How to Change Background Color on an Instagram Story

Changing the background color on an Instagram Story is easy once you know which tiny hidden tool Instagram decided not to explain today. When I'm comparing how public Stories look outside the app, I use Insta Stories Viewer, but for editing your own Story background, you'll do everything inside Instagram.

Change background color on a text Story

Open Instagram, create a Story, choose the text or Create mode, and tap the color circle to cycle through background colors. Add your text, stickers, music, or links, then post. This is the fastest method if you want a simple solid color behind a message.

Use the draw tool for a solid background

Upload any photo to your Story, tap the three dots or drawing icon, choose Draw, pick a color, then press and hold on the screen. Instagram fills the whole Story with that color. This is useful when you want to cover the photo completely and build a clean design on top.

Create a translucent color overlay

If you want the photo to show through, use the highlighter tool instead of the regular pen. Pick a color, press and hold on the screen, and Instagram adds a transparent overlay. This gives the Story a tinted look while keeping the image visible.

Pick a custom color from your photo

In the draw tool, tap and hold a color dot to open the color picker, or use the eyedropper tool to sample a color from your photo. This makes the background match your image, outfit, product, logo, or whatever aesthetic you are pretending happened naturally.

Change background behind a shared post

Share a feed post to your Story, tap the background area, then use the draw tool trick: choose a color and press/hold on the background. In many versions of Instagram, this changes the area around the shared post without deleting the post sticker.

Use an external design app

If Instagram's tools feel too limited, create the Story in Canva, Adobe Express, or another design app, export it as a 9:16 image, and upload it to Instagram. This gives you exact colors, fonts, gradients, and layouts instead of wrestling with Instagram's tiny buttons like it's a boss fight.

FAQ

Why does press-and-hold cover my photo?

You used the regular pen tool. Use the highlighter tool if you want a transparent overlay.

Can I use gradients?

Instagram's built-in options are limited. Use a design app for clean gradients.

Can I change the background after posting?

No. You need to delete and repost the Story with the new background.