SQL Server Dark Mode: How to Turn On the SSMS Dark Theme (and Keep Your Browser Dark Too)
SQL Server Management Studio finally has an official dark theme. This guide shows where to switch it on, what to do about parts that stay bright, and how to keep the browser half of a DBA's day dark as well.
By Ivan Charad Updated First published 6 min read
Quick answer
SQL Server dark mode is built into SSMS 21 and later. Open Tools → Options, go to Environment and find the Color theme setting (under Visual Experience in SSMS 22, under General in SSMS 21), then choose Dark. A browser extension can't darken SSMS, but it can darken the docs and sites you use alongside it.
Does SQL Server Management Studio have a dark mode?
Yes, in current versions. SSMS 21 introduced an official dark theme, and SSMS 22, the latest generally available release according to Microsoft's SSMS FAQ, keeps it and adds more color themes. Microsoft describes it as "the initial phase of dark theme": it covers the windows you use most, including Object Explorer, the Query Editor, the Results pane and Template Explorer, and the SSMS 22 release notes list more dialogs being converted with each update. Some less common dialogs can still open with a light background.
One honest correction, because an earlier version of this page got it wrong: SSMS is a Windows desktop application, and no browser extension can change how it looks. SQL Server dark mode in SSMS is a setting inside SSMS itself. Where a browser extension does help is everything you open in Chrome while you work on a database: Microsoft Learn's T-SQL reference, Stack Overflow and DBA Stack Exchange, GitHub, vendor blogs and web-based query tools. We cover that after the steps.
How do I get a dark theme in SSMS 18, 19 or 20?
Those versions shipped with a hidden, unsupported dark theme. The well-known workaround is to open the ssms.pkgundef file in the SSMS installation folder as an administrator, comment out the first line of the section labeled "Remove Dark theme" with //, and restart. Dark then appears in the Color theme list. Expect white patches in Object Explorer and the results grid, and expect every SSMS update to reset the file. Since SSMS is a free download, upgrading to the current release is the cleaner way to get SSMS dark mode.
How to enable SSMS dark mode in SQL Server Management Studio
These steps use the dark theme that ships with SSMS 21 and later, so there is nothing to install.
- 1
Check your SSMS version
Open Help → About. If you are on SSMS 20 or older, install the current release from Microsoft first; it installs separately and is free.
- 2
Open Tools → Options
The Options dialog holds every appearance setting. If you can't spot the right page, type theme into the search box at the top of the dialog.
- 3
Find the Color theme setting
In SSMS 22 go to Environment → Visual Experience. In SSMS 21 go to Environment → General and look at the Visual Experience section.
- 4
Choose Dark
Select Dark in the Color theme list and confirm. Object Explorer, query tabs and the Results pane switch to a dark background with light text.
- 5
Darken the results grid if needed
If query results still look bright or low-contrast, open Tools → Options → Environment → Fonts and Colors, pick Grid Results in the Show settings for list, and adjust the background, text color and font size.
Turn on SQL Server dark mode now
Free Chrome extension · works on every website · no account needed.
What about Azure Data Studio and VS Code dark themes?
Microsoft announced the retirement of Azure Data Studio on February 6, 2025, with support ending on February 28, 2026 (see the Azure SQL blog). If you still use it, it keeps its own color themes, but no new fixes are coming. Microsoft's recommended replacement is Visual Studio Code with the MSSQL extension, and VS Code has its own color themes, so pick a dark one there. Like SSMS, both are desktop apps that a browser extension cannot recolor.
How to keep SQL Server docs and web tools dark in Chrome
A dark SSMS next to a white browser means a flash of glare every time you look up a function. The Dark Mode extension adds a matching night mode to the browser side of the day:
- Microsoft Learn: T-SQL reference, error message lists and SQL Server docs.
- Stack Overflow, DBA Stack Exchange, GitHub issues and SQL blogs, including the ones you only visit once.
- Web-based query tools and online SQL playgrounds without a theme switch.
- The Azure portal has its own Light, Dark and Auto theme in its Appearance settings (Microsoft Learn). Use that, and add portal.azure.com to the extension's site list in "Not invert listed" mode so the two don't fight.
