Yes, you can change folder colors using the built-in color labels

macOS lets you assign color labels to folders directly in Finder without installing extra software. You can choose from eight preset colors—red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, gray, and a custom option—and explore them to any folder. The color appears as a small dot next to the folder name in list view and as a tinted label in icon view, making it straightforward to organize your files visually.

This feature works on all recent versions of macOS and syncs across your devices if you use iCloud. The colors you assign stay with the folder even if you move it to a different location on your Mac.

Key Takeaways

  • Right-click any folder in Finder, select a color from the menu, and the label appears when ready next to the folder name.
  • You can assign the same color to multiple folders to group related projects or categories together visually.
  • Color labels appear as small dots in list view and as tinted backgrounds in icon view, depending on your Finder settings.
  • The built-in color system is the only native way to change folder appearance; third-party apps cannot change the actual folder icon color.

How to add a color label to a folder

Open Finder and locate the folder you want to color. Right-click (or Control-click) on the folder name. A menu will appear with several options at the top, including a row of colored dots. Click the color you want to assign—red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, or gray. The color label attaches to the folder when ready.

If you prefer not to see the color name in the menu, you can also use the keyboard shortcut. Press Control and a number from 1 to 7 while the folder is selected (1 = red, 2 = orange, 3 = yellow, 4 = green, 5 = blue, 6 = purple, 7 = gray). This applies the color without opening the menu.

Where the color appears and how to change the view

The color label shows up differently depending on how you view your folders in Finder. In list view, a small colored dot appears to the left of the folder name. In icon view, the folder itself gets a subtle tinted background. In column view, the colored dot appears next to the folder name, similar to list view.

To switch between views, open Finder, click the View menu at the top, and select Icon, List, Column, or Gallery view. If you want the color to be more prominent, icon view makes the tinted background most visible. List view is better if you want a clean, minimal look with just the colored indicator.

How to remove or change a folder's color

To remove a color label, right-click the folder again and select the colored dot that is currently assigned—clicking it a second time removes the label. Alternatively, you can right-click and choose a different color to replace the existing one. There is no separate "remove color" option; you straightforward click the active color again to toggle it off.

If you want to change a color to a different one, you do not need to remove it first. Just right-click and select the new color, and it will replace the old one when ready.

Using colors to organize multiple folders

Assign the same color to folders that belong to the same project, client, or category. For example, you might use red for work folders, blue for personal finances, and green for creative projects. This makes it much faster to scan your folder list and find what you need without reading every name.

You can also use Finder's Smart Folders to filter by color label. Click File in the menu bar, select New Smart Folder, then set the criteria to "Label" and choose a color. Finder will then show only folders with that color label, which is useful if you have hundreds of folders and want to see just one category at a time.

What the color label system cannot do

The built-in color label feature does not change the actual folder icon itself—it only adds a colored indicator next to the folder name or a tint behind it. You cannot make a folder appear in a different shade of blue or create custom colors beyond the eight preset options. If you want to change the folder icon to a completely different image or design, you would need to use a third-party app like LUT or Folder Colorizer Pro, though these tools are not made by Apple and require separate installation.

The color label system also does not affect how folders appear in cloud storage services like iCloud Drive or Google Drive when accessed through their web interfaces—the colors only show in Finder on your Mac.

Syncing colors across your devices

If you use iCloud and have Finder syncing turned on, color labels you assign to folders in iCloud Drive will appear on your other Apple devices (iPhone, iPad, or other Macs). However, colors assigned to folders stored only on your local Mac drive will not sync. To check if syncing is on, open System Settings, click your name at the top, select iCloud, and make sure Finder is toggled on.

Colors assigned to external drives or network folders do not sync across devices, since those folders are not stored in iCloud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I create custom colors beyond the eight presets?

No, macOS only offers the eight built-in colors: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, gray, and a neutral option. You cannot create or import custom colors using the native Finder feature. Third-party apps exist that can change folder icons entirely, but they are separate tools and not part of macOS.

Will the color label stay if I move the folder to an external drive?

Yes, the color label stays with the folder when you move it to an external drive or another location on your Mac. The label is stored as metadata attached to the folder itself, not to its location.

Can I see color labels on my iPhone or iPad?

Yes, if the folder is in iCloud Drive and you have iCloud syncing enabled. Open the Files app on your iPhone or iPad, navigate to iCloud Drive, and any colored folders will display their labels. Folders stored only on your Mac will not appear on your mobile devices.

What happens if I assign a color to a folder and then rename it?

The color label stays attached to the folder even after you rename it. Renaming does not affect the color assignment in any way.

Can I sort folders by color in Finder?

Finder does not have a built-in sort-by-color option in the View menu. However, you can use a Smart Folder to filter and display only folders of a specific color, which gives you a similar result.