Taustakuva

Taustakuva is the Finnish term for a background image or wallpaper, used as the visual backdrop on screens, applications, or webpages. It is the image behind other content such as icons, text, and widgets. The word combines tausta (background) and kuva (image).

In everyday Finnish usage, taustakuva most often refers to digital backgrounds, for example the image shown on a computer desktop or a smartphone home screen. The term is generally not used for interior wall coverings, which in Finnish are called tapetti.

Common contexts and types include static wallpapers that do not change, and dynamic or live wallpapers that may rotate images, respond to time of day, or interact with user activity. Wallpapers can also function as large hero or background images on websites to set tone or branding.

Formats and technical considerations vary. Typical image formats include JPEG, PNG, GIF, and WebP; vector backgrounds are less common for screens but can appear as SVG in some contexts. Many displays use widescreen aspect ratios such as 16:9 or 16:10, with common resolutions including 1920x1080, 2560x1440, and 3840x2160 (4K). Dynamic wallpapers are supported by modern operating systems such as Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, enabling slideshows or time-based changes.

Licensing and copyright are relevant when selecting taustakuva from stock libraries or artists. Bundled or system-provided wallpapers are typically licensed for personal use. When sharing or redistributing wallpapers, permissions and attribution may apply.

Accessibility and design considerations include choosing images that do not obscure foreground elements, ensuring sufficient contrast for icons and text, and avoiding overly busy patterns that can distract or hinder readability.