Google Calendar is more than just a handy tool for planning your life and work; it can also be a canvas for expressing yourself.
Customized colors do more than just add a pleasing visual touch to your calendar. They also help you get organized by distinguishing between different types of events or tasks.
This guide shows you how to change Google Calendar colors in various devices, step-by-step. Whether you’re doing it from desktop, iPhone, or Android, we've got you covered. Dive in and let your calendar reflect how excited you are about what you’ve got planned.
Why Change Your Calendar's Color Scheme?
Changing the colors of your calendar doesn’t just make it look nice; they also make it easy to schedule your routine. You can quickly spot your plans by assigning different colors to events or categories.
Do you need to keep personal events separate from work meetings? Choose different colors for each!
As a writer, I’m always using color-coding to better manage my time. For example, I use different shades of purple to highlight personal work and shades of green to mark tasks for clients.
This allows me to quickly identify my commitments without having to read through each entry. It's a simple yet effective way for me to make my calendar work for me.
How to Change Google Calendar Colors
No matter what device you are using, the process of changing your Google Calendar colors is super simple. Here's a short guide for each device or professional.
Change Google Calendar Colors on Desktop
- Open Google Calendar in your favorite web browser.
- Locate the calendar you want to change on the left side.
- Click the three dots next to the calendar's name.
- From the drop-down menu, select a color, or click the "+" for a custom color.

Change Google Calendar Colors on iPhone
- Open the Google Calendar app on your iPhone.
- Tap the three horizontal lines in the top left.
- Select 'Settings,' followed by the calendar you'd like to change.
- Tap on the color name on the top.
- Choose the color you want.
Change Google Calendar Colors on Android
- Open the Google Calendar app on your Android device.
- Tap the three horizontal lines in the top left corner.
- Select 'Settings,' then the calendar you want to change.
- Tap 'Color' and pick the right color from the available options.
.jpg)
Change Google Calendar Colors on Tablet
- Open the Google Calendar app on your tablet.
- Tap the three horizontal lines in the top left.
- Select 'Settings,' then the calendar you want to change.
- Tap 'Color,' and then pick a color.
Can I Add More Colors to Google Calendar Events?
Yes! Google Calendar offers a wide range of pre-set colors, but there are times when you'd like a touch more personalization. If you'd like to add custom colors beyond the provided palette, then this will be good news!
While Google Calendar's mobile version has a limited color selection, the desktop version is different. On desktop, you have the flexibility to choose custom colors for your calendars.
However, it's important to note that this customization applies only to calendars as a whole, not to individual events.
This feature ensures your schedule is vibrant, at least when accessed from a desktop, where you can choose the custom color. Changes will apply to all devices.
How Do I Change the Color of Recurring Events?
Changing the color theme on your Google Calendar allows you to modify the overall look and feel. This helps you organize your schedule of events, meetings, and appointments more effectively.
Here are some simple steps to change the color of recurring events:
- Open Google Calendar: Begin by logging into your Google Calendar account.
- Select the recurring Event: Click on any of the events you'd like to change.
- Change the Event Color: Once the event details pop up, you'll see a colored circle next to the event name. Click on that, and a color palette will appear. Then choose the desired color for the event. For a custom color, you will have to change the color of the calendar, not the individual event.
- Save: After selecting the color, ensure you save the changes for it to take effect everywhere the event pops up.

Now all the times that recurrent event pops up will appear in the new color, helping you spot them at a glance.
Google Calendar Color Theme Inspiration
A well-chosen color theme can transform your Google Calendar into a thing of beauty. Here are five theme ideas that can make planning more fun:
- Pastel Theme: Soft and calming pastels create a calming view for your daily schedule.
- Corporate Theme: Strong and bold colors define different work-related categories. This makes it simple to distinguish meetings, deadlines, and projects.
- Seasonal Theme: Reflect the changing seasons with a Google Calendar color scheme. Choose shades that match the time of the year, like warm autumnal tones or vibrant summer colors.
- Monochrome Theme: A minimalist black-and-white or grayscale theme offers a sleek and professional appearance for those who prefer a classic look.
- Wellness Theme: If you manage health or self-care routines, soothing blues and greens can create a wellness-focused vibe.

Does Changing the Color of an Event in a Shared Calendar Change it for Everyone?
Short answer—no. When you change the color of an event in a shared calendar, it only affects your view, not the views of others who have access to the calendar.
This enables each user to have their own distinct color scheme that works best for them while not affecting what everyone else can see. It's a well-thought-out design feature that keeps personal preferences private, even in a collaborative setting.
How to Change the Color of Multiple Events
In Google Calendar, when you modify the color of a specific calendar, all events will appear in the new color. If you wish to change colors for several events at once, they must be part of the same calendar.
Navigating a packed agenda requires an efficient way to color code events for better organization. A design like this helps make everything look neat, but remember that it won’t apply to events in separate calendars.
Organization Tips for Calendars and Calls
Customizing your Google Calendar with color-coded events is just one way to create a super-organized scheduling system. But what about important call and meeting invites?
Here are five essential tips to help you organize your calendars and calls:
- Use Filters and Search: Google Calendar's search and filtering options can quickly locate specific events or dates, making it easier to navigate.
- Transcribe and Summarize Meetings: With Tactiq's tool for Google Meet, you can easily summarize lengthy meetings. Its built-in ChatGPT functionalities make this extra fast. Install it from the Google Chrome Web store.
- Manage Google Meet Recordings: Keep your recordings organized by understanding where they are stored and how to find them quickly.
- Set Timely Reminders: Use reminders in your calendar to ensure you never miss an important call or deadline.
- Sync Across Devices: Make sure you’ve got the Google Calendar app available on all devices for seamless access and scheduling.
By introducing these simple and effective tips, you’ll be more organized and feel better about your plans. Whether you're trying to manage multiple appointments or separate your work and personal life, these simple changes will make your calendar easier to use.