Change Background Color in Picsart: A Practical Guide

Updated 6 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

You can change a picture’s background color in Picsart by removing or selecting the existing background, then placing a solid color behind the subject. The exact controls vary slightly by device and app version, but the basic workflow is to isolate the subject, add a colored layer, refine the edges, and export the finished image.

Choose the right editing method

The best approach depends on what you want to change. If the picture already has a plain background, a selection or replacement tool may be enough. If it has a busy scene, you will usually need to cut out the subject before adding a new color. For a graphic that has no photo subject, you can simply create a colored canvas or add a background layer.

Replace the whole background: remove the original background and put a solid color behind the person or object.
Change a single color: use a selection or color-adjustment tool if the background is one consistent shade and you want to recolor it without cutting out the subject.
Add space around a photo: expand or adjust the canvas, then fill the new area with a color while keeping the original image intact.

Feature names and availability can change, and some editing tools may require a subscription or may differ between the mobile app and web editor. If a menu described below is not visible, look for a similarly named cutout, selection, background, or layer control.

Change the background on mobile

Open Picsart and start a new edit. Choose the photo you want to work with from your device.
Find the background-removal or cutout option. If automatic removal is offered, apply it and inspect the result. The goal is to keep the person or object while making the area behind it transparent.
Use the available erase and restore brushes to correct the selection. Erase removes parts mistakenly included in the subject; restore brings back details that were cut away. Zoom in around hair, fingers, glasses, and other fine edges.
Add a background or color layer. Choose a solid color from the color picker, or add a shape or background element and place it behind the cutout. If layers are available, move the color layer below the subject.
Adjust the subject’s position and size, then review the entire image at normal viewing scale. A selection that looks acceptable when enlarged can still have a visible fringe or missing detail when viewed normally.
Export or save a copy. Choose a format that preserves the result you need: PNG can retain transparency when the background is left transparent, while JPEG does not support transparent areas.

In some versions, a background-color control may be available directly after background removal. If so, choose the color there instead of adding a separate layer. The key is that the subject must remain in front of the new color.

Change the background in a browser

In Picsart’s web editor, open a project and upload or select the image. Look for a background-removal or cutout tool, then refine the subject selection with the available controls. Add a background or shape, choose a fill color, and place that element behind the cutout. The browser layout may use different panel positions from the phone app, so follow the tool labels rather than expecting every button to be in the same place.

Before exporting, check the canvas dimensions and the preview. If the new color only covers part of the canvas, resize the background element or set it to fill the full page. Keep an editable project if you expect to revise the selection later; a flattened image combines the layers and makes later corrections harder.

Pick a color and refine the edges

For a natural-looking result, consider how the new color interacts with the subject. A pale background can make dark hair or clothing stand out, while a dark background may work better for a bright subject. If the image is meant to match a design or brand palette, use a hex color value when the editor provides a field for one; otherwise, use its color picker and compare the result with the reference on the same screen.

Check the outline: look for leftover pixels from the old background, halos, and jagged edges.
Preserve fine details: hair, fur, translucent fabric, and glass can be difficult to separate cleanly from their original surroundings.
Match the lighting: a completely flat color can look artificial if the subject has strong shadows or colored reflections from the original scene.
Review at full size: inspect both a close-up and the whole composition before saving.

Automatic background removal is a starting point, not a guarantee of a perfect cutout. Busy backgrounds, low contrast, motion blur, and subjects that blend into nearby colors can all confuse an automated selection. A manual touch-up is often the difference between a usable social graphic and an obvious cut-and-paste effect.

Common problems and fixes

The color covers the subject: change the layer order so the background sits behind the cutout. If there is no layer panel, undo and add the background after removing the original background, using the editor’s designated background control.
The old background is still visible: zoom in and erase remaining patches, or repeat the selection with a more precise method. Check gaps around arms, hair, and objects held by the subject.
Part of the subject disappears: restore the missing area with the brush, then inspect the selection at a closer zoom before applying the color.
The edges look rough: refine the selection, use a softer brush where appropriate, and avoid repeatedly erasing beyond the subject boundary.
The saved image has a white background: the file may have been exported as JPEG, or the project may still contain a white layer. Use PNG if you need transparency, and check the export preview.
The result looks blurry: begin with the highest-resolution original available and avoid enlarging a small image substantially. Export settings and repeated resizing can also affect sharpness.

Background replacement versus recoloring

Removing the background and adding a color is different from recoloring pixels in place. Background replacement is generally more flexible because it leaves the subject on its own layer and lets you change the color without changing the subject. Recoloring can be quicker for a uniform backdrop, but it may also affect parts of the subject that share the same color.

For example, if a person is photographed against a blue wall while wearing a blue shirt, selecting every blue pixel could alter both the wall and the clothing. Separating the person from the background avoids that problem, though it requires a clean cutout. If you only need a simple colored border or canvas around the original photo, expanding the canvas may be easier and preserves the original background.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change a photo’s background to a specific color in Picsart?
Yes. Remove or select the existing background, add a solid color behind the subject, and use a hex value if the color picker in your version supports one.

How do I change the background without changing the person?
Isolate the person as a cutout first, then add the color as a separate layer behind them. Check the edges carefully so the selection does not remove hair, clothing, or other details.

Can I make the background transparent instead?
Yes, if the editor lets you remove the background and export transparency. Save as PNG; JPEG does not preserve transparent pixels.

Why does the new background appear in front of my subject?
The background layer is likely above the subject layer. Move it behind the cutout, or use the editor’s background feature, which should place the color behind the image subject.

Why does background removal leave a white outline?
The selection may include pixels from the old background, especially around fine or low-contrast edges. Zoom in and refine the cutout with erase and restore controls, then review it against the new color.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.