> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://learnpython.strivemath.com/p5-python-web/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://learnpython.strivemath.com/p5-python-web/reference/colour-and-outline/background.md).

# background()

### Example

<figure><img src="/files/1EEw7SBMRPTZphN9uBX2" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

```python
background('hotpink')
```

### Syntax

```python
background('NAME')
```

or

```python
background(a,b,c)
```

or

```python
background(VALUE)
```

or

```
background(IMAGE)
```

| Input | Description                                                                                                                                                                |
| ----- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| NAME  | the name of any HTML color, for example: **blue**, **green**, **lightgrey**, **skyblue**, etc...                                                                           |
| a,b,c | RGB or HSB values - see Description below                                                                                                                                  |
| VALUE | a number from 0 - 255, greyscale with 0 being black and 255 being white                                                                                                    |
| IMAGE | variable name of a loaded image (see [loadImage()](/p5-python-web/reference/images-and-audio/loadimage-and-image.md)) to be used as an entire background across the canvas |

### Description

Changes the color of the **background** of the entire canvas. Input can either be the name of an HTML color, a value **0 - 255** for greyscale values with **0 being black** and **255 being white**. Input can also be three numbers for the RGB or HSB color scale - see [colorMode()](/p5-python-web/reference/colour-and-outline/colormode.md). Finally, input can be the name of a loaded **image**, which will be stretched to cover the entire canvs.

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---

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