How to Make a Custom Zoom Background

A custom Zoom background lets you replace the room behind you with a photo, illustration, or branded design, without changing your physical space. Make an image that fits Zoom’s landscape video frame, then add it in the desktop or mobile app; a physical green screen is optional, but good lighting and a supported device help.

What You’ll Need

A computer or mobile device with the Zoom app installed and updated. Available background features can depend on your device, app version, and account or organization settings.
An image file saved on your device. Use a landscape image; 16:9 proportions, such as 1920 × 1080 pixels, are a practical choice. Zoom can accept common image formats such as JPG/JPEG and PNG.
A well-lit space and a camera. A plain, contrasting background helps Zoom separate you from the scene. A green screen can improve the effect, but is not required.

Step-by-Step

Choose the design. Select a photo, simple graphic, or image you have permission to use. Keep the central area relatively uncluttered so your face and shoulders remain easy to see. Avoid placing important words or logos near the edges, where the camera crop may hide them.
Prepare the image. Crop it to a horizontal 16:9 frame if possible. A 1920 × 1080 image usually provides enough detail for a typical video call. Save it as a JPG/JPEG or PNG in a folder you can find. Smaller images may look blurry when stretched; very large files may take longer to load.
Check your room and camera. Put light in front of you rather than behind you, and avoid clothing that matches the main background color. Position the camera at eye level and make sure your head and shoulders are in frame. If you use a green screen, stretch it smooth and light it evenly.
Open Zoom’s background settings on a computer. Launch the Zoom desktop app and sign in if needed. Click your profile picture or initials, choose Settings, then open Background & Effects. In some versions or account configurations, the setting may appear under a similarly named virtual-background section.
Add your image. In the virtual background area, choose the plus (+) control and select Add Image. Browse to the file, select it, and confirm. The image should appear as a background preview. If prompted, grant Zoom permission to use the camera.
Preview before a meeting. Check how the image looks in the settings preview. Look for an upside-down image, distracting edges, or parts of your body disappearing. Zoom may mirror your self-view; that does not necessarily mean other participants see the background reversed. Test any text using another device or ask a participant to confirm its direction.
Apply it in a meeting if needed. In a meeting, click the arrow beside Start Video or Stop Video, then open the background or video-effects option. Select the image you added. The exact label and location can vary across app versions. You can also open Background & Effects from the meeting’s video settings.
Set it up on a phone or tablet. Join or start a meeting in the Zoom mobile app, tap More, then look for Backgrounds & Effects or Virtual Background. Choose an available image or use the add control if your version provides it. Mobile support and the ability to import a personal image vary by device and app version; if the option is missing, configure it on a supported computer or update the app.
Keep or remove the background. Select another background or choose None to return to your real surroundings. A selected virtual background may remain available for later meetings, so check the preview before joining a call where you do not want it.

Common Mistakes

Using a portrait or oddly cropped image: Zoom’s video is usually landscape, so a portrait image can leave empty areas or crop out the subject. Prepare a horizontal version instead.
Choosing a busy or low-contrast design: Fine patterns, clutter, and colors similar to your clothes can make the outline around your hair and shoulders flicker. Use a simpler image and wear a contrasting top.
Standing in front of uneven lighting: Shadows and bright windows can confuse background detection. Face a steady light source and avoid strong light directly behind you.
Assuming every device supports the feature: Older hardware, some mobile devices, or organization restrictions may hide or limit the setting. Check app updates, device requirements, and account controls rather than repeatedly reinstalling the same image.
Ignoring image rights or privacy: Use your own design or an image you are allowed to use. Avoid including private information, addresses, or details you would not want visible in a recording or screenshot.

Tips

Keep the main subject or logo away from the lower edge, where your video tile or meeting controls may cover it.
Choose a background that looks plausible for the call and does not compete with your face. A neutral room or subtle gradient is often easier to view than a high-contrast scene.
Save a few versions with different brightness or crop settings. This makes it easy to switch if your lighting or camera framing changes.
If you use a green screen, choose a screen color that does not appear in your clothing, keep it evenly lit, and sit a little distance in front of it to reduce shadows.
For an important meeting, join early and check your video with the actual camera, clothing, and lighting you plan to use.

Troubleshooting

The background option is missing: Update the Zoom app, then check Settings and the in-meeting video menu. Feature availability can depend on device capability and account or administrator settings. If you use a work or school account, ask its administrator whether virtual backgrounds are enabled. On mobile, try the desktop app if your device does not offer image import.

The image will not add: Confirm that the file is a supported image type, opens normally on your device, and is stored locally rather than in an unavailable cloud folder. Try exporting a fresh JPG or PNG and selecting it again.

You look cut out or parts disappear: Improve the lighting, move away from a similarly colored wall, and wear clothing that contrasts with the scene. Turn off the green-screen option if you are not using a green screen. If detection remains poor, try a plain background or use a physical screen.

The background looks blurry or stretched: Use a higher-resolution landscape image, ideally close to 16:9, and avoid enlarging a small image. Check that the camera lens is clean and that the room has enough light.

The background does not appear to other people: Confirm it is selected in the active meeting, not only in a settings preview. Stop and restart video if needed. Ask another participant what they see; a mirrored self-view is normal and may not match their view.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size should a custom Zoom background be?
A 16:9 landscape image is a reliable starting point. For example, 1920 × 1080 pixels gives a clear image for many calls, though Zoom can resize other dimensions.

Can I make a Zoom background without a green screen?
Yes. Zoom can detect and separate you from many ordinary backgrounds. Even lighting and a clear contrast between you and your surroundings improve the result.

Why can’t I see Virtual Background in Zoom?
Your device may not support it, the app may need an update, or an account administrator may have disabled it. Check settings on another supported device or ask the account administrator.

Can I use a video as my custom background?
Some Zoom versions offer built-in video backgrounds, but personal video upload support can vary. Check the options shown in your app; if it only offers image upload, use a still image.

Will other participants see my background mirrored?
Your own preview may be mirrored for a more natural self-view. Participants generally see the non-mirrored view, so check with someone else if text or a logo must read correctly.

How do I remove a custom Zoom background?
Open the background settings and choose None. This turns off the virtual background and shows your actual surroundings.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.

More cards in this drawer

The whole Numbers and Powers drawer →