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Using Divi Background Options

Divi's background options are a powerful suite of design features that include background color options, gradient options, and more.

Updated over a week ago

The Divi background options go far beyond the ability to add a simple background color. They're an advanced suite of tools that bring your backgrounds to life, including:

  • Color options

  • Gradient options

  • Image options

  • Video options

  • Pattern options

  • Mask options

In this guide, we'll show you how to use it all. Let's get started!

How to Access the Divi Background Options

Divi's Background options can be accessed by clicking to edit any module, column, row, or section.

  1. Enable Visual Builder by clicking the Visual Builder option in the top admin bar.

    enable visual builder

  2. Hover over the top left corner of the page until the blue bar appears

  3. Click the gear icon to access the section settings

    edit hero section

  4. Click the Background option group by toggling the arrow in the settings menu.

    access background options

Overview of Divi Background Options

Here, you'll have access to all of Divi's Background options, which include:

  • Background Color

  • Background Gradient

  • Background Image

  • Background Video

  • Background Pattern

  • Background Mask

Additionally, you have access to Divi's magic color system. Colors can be edited, saved as global, or modified to choose harmonious colors for your designs.

Divi background options

You'll also find hover options, allowing you to change settings based on the user's mouseover actions.

There are responsive settings for the background. These allow you to change settings based on screen size.

background hover options

Divi Background Tabs

There are six separate background tabs within the Divi background options. Each has a robust set of options to help you create gorgeous, one-of-a-kind designs for your web pages.

Background Color Tab

Divi background tabs

The first tab allows you to set the color of your background using Divi's advanced color system - a dynamic color system that allows you to create and edit colors that can be used throughout your website.

In addition, colors can be saved globally so that changes are simple and applied across your website. There's no need to click into every module, row, or section where colors are applied to edit them.

Divi's unique find & replace system allows replacing colors by right-clicking on any background color.

Divi background color options

Check out our documentation to learn more about Divi's dynamic color system.

Background Gradient Tab

background gradient

The Background Gradient tab enables you to create gradient effects for your backgrounds using the magic color system.

You can also add color stops to create unique gradients with four different gradient types. There are additional options for gradient direction, repeat, and gradient units. You can also apply a gradient over a background image.

Background Image Tab

background image tab

This tab allows you to add background images to sections, rows, and modules. You can apply parallax effects, change background size and position, and repeat.

Additionally, you can choose from 16 different blend modes to create unique effects when combined with colors, gradients, patterns, and masks.

blending modes

Background Video Tab

background video tab

You can add video elements as backgrounds using the Background Video tab. Divi supports self-hosted video files in both mp4 and webm formats.

You can adjust the background video's width and height and how your video functions on the page. You can pause when not in view or while another video is playing.

Background Pattern Tab

background pattern tab

Background Patterns add a unique look to your background with 24 different options. Settings include choosing the pattern color, horizontal, vertical, and flip options, as well as size and repeat origin.

Additionally, you can choose the horizontal and vertical offset and whether to repeat it. There are 16 blend modes to adjust the Mask's appearance in relation to other background tab settings.

Background Mask Tab

background mask tab

Background Masks give you options to add shapes to your backgrounds.

There are 23 different shapes available with color, transform, and aspect ratio controls. You can also choose the size and blend mode options for masks.

How To Add Color in Divi Background Options

  1. Click the paint bucket icon

  2. Click the Add Background Color button to add the color of your choosing.

  3. Click into the color picker area or insert a hex color code directly. Colors can also be added from saved, global, or recent colors

add a background color

How To Add a Gradient in Divi Background Options

  1. Select the second Tab - Background Gradient

  2. Click the Add Background Gradient button

add a background gradient

To edit your Gradient:

  1. Click into the Divi gradient bar on each color stop.

  2. Input a specific hex code, use Divi's magic color system to generate a color, or load a recent, global, or saved color.

edit background gradient

How to Add a Color Stop

You can add as many color stops as you would like.

  1. Click on the gradient slider to add a stop.

    add a color stop

  2. Double-click the stop to change the color.

You can choose a color from saved, global, or recent colors. Additionally, you can click within the color picker to choose a custom one.

edit color stop

To change the position of the stop, click and drag it to the location you wish. The closer the stops are together, the tighter the color blend.

slide color stop

Divi Gradient types

There are four gradient types in Divi background options.

  1. Linear

  2. Circular

  3. Elliptical

  4. Conical

Each type gives a different effect for gradients. Experiment with gradient types to achieve the desired look. Let's explore the different gradient types so you have a better understanding of how they work.

  • Linear Gradient - Divi adds the linear Gradient by default when you click the Add Background Gradient button.

You can choose the direction for your Gradient, with 180 degrees being the default position.

