diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index a102c144..9a431af3 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -7,6 +7,8 @@ and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](http://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0.
 
 ## [Unreleased]
 
+- Added background under onSurface ([#146](https://github.com/Shopify/polaris-tokens/pull/146))
+
 ## [2.12.5] - 2020-09-08
 
 - Updated borderSubdued and added borderShadow, borderShadowSubdued, and divider colors ([#145](https://github.com/Shopify/polaris-tokens/pull/145))
diff --git a/src/configs/base.ts b/src/configs/base.ts
index 367e4c00..b0af0f0b 100644
--- a/src/configs/base.ts
+++ b/src/configs/base.ts
@@ -208,6 +208,16 @@ export const config: Config = {
     },
   ],
   onSurface: [
+    {
+      name: 'background',
+      description:
+        'For use as a background color, in components on surface elements such as SearchField',
+      light: {lightness: 95.5},
+      dark: {lightness: 20},
+      meta: {
+        figmaName: 'Background/Default',
+      },
+    },
     {
       name: 'border',
       description: 'For use as the default border on elements.',