How to Change the Background Color in the WordPress Block Editor

When customizing your WordPress site, the background color plays a big role in creating a unique look and improving readability. Whether you want a clean white background, a soft pastel, or a bold dark style, WordPress makes it easy to change background colors without coding.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to customize the background color in the WordPress block editor (Gutenberg)step by step.

Why Change the Background Color?

A site’s background color affects more than just appearance:

• Branding: Match your website’s color palette with your brand identity.
• Readability: Improve text visibility with proper contrast.
• User Experience: Dark backgrounds can reduce eye strain, while light ones create a clean look.

Method 1: Change the Background Color of a Specific Block

The block editor allows you to edit the background color of individual blocks. For example, if you want to highlight a paragraph or a heading:

1. Select the block in the editor.
2. In the right-hand sidebar, open the “Block” settings panel.
3. Under Color → Background, pick the color you want.
4. Preview the changes.

This is a great way to emphasize certain sections of your page.

Method 2: Change the Background Color of a Group Block

If you want to apply the same background color to multiple blocks together:

1. Select the blocks you want to group.
2. Click Group from the block toolbar.
3. Now select the group block and change its background color from the settings sidebar.

This creates a visually distinct section (similar to a content box) without needing extra plugins.

Method 3: Change the Global Background Color (Full Site)

To change the background color across your entire site:

1. Go to your WordPress Dashboard → Appearance → Editor (Site Editor).
2. Click on Styles → Colors → Background.
3. Choose a color from the palette or enter a custom hex code.
4. Save changes and preview your site.

This ensures a consistent background throughout your theme.

Pro Tips for Background Colors

• Maintain Contrast: Use tools like WebAIM Contrast Checker to ensure your text is readable.
• Stick to Your Palette: Too many colors can look messy — keep it simple.
• Use Gradients: WordPress allows gradient backgrounds for a modern look.

Final Thoughts

Changing the background color in the WordPress block editor is quick and beginner-friendly. You can edit individual blocks, grouped sections, or your entire site design.

Experiment with colors that align with your brand and improve user experience — a small change can make your website look much more professional.