Figma Fonts: How To Change & Customize Text

Nov 8, 2025 by Admin 44 views

Hey guys! Ever wondered how to change fonts in Figma? You're in the right place! Figma is a super powerful design tool, and getting your text looking just right is key to creating awesome designs. In this guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to know about changing and customizing fonts in Figma, from the basics to some cool tricks.

Understanding Text Layers in Figma

Before diving into changing fonts, let's quickly cover text layers in Figma. Understanding how text layers work is fundamental to effectively manipulating text and applying different fonts. When you add text to your Figma design, it resides within a text layer, which you can select, move, resize, and, of course, edit. To create a text layer, you simply select the text tool (usually represented by a "T" icon) from the toolbar and click anywhere on your canvas. This creates a new text layer where you can start typing. Text layers behave similarly to other layers in Figma; they can be stacked, grouped, and have various effects applied to them. Knowing this allows you to manage your text elements more efficiently and ensure they fit perfectly within your overall design.

Selecting Text Layers

To modify the font of any text, the first step is always selecting the right text layer. There are a couple of ways to do this. You can directly click on the text element on your canvas, which will select the layer automatically. Alternatively, you can find the text layer in the Layers panel on the left side of your screen. The Layers panel organizes all the elements in your design, making it easy to locate and select specific text layers, especially in complex designs with numerous elements. Once you've selected the text layer, you're ready to start making changes to the font.

Importance of Organized Layers

Keeping your layers organized is super important, especially when you're working on bigger projects. Naming your layers descriptively (like "Headline Text" or "Body Copy") helps you quickly find and select the right text layers without any confusion. Figma also allows you to group layers, which can be particularly useful for managing text elements that are related to each other. For example, you might group the headline, subheadline, and body text of a section together. This makes it easier to move, duplicate, and modify these elements as a unit. Properly organized layers not only speed up your workflow but also make your designs easier to understand and maintain, especially when collaborating with other designers.

How to Change the Font in Figma: The Basics

Okay, let's get to the main event: changing the font! It's actually really simple.

Select Your Text Layer: Click on the text you want to change. Make sure the entire text box is selected, or only the selected portion will change.
Open the Text Panel: Look over to the right side of your screen. You should see a panel labeled "Text." If you don't see it, make sure you have a text layer selected.
Find the Font Dropdown: In the Text panel, you'll see a dropdown menu that displays the current font of your selected text. It probably says something like "Roboto" or "Open Sans."
Choose Your New Font: Click on the dropdown menu, and a list of available fonts will appear. You can scroll through the list or use the search bar to find a specific font. Once you find the font you want, just click on it to apply it to your text. Voila! You've changed the font.

Using the Font Search Bar

The font search bar is your best friend when you know exactly what font you're looking for. Instead of scrolling through a potentially long list of fonts, simply type the name of the font into the search bar, and Figma will filter the list to show you the matching fonts. This is especially useful if you have a large library of fonts or if you frequently use specific fonts in your designs. The search bar also supports partial matches, so you can type just a few letters of the font name and Figma will still show you relevant results. This can save you a ton of time and make the font selection process much more efficient.

Previewing Fonts

One of the cool features of Figma is that it allows you to preview fonts directly in your design before you apply them. As you hover over different fonts in the dropdown menu, the selected text on your canvas will update to show you what the text looks like with that font. This makes it super easy to experiment with different fonts and see how they look in the context of your design. Take advantage of this feature to quickly try out different fonts and find the one that best fits your overall aesthetic. It's a great way to ensure that your font choice enhances the visual appeal of your design.

Advanced Font Customization

Changing the font is just the beginning! Figma offers a bunch of other ways to customize your text and make it look exactly how you want.

Font Weight

Font weight refers to the thickness of the characters in a font. Common font weights include light, regular, medium, bold, and black. Adjusting the font weight can significantly impact the readability and visual impact of your text. To change the font weight in Figma, look for the weight dropdown menu in the Text panel. This menu is usually located next to the font selection dropdown. Click on the menu, and you'll see a list of available weights for the selected font. Choose the weight that best suits your design needs. For example, you might use a bold weight for headings to make them stand out or a light weight for body text to improve readability.

