CSS background-color Property Reference
The CSS background-color property is a standard property in CSS Backgrounds and Borders. Review its formal syntax, computed behavior, and practical declarations.
Updated 2026-08-12
background-color overview
The CSS background-color property is a standard property in CSS Backgrounds and Borders. Review its formal syntax, computed behavior, and practical declarations.
The property is not inherited by default. Use an explicit global keyword when inheritance is intended.
Syntax and formal definition
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Formal syntax | <color> |
| Initial value | transparent |
| Applies to | allElements |
| Inherited | No |
| Percentages | no |
| Computed value | computedColor |
| Animation type | color |
| Media | visual |
| Specification group | CSS Backgrounds and Borders |
| Status | Standard |
Practical examples
These declarations demonstrate valid ways to set background-color. The initial and inherit global keywords remain available even when a property-specific value is preferable.
CSS
.reset-example {
background-color: initial;
}
.inherit-example {
background-color: inherit;
}
@supports (background-color: rebeccapurple) {
.supported {
background-color: rebeccapurple;
}
}