Background Maker
Create a colorful wallpaper online for your desktop, phone, or even as an Instagram story background.
Use a Popular Palette
Click on any palettes below to use them in the background maker.
How to Make a Background
Creating a custom background takes about ten seconds:
- Pick a background style, from a smooth gradient to low-poly triangles, particles, waves, or a solid color.
- Choose your colors, or hit the shuffle button to generate a fresh palette instantly.
- Set the size to match where it is going, like a desktop wallpaper, a phone screen, or a square social post.
- Fine-tune the style options, then download a high-resolution PNG, free and with no sign-up.
Background Styles
Each style turns the same set of colors into a completely different look:
- Gradient blends your colors into one smooth transition. The classic, clean background.
- Palette uses hard stops between colors for bold, blocky color fields.
- Trianglify scatters low-poly triangles across the canvas for a faceted, geometric feel.
- Particles connects floating dots into a light, techy network pattern.
- Waves flows your colors into soft, layered wave shapes.
- Stripes fills angled lines with a gradient for a striped, dynamic look.
- Solid fills the whole background with a single color from your palette.
Picking the Right Size
The size you choose decides where your background will look its best:
- Widescreen 16:9 (1920×1080) for desktop and laptop wallpapers, slides, and video backgrounds.
- 4K 16:9 (3840×2160) when you want extra sharpness on a large or high-resolution display.
- Mobile 9:16 (1080×1920) for phone lock screens, wallpapers, and Instagram or TikTok stories.
- Square 1:1 (1080×1080) for profile backgrounds and feed posts.
- Portrait 4:5 for the taller image size that performs well in social feeds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the background maker free?
Yes. Every background is free to create and download as a high-resolution PNG, with no account or sign-up required.
What file format do I get?
Backgrounds download as PNG images at the resolution you select, ready to set as a wallpaper or drop into a design.
Can I use my backgrounds commercially?
Yes. You generate each background from your own color choices, so you are free to use the results in personal and commercial projects.
How do I change the colors?
Use the color pickers below the preview. Add more colors with the plus button, swap any color, or hit shuffle to generate a brand new palette. The preview updates live.
Can I make a phone wallpaper?
Yes. Set the size to Mobile (9:16) and download. The background renders at full phone resolution so it stays crisp on screen.
Where do the popular palettes come from?
The palettes lower on this page are community favorites from ColorKit. Click any one to load it straight into the maker as a starting point.