Looking to customize Discord's appearance? Whether you need better readability or prefer the aesthetic of Dark mode, we've got several options to help you personalize your Discord experience. Learn how to change themes and customize your app's appearance.

How to Change your Discord Theme

Desktop

First, head into your User Settings by selecting the cogwheel [], then select Appearance.

Access Theme Settings on Desktop: Open User Settings > Appearance

Discord offers several default theme options: Light, Ash, Dark, Onyx, and Sync with computer.

• The Light theme features a white background with dark grey text and includes an optional Dark Sidebar.
• The Ash theme uses a mid-gray background with white text. 
• The Dark theme displays a dark gray background with white text.
• The Onyx theme presents a gray and black background with white text.
• Sync with computer (known as Automatic on mobile) matches your Discord theme to your device’s appearance setting.

Example of Discord Theme Selection Interface on Desktop

Mobile

Tap your avatar in the bottom-right corner of the mobile Discord app, then tap the cogwheel [] in the upper-right corner. Then, scroll down and tap on Appearance.

Access Theme Settings on Mobile: Open User Settings > Appearance

At the top, you'll find these theme options: Light, Dark, Midnight, and Automatic (which syncs with your device settings).

• The Light theme uses a white background with dark grey text. You can also enable the Dark Sidebar option.
• The Dark theme uses a dark grey/charcoal background with white text.
• The Midnight theme presents a gray and black background with white text.
• Automatic matches your Discord theme to your mobile device's appearance settings.

Example of Discord Theme Selection Interface on Mobile

How to Change the UI Density

In the Appearance menu, scroll to UI Density. Choose between Compact, Default, or Spacious to adjust the spacing around content (and navigation spacing in the desktop app). UI density doesn’t affect message density.

UI Density options on Desktop

How to Change the Message Display

In the Appearance menu, scroll to Message Spacing > Chat Message Display.  You can choose between either Default or Compact to adjust the spacing specifically between message elements.

Chat Message Display options on Desktop

Choosing Compact will remove user icons for a denser chat view.

Example of Light Theme with Compact Message Display

Fine-tune your app's appearance using the sliders to adjust the following:

• Zoom Level: Adjusting zoom changes the size of all Discord elements, including text. The Discord desktop app offers a slider control, while browsers use their built-in zoom function. Use Ctrl/Cmd + plus (+) to zoom in or minus (-) to zoom out.

Example of Decreasing Zoom Level

• Chat Font Scaling: This setting adjusts only chat text size while keeping other elements unchanged. Note that the zoom level will amplify whatever font size you choose here.

Example of Increasing Chat Font Scaling

• Message Group Spacing: Increase the space between chat messages to make conversations easier to read.

Example of Decreasing Message Group Spacing

How to Use a Color for my Theme

Nitro subscribers can access additional themes for Discord across all platforms!

Find all available themes in User Settings under the Appearance tab on both desktop and mobile.

Nitro subscribers can customize Discord's look with colorful themes

How to Customize Your Theme

Creating a Custom Theme

Make Discord match your unique vibe with custom themes! Nitro subscribers can choose custom themes with endless color combinations to customize their app’s appearance.

1. To get started, navigate to your User Settings by selecting the cogwheel icon [] located to the right of your avatar in the bottom-left corner.  

2. Press Appearance where you will find the Theme category. 

3. Under Color Themes, select the Custom Theme icon [].

Navigating to User Settings > Appearance > Theme on Desktop

4. In the Customize your theme sidebar to the right of your app, you can select the following: 

• Select between Dark or Light mode color palettes

Selecting Between Dark and Light Mode

• Select your custom colors using the color field and hue slider

Choosing Colors from the Color Field and Hue Slider

Tip: You can use either the color picker icon [] or enter a Hex code to select a color for your theme.

Choosing Colors by Entering a Hex Code or Using the Color Picker

• Add additional colors to your gradient by pressing Add Color 

Using the Add Color Option

• Use the Gradient Direction slider to control how your colors flow

Using the Gradient Direction Slider

• Use the Color Intensity slider to adjust how vibrant your colors appear

Using the Color Intensity Slider

5. When you're satisfied with your changes, select Apply in the bottom-right corner of the sidebar to save them.

Apply Button in Sidebar

Tip: Press the Surprise Me icon [] in the bottom-left corner of the sidebar to generate random color combinations for your theme! 

Using the Surprise Me Icon

Sharing Your Custom Theme

Once you've created the perfect custom theme that reflects your unique style, you can easily share it with friends on Discord! 

1. Press the Share icon [] in the bottom-left corner of the Customize your Theme sidebar. 

2. In the Share custom theme menu, select the users or channels you want to share with. You can also include a personal message using the message box. 

3. When you’re ready, press the Send button. 

Sharing a Custom Theme to a Channel