Change your document background in three steps

Open your Google Doc and click File in the top left corner. Select Page setup from the menu. A box will appear with a color palette — click any color to change your document background, or click the palette icon to pick a custom color from a wider range. Click OK to save.

The background color applies to the entire document, not individual pages or sections. If you change your mind, return to File > Page setup and select white (or the color you want instead).

This same menu also controls page margins and paper size if you need to adjust those while you're there.

Key Takeaways

  • Background color is set through File > Page setup, not through the toolbar or formatting menu.
  • The color change applies to your whole document at once — you cannot color individual pages differently.
  • You can pick from Google's preset colors or click the palette icon to choose any custom color you want.
  • Changing the background color does not affect how the document prints; printed pages will still be white unless you have a color printer and adjust print settings separately.

Why you might want a colored background

A colored background can reduce eye strain if you spend long hours reading on screen, especially in low light. Some people find a light blue, beige, or gray easier on the eyes than pure white. If you are sharing a document for others to read on screen rather than print, a subtle background color can make the document feel intentional without being distracting.

Keep in mind that colored backgrounds can make some text harder to read if the contrast is poor. A dark background with dark text, or a bright background with light text, will strain eyes rather than help. Test your choice by reading a full paragraph before settling on it.

What happens when you share a colored document

Anyone you share the document with will see the same background color you chose. They can change it for their own view without affecting what you see — each person's color preference is independent. If someone downloads the document as a PDF or Word file, the background color will be included in that file.

If you print the document, the background color will not print unless you have a color printer and your print settings are configured to print backgrounds. Most printers default to printing text only, so a colored background on screen will appear as white on paper.

Changing text color versus background color

Text color and background color are different tools. To change the color of specific words or paragraphs, highlight the text you want to change, then click the text color button (the A with a colored line underneath it) in the toolbar. This lets you color individual sentences or words.

Background color, by contrast, affects the entire page behind all your text. You cannot use the page setup background to color just one paragraph — if you need that, highlight the paragraph and use the highlight tool (the marker icon in the toolbar) instead. Highlighting colors individual sections while background color colors the whole page.

Undoing a background color you do not want

If you applied a background color and want to remove it, go back to File > Page setup and click the white color square. This returns your document to a white background. You can also click the Reset button in the page setup box to return all page settings (margins, size, and color) to Google's defaults.

There is no undo button for page setup changes, so if you are unsure whether you like a color, explore it and live with it for a few minutes before deciding. You can always change it again.

Using background color for different document types

A light background works well for documents you plan to read on screen — presentations, study guides, or internal notes. A white background is still the standard for formal documents like resumes, cover letters, or anything you plan to print and hand to someone in person.

If you are creating a document specifically for sharing on screen with a team, a very light color (pale blue, soft gray, or cream) can make the document feel distinct without making text hard to read. Avoid bright colors or dark backgrounds unless you have a specific reason — they tire eyes faster and can make printing more difficult if someone needs a hard copy later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make different pages different colors?

No. The background color applies to the entire document. If you need different sections to look distinct, use the highlight tool on individual paragraphs instead, or create separate documents and link them together.

Will my background color print?

Not usually. Most printers are set to print text and images only, not backgrounds. If you need the color to print, check your printer settings before printing and make sure "print backgrounds" or "print colors" is turned on. Even then, results depend on your specific printer.

What if I share a colored document with someone using an older version of Google Docs?

They will still see the background color. Google Docs background colors work across all versions and devices. The color may look slightly different on a phone than on a computer monitor, but the feature itself is supported everywhere.

Can I use a background image instead of a solid color?

Google Docs does not support background images through the page setup menu. You can insert an image and send it to the back of the page, but this is more complicated and can interfere with text. For most purposes, a solid color background is simpler and more reliable.