Modifying the gradient type's direction alters the look. Click the gradient slider or manually adjust it in the field to adjust a gradient.

  • Circular Gradient - Circular gradients add a rounded effect to a gradient. Similar to linear, you can apply different positions to change the appearance.

  • Elliptical GradientThe elliptical Gradient is similar to the circular one, but it creates an elliptical appearance.

  • Conical Gradient - The last gradient type available in the Divi background options is conical. It's a bit different than the others. It is the only gradient type that doesn't allow for gradient units to be changed.

Divi Gradient Direction

As demonstrated in the previous section, gradient direction assists in changing the look of a gradient. In our example, a linear gradient with overlapping colors stops at a 147-degree angle, giving the appearance of a sharp-angled line between colors.

Divi Repeat Gradient

The gradient repeat option creates patterns in your gradient based on the color stops used.

Stops are the measurements that determine where the colors appear and end within the Gradient:

  • The first color stop signifies where the Gradient begins.

  • The last color stop signifies where the Gradient ends.

Additional color stops are used to blend the gradient. Gradient repeat can create visually captivating images within your background designs. They can be combined with two or more color stops and, depending on the gradient unit used will enable unique looks.

The example below uses three color stops set to 0, 2, and 4 percent.

Note: Remember, the placement of the color stop determines how tight the Gradient is.

When the repeat gradient toggle is enabled to yes, Divi will repeat the Gradient as many times as necessary to fill the available space.

repeat gradient

Divi Gradient Units

Gradient units determine the measurement applied to the color stops in gradients.

Designs are altered based on the unit of measurement.

Example: When using percent as your gradient unit, a gradient with color stops set to 44 and 100 will have a 56% distance between the two colors.

On the other hand, using centimeters would apply a 56cm distance between color stops, which is a sizable difference.

gradient units

Applying a Gradient Over a Background Image

The last option for gradients is to choose whether to overlay your Gradient above a background image.

When toggled to yes, your Gradient will appear over an image if you add one.

Note: The color's transparency level needs to be adjusted for the background image to be visible.

  1. Set the place gradient above the background image to yes.

  2. Click into the gradient slider on any color stop,

  3. Adjust the transparency to reveal the background image beneath it.

color stop transparency

To learn more about the Divi Gradient Builder, check out our documentation.

How To Add An Image in Divi Background Options

Another great feature of the Divi background options is adding an image to your background. The background image settings are on the third tab in the Background options.

  1. Select the third Tab - Background Image

  2. Click the Add Background Image button

  3. Choose one already in the media library, or upload a new one.

add background image

Several effects can be applied to your images to add more interest.

Parallax Effect (Js or CSS)

The parallax effect gives the perception of life-like distance and motion utilizing two-dimensional animation.

The scrolling speeds of different elements in the background create the illusion of movement, which, in actuality, the element remains fixed.

To enable the parallax effect in Divi's background options, toggle the parallax effect to yes.

parallax

If enabled, choose between true parallax (JS) or CSS.

True parallax uses a combination of CSS and JavaScript to create a slower, more life-like representation than other elements on the page.

When using the CSS method, only CSS is used to create the effect. The background is held in place while the other elements on the page scroll normally.

parallax method

Divi Background Image Size

  • Cover - The actual Image's size will fill the element's container width to which the Image is set as a background image

  • Fit - Place the Image within the constraints of the available space

  • Actual size - Use the actual image size (width and height)

  • Stretch to Fill - Stretch the Image, regardless of size, to fill out the entire element's container size to which the Image is set as a background image.

  • Custom Size - Define the custom size of the background image, regardless of the actual image size.

    custom background image size

background image size

Divi Background Image Position

Control the position of your Image. Choices are:

  • Top Left

  • Top Center

  • Top Right

  • Center Left

  • Center

  • Center Right

  • Bottom Left

  • Bottom Center

  • Bottom Right.

background image position

Divi Background Image Horizontal & Vertical Offset

You can set the horizontal and vertical offset depending on your chosen image position.

Example: If you set your background size to actual, then align it to the bottom right, the background image horizontal offset will appear.

To adjust the offset placement, click the offset slider to adjust the Image's horizontal or vertical offset position.

background offset

Divi Background Image Repeat

This option will repeat the background image if enabled. You can choose between:

  • Repeat

  • Repeat X (horizontal)

  • Repeat Y (vertical)

  • Repeat with space between

  • Repeat and stretch

  • No repeat

background image repeat

Divi Background Image Blend

Blend modes allow for different effects to be incorporated into your images.

Example: Choosing a screen will lighten your Image's appearance and allow it to blend into the background gradient.

