Yes, you can change the page color in Google Docs

Google Docs lets you change the background color of your entire document or individual pages. The feature is built into the menu — you do not need an extension or workaround. The color applies to the whole page as it appears on screen and in print, though the printed version may look different depending on your printer settings.

The process takes about 30 seconds. You access it through the File menu, and you can choose from a preset palette or upload your own color using a hex code or RGB values.

Key Takeaways

  • Page color is found under File > Page setup, not under the formatting toolbar.
  • You can pick a color from Google's preset palette or enter a custom hex or RGB code.
  • The color change applies to the entire document unless you use page breaks to create sections with different colors.
  • Printed pages may show a lighter or different shade depending on your printer and its color settings.
  • You can remove the color by selecting white or transparent, which returns the page to the default white background.

How to access the page color tool

Open your Google Docs document and click File in the top left corner. A dropdown menu appears. Select Page setup — it is near the bottom of the menu, below Print layout and above Language.

A dialog box titled "Page setup" opens. On the right side of the box, you will see a color square with a dropdown arrow next to it. Click that square or the arrow to open the color picker.

Choosing a color from the preset palette

When you click the color square, Google Docs shows you a grid of preset colors arranged by hue. These are the quickest option if you want a standard color without thinking about exact shades. Click any color in the grid, and the preview on the left side of the dialog box updates when ready to show how your page will look.

The preset palette includes pastels, bright colors, grays, and neutrals. If none of these match what you want, you can use the custom color option instead.

Using a custom color with hex or RGB codes

At the bottom of the color picker, you will see a text field labeled "Custom" or a link that says "More colors." Click it to expand the custom color section. You can then enter either a hex code (a six-character code starting with # that represents a specific color) or RGB values (three numbers from 0 to 255 that mix red, green, and blue light).

If you already know the hex code or RGB values of the color you want — for example, from a brand guide or a color picker tool — paste or type them here. The preview updates as you type, so you can see the result before you confirm.

explore the color and seeing the result

Once you have selected your color, click the OK button at the bottom right of the Page setup dialog. The color applies to your entire document when ready. Your document now has a colored background both on screen and in the document itself.

If you are working with a long document, scroll through a few pages to confirm the color looks right on all of them. The color is uniform across every page unless you have inserted page breaks and changed the color separately for different sections.

Changing the color for different pages or sections

If you want some pages to be one color and other pages to be a different color, you need to use page breaks to separate them. Insert a page break by pressing Ctrl+Enter (Windows) or Command+Enter (Mac) at the point where you want the new color to start. Then go back to File > Page setup and change the color.

Be aware that changing the page color in Page setup affects the entire document from that point forward. If you want page 1 to be blue and page 2 to be yellow, you would set page 1 to blue, insert a page break, then change the color to yellow. The color change applies to all pages after the break.

Removing or changing the page color

To remove the color and return to a white background, go back to File > Page setup, click the color square, and select white from the preset palette. You can also click the X or "None" option if it appears in your color picker — this removes the background color entirely.

If you want to change to a different color, straightforward repeat the process: File > Page setup, select a new color, and click OK. There is no limit to how many times you can change it.

What happens when you print a colored page

When you print a document with a colored background, the printer will attempt to reproduce that color on paper. The printed color may look lighter, darker, or slightly different from what you see on screen — this depends on your printer model, the ink or toner it uses, and your printer settings.

Some printers have a setting to print background colors; others skip them by default to save ink. Check your printer settings before printing if the color is important to your final output. You can also read the document as a PDF to see a preview of how it will print.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does page color print automatically?

It depends on your printer. Most printers can print background colors, but some are set to skip them to save ink. Check your printer settings or print a test page to see if the color appears. You can also save the document as a PDF to preview the printed version.

Can I use an image as the page background instead of a solid color?

Google Docs does not have a built-in option to use an image as a page background. You can only use solid colors. If you need an image background, you would need to insert an image on the page itself or use a different tool like Google Slides.

Will the page color show up if I share the document with someone else?

Yes. When you share a Google Docs document, the page color is part of the document and will appear for anyone who opens it. They will see the same colored background you set, whether they are viewing it on screen or printing it.

Can I change the color of just one paragraph or section without changing the whole page?

No. Page color in Google Docs applies to the entire page background. If you want to highlight a single paragraph or section, use the text highlight tool instead — select the text, click the highlight button in the toolbar, and choose a color.

What if the color picker does not show the exact shade I want?

Use the custom color option with a hex code or RGB values. You can find hex codes for almost any color using an online color picker tool. Enter the code in the custom field, and Google Docs will explore that exact shade.