Install it from the Chrome Web Store and press Alt+Shift+D to toggle it. Other options have limits. Chrome's own dark theme only darkens the browser frame, tabs and menus. Windows or macOS dark mode only affects sites that already ship dark styles. The experimental chrome://flags option Auto Dark Mode for Web Contents forces every site dark, all-or-nothing, with no per-site exceptions or sliders. Writing application code next to your queries? Our Eclipse dark mode guide covers the same desktop-plus-browser setup for an IDE.
SSMS dark mode not working? Quick fixes
- Some dialogs are still white. That is expected: Microsoft is rolling the dark theme out dialog by dialog. Keep SSMS updated, since release notes regularly add dark theme support to more windows.
- The theme goes back to Cool Breeze after a restart. SSMS 22 release notes list a fix for exactly this bug, so install the latest update.
- Editor tooltips are unreadable. SSMS 22 release notes list a fix for tooltips in a dark theme with a light editor appearance; update, or reset Fonts and Colors with Use Defaults.
- A documentation page looks inverted in Chrome. Switch the extension's theme generation mode to Dynamic or Filter+, or exclude that site with Alt+Shift+A.
How to turn off dark mode in SSMS
Go back to Tools → Options → Environment (Visual Experience in SSMS 22, General in SSMS 21) and pick a light theme such as Light. If you changed Grid Results colors, use Use Defaults on the Fonts and Colors page. In the browser, flip the extension's switch or press Alt+Shift+D.
Why use SQL Server dark mode?
Long query sessions
A dark background with light text cuts overall glare when you spend hours writing and tuning T-SQL.
Night-time incidents
During an evening incident or a maintenance window, a white SSMS is the brightest thing in the room. A dark theme keeps execution plans readable without it.
Docs between queries
With the browser dark too, jumping from SSMS to the T-SQL reference or a Stack Exchange answer no longer means a white flash.
One look across tools
Dark SSMS, dark terminal, dark browser: a consistent setup across the tools you use every day.
Best settings for a dark SQL Server workflow
SSMS Color theme: Dark
Use the built-in Dark theme in SSMS 21 or 22 rather than the old config file hack.
Grid Results colors
Give Grid Results a near-black background, light text and a larger font so long result sets stay easy to scan.
Browser follows the system
In the Dark Mode extension, turn on "Use system color scheme" so docs go dark together with Windows.
Exclude the Azure portal
The portal has its own Dark theme. Add it to the site list in "Not invert listed" mode so it isn't darkened twice.
Contrast for reference pages
Raise Contrast slightly in the extension so syntax tables and code samples on docs sites stay crisp.
Hotkeys
Alt+Shift+D toggles the extension and Alt+Shift+A adds the current site to the list; change them at chrome://extensions/shortcuts.
Frequently asked questions
How do I enable dark mode in SSMS?
In SSMS 21 or later, open Tools → Options → Environment, find Color theme (under Visual Experience in SSMS 22, under General in SSMS 21) and choose Dark. No add-on is needed.
Can the Dark Mode extension make SQL Server Management Studio dark?
No. SSMS is a Windows desktop application, and browser extensions only change web pages. Use SSMS's own Dark theme for the IDE and the Dark Mode extension for Microsoft Learn, Stack Overflow, GitHub and other sites you read in Chrome.
Why are some SSMS windows still white in the dark theme?
Microsoft is adding dark theme support in phases. It started with Object Explorer, the Query Editor, the Results pane and Template Explorer, and updates keep converting more dialogs. Install the latest SSMS release to get the most coverage.
Is Azure Data Studio still supported?
No. Microsoft announced its retirement in February 2025 and support ended on February 28, 2026. Microsoft recommends VS Code with the MSSQL extension, which you can switch to a dark color theme.
Does the SSMS dark theme work on a Mac?
SSMS runs only on Windows, according to Microsoft's FAQ. On a Mac, use VS Code with the MSSQL extension and a dark color theme, and the extension in Chrome for the docs you read.
Is the Dark Mode extension free?
Yes, the core features are free. An optional Pro upgrade costs $3 per month or $20 lifetime; see pricing. Teachers and students can read our Google Classroom dark mode guide.
The bottom line
SQL Server dark mode is a built-in setting in current SSMS: Tools → Options → Environment → Color theme: Dark. Tune Grid Results if the results look bright, keep SSMS updated as more dialogs get the dark theme, and add the Dark Mode extension in Chrome so the docs and Q&A sites you use next to it stay dark too. More guides are on the blog.