In Google Sites, background color is controlled two ways: by the theme for the whole site, and by section backgrounds for individual parts of a page. To change a section, hover over it, click the Section background icon (a paint palette) on the left, and choose Regular, Emphasis 1, Emphasis 2 or Image. To change the colors those options use, open the Themes tab on the right, pick a theme, and choose a different color, or create a custom theme with your own colors.
Below are the steps for each, how to use an image as a background, and why you can’t pick any color for any section directly.
Change a section’s background
- Open your site in Google Sites.
- Hover over the section you want to change.
- Click the Section background (palette) icon that appears on the left.
- Choose an option:
- Regular: the theme’s normal background, usually white or light
- Emphasis 1: a lightly tinted background from the theme
- Emphasis 2: a stronger theme color
- Image: upload or choose a photo as the background
Text color adjusts automatically so it stays readable against the background.
Change the theme’s colors
- Click Themes in the right panel.
- Click a theme to apply it.
- Under the theme name, click one of the color circles to change the main color.
- Use the Font style menu if you want to change fonts too.
The new color updates every Emphasis background and accent across the site.
Create a custom theme with your own colors
- In Themes, scroll to Custom and click Build (or Create theme).
- Choose a starting theme and name your custom theme.
- Set your colors using the color pickers or enter hex codes, such as your brand colors.
- Click Create or Save, then apply the theme to your site.
Custom themes let you control the colors used by Regular and Emphasis backgrounds, which is the closest thing to choosing any background color.
Use an image as the background
- Click the section’s Section background icon and choose Image.
- Upload a photo, choose one from Google Drive, or search images.
- Use a dark or light image with plenty of empty space so text is easy to read.
For a solid color that isn’t in your theme, a simple trick is to upload a small image filled with that color as the section background.
Change the header background
Hover over the header at the top of the page, click Change image to upload or select an image, and use Header type to choose a cover, large banner, banner or title only.
Background options at a glance
| Want to change | Where |
|---|---|
| One section | Section background icon |
| Site-wide colors | Themes > color circles |
| Exact brand colors | Themes > Custom theme |
| Photo background | Section background > Image |
| Top of the page | Header > Change image |
Related: how to use Google Search.
Related: access a shared Google Drive.
Related: Publish a Google Site.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a hex color for one section only?
Not directly. Sections use theme colors. Create a custom theme with that color, or use a solid-color image.
Can I change the background in classic Google Sites?
Classic Sites has been retired. All sites now use the new Google Sites editor.
Why didn’t my background change show up on the live site?
Click Publish after making changes. Edits don’t appear on the live site until you publish.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.