Overall, there are 16 blend modes to choose from.

background image blend

How To Add a Video in Divi Background Options

Within the Divi background options, users can add two types of self-hosted video formats:

  • mp4

  • webm

Important Note: Not all browsers can handle the MP4 format, so it's good practice to add both when using Video within Divi.

  1. Select the fourth Tab - Background Video

  2. Click the Add Background Video button

  3. Choose one already in the media library, or upload a new one.

Background Video Width & Height

This is where you specify the height and width of your Video.

background video width height

Pause Video When Another Video Plays

If multiple videos exist on your webpage, you can pause the video while another plays. To enable this feature, be sure to toggle this option to yes.

pause video

Pause Video While Not in View

Enable this option to pause the video while your site's visitors view other content. This is especially useful if the Video contains pertinent information you want users to see.

pause view

How to Add a Pattern in Divi Background Options

Divi background patterns can be combined with colors, gradients, images, videos, and masks.

Patterns will sit on top of other elements to provide depth and visual appeal when enabled.

  1. Select the fifth Tab - Background Patterns

  2. Click the Add Background Pattern button

  3. Choose one of the available predefined patterns

add background pattern

Divi comes with 24 pattern options to enhance your background design. Patterns can be flipped, rotated, and inverted to create unlimited looks.

divi pattern options

Pattern Color & Color Opacity

As with other Divi background options, users can edit the color associated with patterns. In addition, the opacity can be adjusted.

Users can edit or create swatches from recent, saved, or global colors using Divi's magic color system. Refer to our documentation on the Divi color management system to learn more.

pattern color opacity

Pattern Transform

Once you set a pattern, you can use pattern transform to alter its appearance. You can flip it horizontally or vertically, rotate it, or invert it for an even more unique look.

pattern transform

Pattern Size

The size of your pattern can be changed in several ways.

  • Actual

  • Cover

  • Stretch to fill

  • Fit

  • Custom Size

With custom size, you can adjust horizontal and vertical elements by clicking on their respective sliders.

pattern size

Pattern Repeat Origin

This option controls which position to repeat the pattern. Because patterns are seamless and repeatable, you'll want to set the position of your pattern. Users can choose a center, left, right, or bottom position like background gradient and Image.

pattern repeat origin

Pattern Horizontal & Vertical Offset

This allows you to choose the point your pattern begins, with horizontal and vertical options. Click on each slider to adjust the vertical or horizontal offset position.

pattern offset

Pattern Repeat

You can choose the type of repeat applied to your pattern. Choices are

  • Repeat

  • Repeat X (horizontal)

  • Repeat Y (vertical)

  • Repeat with space between

  • Repeat and Stretch

pattern repeat

Pattern Blend Mode

Divi's pattern blend mode allows 16 options for blending your pattern into your background color, Gradient, Image, or Video. Each has a different effect, so we encourage familiarizing yourself with the options to choose the best look for your design.

pattern blend mode

How to Add a Mask in Divi Background Options

Background masks use positive and negative space to create shapes for your designs. They are placed on top of gradients, images, videos, and patterns to create striking backgrounds.

Combined with other elements, you can create unique background designs where no two backgrounds are identical. There are 23 mask options to choose from.

  1. Select the sixth Tab - Background Video

  2. Click the Add Background Mask button

  3. Choose one of the available predefined Masks.

add background mask

In addition to adding background masks, you can choose a mask color and transform it by flipping it horizontally or vertically, rotating it, or inverting it.

The mask aspect ratio has several orientations:

  • Landscape

  • Portrait

  • Square.

Mask color

The mask color can be a static color of your choosing. Additionally, you can choose to use a recent, saved or global color.

Another option is to use Divi's dynamic color system to choose a color for your Mask. Opacity can be adjusted on your color to reveal other elements being used in background options.

mask color

Mask Transform

The mask transform setting allows you to flip your Mask horizontally or vertically and rotate or invert it.

mask transform

Mask Aspect Ratio

The mask aspect ratio allows several orientations to change the Mask's appearance. By default, the portrait is selected. Other options are square and landscape.

mask aspect ratio

Mask Size

Four Mask sizes are available with Divi background options:

  • Stretch to fill - the Mask will occupy all available space allocated

  • Cover - The mask will cover the entire element's height

  • Fit - The mask will cover the entire element's height and width. This will force the Mask to be repeated

  • Custom size - Define a custom size for the Mask.

These allow you to control the position of your Mask.

mask size

Mask Blend Mode

There are 16 blend modes available to apply to your masks: multiply, screen, overlay, darken, lighten, color dodge, color burn, hard light, soft light, difference, exclusion, hue, saturation, color, and luminosity.

Each one allows for different effects for your masks.

mask blend mode

Continue Learning

To learn more about using Divi's background options, check out some of our useful tutorials and information to assist you in creating beautiful backgrounds for your Divi websites.

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