Font size is another critical aspect of text customization. It determines how large or small the text appears on your canvas. Figma allows you to adjust the font size by entering a specific value in the font size field in the Text panel. You can also use the up and down arrows next to the field to incrementally increase or decrease the font size. The appropriate font size depends on the context of your design and the type of text you're working with. Headings typically require larger font sizes than body text. Experiment with different font sizes to find the right balance between readability and visual impact.

Line Height

Line height, also known as leading, is the vertical space between lines of text. Adjusting the line height can greatly improve the readability of your text, especially for longer paragraphs. Figma allows you to control the line height using the line height field in the Text panel. You can enter a specific value or use the dropdown menu to choose from preset values. A general rule of thumb is to set the line height to be slightly larger than the font size. This provides adequate spacing between the lines and makes the text easier to read. Experiment with different line heights to find the optimal setting for your text.

Letter Spacing

Letter spacing, also known as tracking, is the horizontal space between characters in a text. Adjusting the letter spacing can affect the overall appearance and readability of your text. Figma allows you to control the letter spacing using the letter spacing field in the Text panel. You can enter a specific value or use the dropdown menu to choose from preset values. Increasing the letter spacing can make the text look more open and airy, while decreasing it can make the text look more compact. Be careful not to adjust the letter spacing too much, as it can negatively impact readability. Subtle adjustments are usually the most effective.

Text Alignment

Text alignment determines how the text is aligned within its container. Figma offers several alignment options, including left, center, right, and justified. To change the text alignment, look for the alignment buttons in the Text panel. Click on the button that corresponds to the alignment you want to apply. Left alignment is typically used for body text, as it is the most readable. Center alignment is often used for headings and short blocks of text. Right alignment is less common but can be useful in certain situations. Justified alignment evenly distributes the text between the left and right margins, creating a clean and uniform look. However, it can sometimes result in awkward spacing between words, so use it with caution.

Text Decoration

Text decoration adds visual effects to your text, such as underlines and strikethroughs. Figma allows you to apply these decorations using the text decoration buttons in the Text panel. Underlines are often used to indicate hyperlinks or to emphasize specific words or phrases. Strikethroughs are used to indicate deleted or outdated text. Use these decorations sparingly and only when they serve a clear purpose.

Adding Custom Fonts to Figma

Want to use a font that's not already in Figma's library? No problem! You can add custom fonts, but there are a couple of things to keep in mind.

Figma Desktop App

The easiest way to use custom fonts is by using the Figma desktop app. When you have the desktop app installed, Figma automatically detects and uses any fonts that are installed on your computer. This means that if you want to use a custom font, all you have to do is install it on your system, and it will automatically appear in Figma's font list. This is the recommended approach for most users, as it's the simplest and most seamless way to use custom fonts.

Web Browser Limitations

If you're using Figma in a web browser, things are a bit more limited. Web browsers have security restrictions that prevent websites from accessing fonts installed on your computer. This means that Figma in the browser can only use fonts that are available through Google Fonts or fonts that have been explicitly uploaded to your Figma project. If you need to use a custom font in the browser, you'll need to either find it on Google Fonts or upload it to your Figma team's library. Keep in mind that uploading fonts requires a paid Figma plan.

Google Fonts

Google Fonts is a library of hundreds of free, open-source fonts that you can use in your Figma designs. These fonts are readily available in Figma's font list, regardless of whether you're using the desktop app or the web browser. If you're looking for a wide variety of fonts to choose from, Google Fonts is a great place to start. You can browse the Google Fonts website to find fonts that match your design aesthetic, and then simply select them from Figma's font list. Using Google Fonts ensures that your designs will look consistent across different devices and platforms.

Tips for Choosing the Right Font

Choosing the right font can make or break your design. Here are a few tips to help you pick the perfect font:

Consider Your Brand: Your font should align with your brand's personality and values. A playful brand might use a fun, quirky font, while a serious brand might opt for a more classic, professional font.
Readability is Key: Make sure your font is easy to read, especially for body text. Avoid overly decorative or stylized fonts that can strain the eyes.
Limit Your Font Choices: Don't use too many different fonts in a single design. Stick to two or three fonts at most to maintain a cohesive look.
Test Your Font: Try out your font in different sizes and weights to see how it looks. Make sure it works well in both headlines and body text.

Conclusion

So there you have it! Changing fonts in Figma is a breeze once you know where to look. Experiment with different fonts and customization options to create designs that truly stand out. Happy designing, and feel free to reach out if you have any questions!