How to Change Background Color on Any Website

Learn how to use Helperbird's change background color. Complete guide for improving web accessibility and reading support.

What is Background Color?

The background color feature lets you change the background color of any website. Instead of reading on a bright white background, you can choose softer colors like cream, light blue, or any color that is easier on your eyes.

This is different from an overlay because it actually changes the page background rather than adding a tinted layer on top.


Who is This For?

This feature is helpful for:

  • People who find bright white backgrounds uncomfortable
  • Anyone who experiences eye strain or headaches when reading online
  • People with dyslexia who benefit from colored backgrounds
  • Students who read for long periods
  • Anyone who wants to reduce screen glare

Step 1: Open Helperbird

Click the Helperbird icon in your browser toolbar. It looks like a small owl and is usually in the top-right corner of your browser.

This will open the Helperbird menu.


Step 2: Open the All Features Section

Scroll down to the bottom of the Helperbird menu. You will see a section called All Features.

Click the arrow next to All Features to expand it and show all available features.


Step 3: Find Text Settings

Look through the list of features until you see Text settings.

It has a yellow icon with the letter "T" on it.


Step 4: Open Text Settings

Click on Text settings to open it.

A panel will appear with three tabs at the top: Text, Colors, and Border.


Step 5: Go to the Colors Tab

Click on the Colors tab to see all the color options.

This is where you will find the background color option along with other color settings.


Step 6: Turn on Background Color

In the Colors tab, look for Background.

Click the toggle switch next to it to turn it on. The toggle will turn green when it is enabled.


Step 7: Choose Your Color

Once Background is turned on, a color palette will appear below the toggle.

Click on any color to select it. The background color of the website will change immediately so you can see how it looks.

If you do not see a color you like, you can click the color picker icon to choose any custom color.

Tip: Soft, warm colors like cream, light yellow, or light blue are popular choices for reducing eye strain. Avoid very bright or neon colors as they can be just as tiring as white.


Video Tutorial


Need Additional Help?

If you have any questions or run into any issues, please contact the Helperbird support team. You can reach us at Helperbird support. We are happy to help you get the most out of Helperbird.

What People Are Saying

Join over 1,000,000 people who use Helperbird every day.

Insightful functionality. Well done.

David Linde

David Linde

Helperbird user

This tool helps so many of our students at school - not only those students who have dyslexia, but students and adults who have other learning differences (and those who don't!). It helps ensure that all students have the opportunity to succeed in their learning!

Kim Norris

Kim Norris

Helperbird user

It's helped me immensely with being able to focus and process words on any website

Emily Chan

Emily Chan

Helperbird user

I've been meaning to write this review for a while now. My daughter is newly diagnosed with dyslexia and I heard an interview with Robert on a Newstalk podcast and sought it out. I wasn't sure if I had it installed correctly on her laptop and Robert was on straight away to help. He was amazing. This app has changed everything for my daughter. Everything is accessible to her and everyday tasks and schoolwork are so much easier. She also has visual stress so the coloured overlay feature is a game changer for her. I would highly recommend this app to anyone, she couldn't be without it now!

James Summer

James Summer

Helperbird user

Fantastic! Great software and simple to use even for kids new to the computer. Provides the option to tailor every variable to make any page easier to read. Really excellent. Super helpful support too. Great job!

Rebecca Meldrum

Rebecca Meldrum

High School teacher

Amazing tool, love the new overlay feature!!

James Connel

James Connel

Helperbird user

Helperbird logo: Stylized owl with large yellow eyes and a beige face, against a green background.

Download Helperbird

Make browsing easier and more accessible with tools like Text to Speech, Immersive Reader, and more.