Google Calendar comes with a set of preset colors, but you can create custom colors to match your needs

Google Calendar offers more color options than the default palette shows. You can pick from a larger set of preset colors, or create your own custom color by entering a hex code. The process differs slightly depending on whether you are using the web version or the mobile app.

The web version gives you the most control. You can access additional colors through the calendar settings menu, and you can save custom colors for future use. Mobile apps have fewer color options but still let you choose from the extended palette.

Key Takeaways

  • Google Calendar's web version lets you pick from dozens of preset colors plus create unlimited custom colors using hex codes.
  • To add a color to a calendar, right-click the calendar name in the left sidebar, select "Settings," then choose "Color" from the menu.
  • Custom colors are saved to your account, so they appear in the color picker whenever you need them again.
  • Mobile apps show fewer color choices than the web version, but you can still select from the extended preset palette.

Adding colors on the web version

Open Google Calendar in your browser and look at the left sidebar where your calendars are listed. Find the calendar you want to change and right-click its name. A menu will appear with several options. Click "Settings."

The settings page will open. Look for the "Color" section near the top of the page. Click on the color box next to "Color" to open the color picker. You will see a grid of preset colors arranged in rows. Click any color to apply it immediately to your calendar.

If none of the preset colors match what you want, look for the text field at the bottom of the color picker. This field accepts hex color codes. Enter a hex code (for example, #FF5733 for a shade of orange) and press Enter. Google Calendar will add that custom color to your palette and apply it to the calendar.

Creating and saving custom colors

Custom colors you create are saved to your Google account. The next time you open the color picker for any calendar, your custom colors will appear at the top of the palette. This means you can build a set of colors that match your workflow or personal preference.

If you use multiple calendars for different purposes — work, personal, fitness, finances — you can assign each one a distinct custom color. This makes it easier to spot which calendar an event belongs to at a glance. You can create as many custom colors as you need.

To find hex codes for colors you like, use a color picker tool online. Search "hex color picker" and you will find tools that let you select a color visually and copy its hex code. You can also search for color palettes designed for calendars or productivity apps.

Adding colors on Android and iPhone

The Google Calendar mobile app has fewer color options than the web version, but the process is straightforward. Open the app and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top left corner. Tap "Settings."

Find the calendar you want to change and tap its name. Scroll down to the "Color" option and tap it. You will see a palette of preset colors. Tap the color you want to use. The app does not support custom hex codes, so you are limited to the colors shown.

If you need a specific custom color, create it on the web version first. Once saved to your account, that color will appear in the mobile app's color picker the next time you open it.

Changing colors for individual events

You can also change the color of a single event without changing the entire calendar. Open the event by clicking or tapping it. Click or tap "Edit event" to open the event details. Look for the color option — on the web it appears as a colored circle near the top of the form. Click it to open the color picker and choose a new color for just that event.

This is useful when you want one event to stand out, or when you are moving an event to a different calendar but want to keep it visually grouped with its original calendar's color. The event color overrides the calendar color, so it will display in the color you choose regardless of what color the calendar itself is set to.

Organizing calendars by color

A common strategy is to assign one color to all work-related calendars, another to personal events, and a third to shared family calendars. This makes it faster to scan your calendar and understand what type of commitment each event represents. You can also use color to show priority — for example, a bright red for urgent deadlines and a muted gray for low-priority tasks.

If you share calendars with others, the color you choose appears on their view of the calendar too. This means your team or family sees the same color scheme you do, which can help everyone stay organized.

Troubleshooting color changes

If you change a calendar's color and it does not update right away, refresh your browser or close and reopen the mobile app. Sometimes the change takes a few seconds to sync across Google's servers.

If a custom color you created is not appearing in the color picker on your mobile device, make sure you are signed into the same Google account on both the web and mobile versions. Custom colors sync across devices, but only if you are using the same account.

If you accidentally delete a custom color from your palette, you can recreate it by entering the same hex code again. Google Calendar will recognize it as the same color and restore it to your saved colors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the same custom color for multiple calendars?

Yes. Once you create a custom color, it appears in the color picker for every calendar. You can assign the same custom color to as many calendars as you want.

What happens to event colors if I change my calendar's color?

Events that have their own color assigned will keep that color. Only events that were using the calendar's default color will change to match the new calendar color.

Can I see what hex code a preset color uses?

Google Calendar does not display hex codes for preset colors. If you want to know the exact code, you can use a browser color picker tool to sample the color from your screen, or you can search online for "Google Calendar color codes" to find lists that others have documented.

Do custom colors sync between my computer and phone?

Custom colors sync automatically if you are signed into the same Google account on both devices. The mobile app may take a few minutes to download the updated color palette after you create a new color on the web.

Can I change the color of a recurring event?

Yes. When you edit a recurring event and change its color, Google Calendar will ask whether you want to change only this event or all events in the series. Choose the option that fits what you need.