Figma Fonts: How To Change & Customize Text

Hey guys! Ever wondered how to change fonts in Figma? You've come to the right place! Figma is a powerhouse for designers, and knowing how to tweak your text is super important. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about fonts in Figma, from the basics of changing them to more advanced customization options. Let's dive in and make your designs look awesome!

Understanding Fonts in Figma

Before we jump into the how-to, let's quickly cover the basics. Fonts play a crucial role in your designs. They set the tone, convey personality, and ensure readability. In Figma, fonts are handled with a lot of flexibility, allowing you to choose from a vast library and even upload your own. When working with text in Figma, it's essential to understand the different types of fonts available and how they can impact your overall design. Figma supports various font formats, including TrueType (TTF), OpenType (OTF), and Variable Fonts. Each format has its own advantages, with OpenType being the most versatile due to its advanced typographic features. Variable Fonts are a newer addition, offering incredible flexibility by allowing you to adjust font properties like weight, width, and slant along a continuous scale, providing a wide range of stylistic options within a single font file. Understanding these distinctions helps you make informed decisions about which fonts to use for different projects and how to optimize them for the best visual impact. Also, keep in mind that using a consistent font throughout your project can help create a cohesive look and feel, enhancing the overall user experience. So, spend some time exploring different font options and experimenting with various combinations to find the perfect match for your design vision. The right font can elevate your design from good to great, so it's worth investing the effort to get it right.

Step-by-Step Guide to Changing Fonts

Okay, let's get to the good stuff! Here’s a simple, step-by-step guide on how to change fonts in Figma:

Step 1: Select Your Text Layer

First things first, you need to select the text layer you want to modify. Just click on the text box or the specific text element you're aiming to change. Make sure the layer is active; you'll see a bounding box around it, indicating that it's selected and ready for edits. Selecting the correct text layer is crucial because any changes you make will only apply to the selected element. If you're working with multiple text layers, take a moment to ensure you've chosen the right one to avoid accidentally modifying the wrong text. You can also select multiple text layers at once by holding down the Shift key while clicking on each layer. This is particularly useful when you want to apply the same font changes to several text elements simultaneously. Once you've selected your text layer, you're ready to move on to the next step and start exploring different font options. Remember, a little attention to detail in this initial step can save you time and frustration later on in the design process.

Step 2: Access the Text Panel

Next up, head over to the right-hand sidebar. This is where all the magic happens! Look for the “Text” panel. You'll find a bunch of options here, including font selection, size, weight, and more. The Text panel is your control center for all things typography in Figma. It's organized intuitively, making it easy to find and adjust the various text properties. In addition to font selection, you can also modify the text's alignment, letter spacing, line height, and paragraph spacing. These settings allow you to fine-tune the appearance of your text and ensure it fits perfectly within your design. The Text panel also provides options for applying different typographic styles, such as bold, italic, and underline. You can even create and save custom text styles to maintain consistency across your projects. Familiarizing yourself with the Text panel is essential for mastering typography in Figma and creating visually appealing and readable designs. So, take some time to explore the different options and experiment with various settings to see how they affect your text. The more comfortable you are with the Text panel, the more efficiently you'll be able to work and the better your designs will look.

Step 3: Choose Your Font

Now, the fun part! In the Text panel, you’ll see a dropdown menu displaying the current font. Click on it, and a list of available fonts will appear. You can scroll through the list or use the search bar to find a specific font. Figma offers a wide variety of fonts, including both system fonts and fonts from Google Fonts. System fonts are those that are already installed on your computer, while Google Fonts are a vast library of free, open-source fonts that you can use in your designs. When choosing a font, consider the overall style and tone of your project. Some fonts are more formal and professional, while others are more casual and playful. Experiment with different fonts to see which ones best convey the message you're trying to communicate. You can also use font pairing to create visual interest and hierarchy in your designs. Font pairing involves combining two or more different fonts that complement each other. For example, you might pair a serif font for headings with a sans-serif font for body text. Once you've found the perfect font, simply select it from the list, and Figma will instantly apply it to your selected text layer. This allows you to quickly and easily experiment with different font options and see how they look in your design.

Step 4: Adjust Font Properties

Once you've selected your font, you can further customize its appearance by adjusting various properties in the Text panel. You can change the font size to make your text larger or smaller, adjust the font weight to make it bolder or lighter, and modify the letter spacing and line height to improve readability. Font size is a crucial factor in determining how prominent your text is in the design. Larger font sizes are typically used for headings and titles, while smaller font sizes are used for body text and captions. Font weight refers to the thickness of the font. Bolder fonts are often used to emphasize important information, while lighter fonts are used for a more subtle look. Letter spacing, also known as tracking, is the amount of space between individual letters. Adjusting the letter spacing can improve the readability of your text, especially at smaller font sizes. Line height, also known as leading, is the amount of space between lines of text. Increasing the line height can make your text easier to read, especially for longer paragraphs. By fine-tuning these font properties, you can create text that is both visually appealing and easy to read. Experiment with different settings to see what works best for your design and remember to maintain consistency in your font choices throughout your project.

Uploading Custom Fonts

Want to use a font that's not in Figma's library? No problem! Here’s how to upload your own fonts:

Step 1: Open Figma Settings

First, you need to access your Figma settings. Click on the menu icon in the top left corner of the Figma window (it looks like three horizontal lines). From the dropdown menu, select “Settings.” This will open a new window or tab with your Figma account settings. Your Figma settings are where you can manage various aspects of your account, including your profile information, notification preferences, and billing details. It's also where you can upload custom fonts to use in your designs. Navigating to the settings menu is a straightforward process, but it's essential to know where to find it so you can easily access these important configuration options. Once you're in the settings menu, you'll see a variety of different sections. Look for the section related to fonts or typography. This is where you'll find the option to upload your own custom fonts. The specific wording may vary depending on the version of Figma you're using, but it should be relatively easy to identify. If you're having trouble finding the font upload option, you can try using the search bar within the settings menu to quickly locate it. Just type in keywords like