diff --git a/pyirf/io/gadf.py b/pyirf/io/gadf.py
index 963b6de7..335d5146 100644
--- a/pyirf/io/gadf.py
+++ b/pyirf/io/gadf.py
@@ -318,6 +318,57 @@ def create_background_3d_hdu(
     return BinTableHDU(bkg, header=header, name=extname)
 
 
+@u.quantity_input(
+    background=GADF_BACKGROUND_UNIT, reco_energy_bins=u.TeV, fov_offset_bins=u.deg,
+)
+def create_background_3d_hdu(
+    background_3d,
+    reco_energy_bins,
+    fov_offset_bins,
+    extname="BACKGROUND",
+    **header_cards,
+):
+    """
+    Create a fits binary table HDU in GADF format for the background 3d table. Assumes ALTAZ coordinates.
+    See the specification at
+    https://gamma-astro-data-formats.readthedocs.io/en/latest/irfs/full_enclosure/bkg/index.html#bkg-2d
+
+    Parameters
+    ----------
+    background_3d: astropy.units.Quantity[(MeV s sr)^-1]
+        Background rate, must have shape
+        (n_energy_bins, n_fov_offset_bins, n_fov_offset_bins)
+    reco_energy_bins: astropy.units.Quantity[energy]
+        Bin edges in reconstructed energy
+    fov_offset_bins: astropy.units.Quantity[angle]
+        Bin edges in the field of view offset.
+    extname: str
+        Name for BinTableHDU
+    **header_cards
+        Additional metadata to add to the header, use this to set e.g. TELESCOP or
+        INSTRUME.
+    """
+
+    bkg = QTable()
+    bkg["ENERG_LO"], bkg["ENERG_HI"] = binning.split_bin_lo_hi(reco_energy_bins[np.newaxis, :].to(u.TeV))
+    bkg["DETX_LO"], bkg["DETX_HI"] = binning.split_bin_lo_hi(fov_offset_bins[np.newaxis, :].to(u.deg))
+    bkg["DETY_LO"], bkg["DETY_HI"] = binning.split_bin_lo_hi(fov_offset_bins[np.newaxis, :].to(u.deg))
+    # transpose as FITS uses opposite dimension order
+    bkg["BKG"] = background_3d.T[np.newaxis, ...].to(GADF_BACKGROUND_UNIT)
+
+    # required header keywords
+    header = DEFAULT_HEADER.copy()
+    header["HDUCLAS1"] = "RESPONSE"
+    header["HDUCLAS2"] = "BKG"
+    header["HDUCLAS3"] = "FULL-ENCLOSURE"
+    header["HDUCLAS4"] = "BKG_2D"
+    header["FOVALIGN"] = "ALTAZ"
+    header["DATE"] = Time.now().utc.iso
+    _add_header_cards(header, **header_cards)
+
+    return BinTableHDU(bkg, header=header, name=extname)
+
+
 @u.quantity_input(
     rad_max=u.deg,
     reco_energy_bins=u.TeV,