20 Best Free Zoom Background Images to Brighten up your Virtual Meetings (2023)

If your office has moved to remote work in an effort to flatten the curve, you’ve likely found yourself in Zoom meeting after Zoom meeting. Maybe your messy kitchen isn’t the impression you wish to put forward to your colleagues and supervisors. Or perhaps you want to brighten the mood by placing a wall of marshmallows behind you. With everything going on in the world right now, your colleagues are sure to appreciate the chuckle!

Below you’ll find our 20 best Zoom background images—everything from nature & landscapes, to gorgeous home offices, and much more. Our images are high-resolution, royalty-free, and 100% free to use, even for commercial projects.

What is a Zoom Background?

The virtual background feature is what really sets Zoom apart from other video conferencing tools. It allows you to upload an image that will display behind you while you’re in a Zoom meeting. Since you can upload your own images, you have endless possibilities of how you wish to change the look of your workspace.

How Zoom Background Works

Zoom Virtual Background is a free feature included on all Zoom Plans. It's designed to automatically differentiate between you (the subject) and your background (anything that’s behind you).

It then uses green screen technology to replace your background with a different image or video. This can make it look like you’re in an entirely different location!

The algorithm isn’t perfect, however. You may see interruptions in your background, or parts of your face disappearing on occasion. Zoom recommends that you use bright, even lighting and avoid wearing clothes that are the same colour as the walls behind you. This will give your Zoom Virtual Background the best chance of knocking your coworkers' collective socks off.

If you really want to level up your Zoom Background game, you can purchase a green screen and use a higher quality webcam. Don’t worry though, this isn’t necessary for your every day conference call.

Zoom Background Requirements

Zoom background is available on Windows, Mac, and iOS devices. You will need to download the Zoom desktop client or the Zoom mobile app. Once you've installed the correct client for your device, be sure to check Zoom’s virtual background requirements. There you will see more details regarding what operating system and processor you will need.

How to Change your Zoom Background

First, we need to make sure you have Virtual Background enabled on your account:

1. Log in to your account at Zoom.us

2. Navigate to Settings > In Meeting (Advanced)

3. Scroll down to Virtual background and enable it by clicking on the slider

How to Change your Zoom Background on Desktop

1. Open your Desktop application
2. Navigate to Settings > Virtual Background
3. Ensure that “I have a green screen” is unchecked if you’re not using one

4. On this page you will see Zoom Background options to choose from, or you can upload your own image by clicking on the Plus symbol (+) > Add image

5. Select the Zoom Background Image you would like to upload from your files

6. At this point you may be prompted to download the smart virtual background package. Click download to do so.

How to Change your Zoom Background During a Meeting

1. Click on the arrow to the right of your video icon at the bottom of your screen
2. Select Video settings > Virtual background
3. Select or upload the new background you would like to use
4. To upload your own image, click on the Plus symbol (+) > Add image
5. Select your new Zoom Background Image from your files

How to Change your Zoom Background on iPhone or iPad

1. Sign in to the Zoom Mobile app for iOS
2. While in a meeting, tap More > Virtual background
3. Select the Zoom Background image you would like to use, or upload your own image by tapping on the Plus symbol (+)
4. Tap Close to return to your meeting

Download your Free Zoom Background

We’ve split these 20 Zoom backgrounds into the following five categories:

• Nature & Landscape Zoom Background Images - for those days you just wish you could be sipping coconut juice on the beach, or hiking on a scenic trail.
• Urban Zoom Background Images - show your adventurous side by having your conference call from iconic cities around the world.
• Indoor Zoom Background Images - a more subtle approach to spiffing up your workstation without actually needing to tidy anything up.
• Fun Zoom Background Images - these abstract backgrounds are sure to start conversations at your next meeting.
• Funny Zoom Background Images - if your workspace has room for jokes, why not show up amidst a pineapple party?

Nature & Landscape Zoom Background Images

1. View of boats on the ocean at sunset in Thailand

2. Looking straight down a pathway in a forest in autumn

3. Beautiful view through flowers of a lake and mountains

4. Sun shining over gentle waves that are breaking on a sandy beach

Urban Zoom Background Images

1. Large suspension bridge seen from the city streets below

2. Looking up at the Sky Reflector-Net in New York City's Fulton Center

3. British phone booth outside on street

4. San Francisco's famous "Painted Ladies" Houses

Indoor Zoom Background Images

1. Yellow Couch By Black And White Mural

2. Sunlight creeps through a window in a bright and minimalist living room

3. Long haired cat sitting on couch in front of brick wall

4. An assortment of vintage posters inside a home

Fun Zoom Background Images

1. Pink jellyfish swim against a bright blue background in a mirrored tank

2. Yellow background with black filigree pattern

3. A geometric painting in various shades of purple on a brick wall

4. A jet of black ink mixes together with thin wisps of pink ink

Funny Zoom Background Images

1. Modern red sports car on a harbor, overlooking the city buildings

2. Four pineapples hang out at a pineapple party

3. A white dog looks emotional in a wizard hat and princess dress

4. A closeup of a pile of spiraled, colorful marshmallows

Can’t get enough of our free Zoom Background Images? There are tons more on our Video Call Backgrounds collection.