent background box behind the text.