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Can I change the section background opacity in Webflow without affecting the opacity of other elements within the section?

TL;DR
  • Use an RGBA background color on the section to control transparency without affecting inner content.
  • Alternatively, add an absolutely positioned div as an overlay with a semi-transparent RGBA background and set the section to relative positioning.

You can change the background opacity of a section in Webflow without affecting the opacity of text, images, or other elements inside it by using an appropriate background color setup, rather than adjusting the section’s overall opacity.

1. Avoid Changing Section Opacity Directly

  • Never use the Opacity setting on the section element itself (from the Style panel), because it changes the opacity of all child elements, including text and images.
  • Instead, control opacity through background color transparency.

2. Use a Transparent RGBA Background

  • Select the Section element in Webflow Designer.
  • In the Backgrounds area of the Style panel, choose a color and set it in RGBA format.
  • Adjust the Alpha (A) value to create transparency, e.g., rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5) for 50% transparent black.

3. Optional: Add a Semi-Transparent Overlay

If you're using a background image or want more flexibility:

  • Add a div block inside the section and set its position to absolute full (top: 0, bottom: 0, left: 0, right: 0).
  • Give it a semi-transparent background color using RGBA.
  • Set the parent section to position: relative so the overlay stays contained.
  • Ensure the overlay has a lower z-index than your content to allow text/images to remain visible on top.

Summary

To make a Webflow section background semi-transparent without affecting inner elements, use an RGBA background color or a separate overlay element. Do not change the section’s overall opacity setting.

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