Change Color of an Element in Canva: A Quick Guide

Updated 5 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

To change an element’s color in Canva, select it and use the color tile in the top toolbar to choose a palette color, enter a hex value, or pick a custom shade. The available controls depend on what you selected: editable shapes and text can usually be recolored, while some images and graphics need a different method.

How to change an element’s color

Open your design and click or tap the element you want to edit. If objects overlap, select the target from the Layers panel or move other objects temporarily.
Look at the top toolbar for a color tile or color control. For text, the control may appear as a text-color button; for shapes, it is usually a fill-color control.
Choose a color from the document palette, a suggested palette, or the color picker. Depending on the interface, you can enter a hex code or adjust the picker to choose a custom shade.
Click outside the picker to apply the choice, then check the design at its normal viewing size.

On a phone or tablet, select the element and look through the editing toolbar, which may be along the bottom of the screen. The labels and placement can vary by device, app version, and selected object, but the basic sequence—select, open color controls, choose a color—is the same.

What can and cannot be recolored

Canva elements are not all built alike. A simple shape, editable text object, or vector-style illustration may offer one or more color tiles. An illustration with several separate color areas may let you change each area independently. Select the object and inspect the toolbar: if color controls appear, they indicate which parts can be edited.

A photograph is different. It is made of pixels, not separate editable shapes, so it normally will not show the same fill-color control. You can change its overall appearance with image-editing tools such as filters or adjustments, or place a colored shape over it and change that shape’s transparency. Those approaches alter the appearance; they do not turn every object in the photo into an independently recolorable element.

Some graphics are effectively single-color or have limited editing options. If selecting a graphic does not show the color tiles you expect, try a different version of the element, search Canva’s library for a recolorable illustration, or use a separate editable shape or icon. Availability can differ between assets.

Choosing a color and matching a brand

For a precise match, use a hexadecimal color value if you have one. A hex code is a six-digit combination of numbers and letters, usually written with a leading #, such as #1E6A78. Enter it in the color picker when that option is available. This is more reliable than trying to reproduce a shade by eye, though the final appearance can still vary across screens and printed output.

For a design without a supplied color code, use a consistent palette rather than choosing each element independently. A practical approach is to assign one color to the main emphasis, a neutral for supporting content, and an additional accent only where it helps guide attention. Check that text and important icons stand out from their backgrounds; a visually attractive color combination can still be difficult to read.

Use the document’s existing colors when you want a consistent design.
Use a hex code when matching a known color matters.
Check small text and icons at the size people will actually see them.
Do not rely on color alone to communicate an important distinction; labels or shapes can help too.

Changing several elements at once

If you want to recolor several objects, select them together when the editor allows it. On a computer, you can often hold Shift while selecting additional objects, or drag a selection box around objects. Grouped objects may need to be ungrouped before you can edit individual parts. Once selected, inspect the toolbar: a color change may apply to all compatible selected objects, but it will not necessarily affect objects with different color controls or image content.

For a larger design, use the Layers panel to find and select objects without disturbing their placement. If a color change affects more than you intended, undo it and select the individual layer or component instead. Grouping is useful for moving related objects together, but it does not always mean they share a single editable color.

Common problems and fixes

No color button appears: Confirm that the object itself is selected, not the page background or a locked layer. The selected item may be a photo or a graphic without editable color areas.
The whole image changes instead of one part: You are likely editing a raster image. Look for a vector-style alternative or add a separate shape if you need a solid recolorable component.
The wrong object is selected: Use the Layers panel to locate the intended layer, especially when objects overlap.
The color looks different on another screen: Displays can render colors differently, and a screen preview is not a guarantee of an exact print match. Check the exported design and, for print, review the printer’s color requirements.
The color picker will not accept a value: Check that the code is a valid hex value, typically six hexadecimal characters, and try entering it without or with the leading # depending on the field.

Changing a color in the editor is generally a reversible design edit, not a change to the original image file stored on your device. If the result is important, keep a copy of the design before making many edits or use undo if the change is not right.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I change the color of a shape in Canva?
Select the shape, open its color tile in the toolbar, and choose a palette color or enter a custom value in the picker.

Can I change the color of an element to an exact hex code?
Usually, yes, when the selected element has an editable color control. Open the picker and enter the valid hex value in its color field.

Why can’t I change the color of an element?
The item may be a photo, a flattened graphic, or an asset without editable color areas. Check whether color tiles appear when it is selected, or find a more editable alternative.

Can I change just one color in an illustration?
Some illustrations expose separate color tiles for their different parts. Select the illustration and see whether the toolbar shows multiple colors; if it does, choose the tile for the part you want to edit.

Can I recolor multiple Canva elements at once?
You can select multiple objects and try changing a shared color control, but the result depends on the objects and how they are built. For reliable results, edit each incompatible object separately.

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