Creating a grid in Figma can transform your design workflow and improve the layout consistency of your projects.
Grids are essential for ensuring precision and alignment in your user interface designs.
Whether you are setting up Figma for web design, app design, or creating a complex grid system, understanding how to use Figma’s grid layout tools is crucial.
In this article, you will learn how to make a grid in Figma, focusing on the practical steps and best practices.
By the end, you’ll be able to create custom grids, adjust grid settings, and utilize Figma’s alignment tools to enhance your design projects. We’ll also discuss responsive grids and how they can be optimized for different screen sizes.
You’ll master setting up custom grids, configuring column and row settings, and ensuring your elements snap into place perfectly.
Get ready to elevate your design game with comprehensive insights and actionable tips on using Figma’s powerful grid features.
How to Make a Grid in Figma: Quick Workflow
1. Create a Frame
- Select the Frame Tool from the toolbar or press F on your keyboard.
- Click on the canvas to create a frame, choosing from preset sizes (like desktop, tablet, or mobile) or defining custom dimensions.
2. Add a Layout Grid
- With your frame selected, navigate to the right-hand panel under the Design tab.
- Click the “+” icon next to Layout grid to add a new grid.
3. Choose Grid Type
- Figma offers three types of grids: Grid (default), Columns, and Rows.
- For a responsive design, start by selecting Columns:
- Click on the layout grid settings and choose Columns from the dropdown menu. This aligns UI elements horizontally.
4. Configure Columns
- Set the number of columns (e.g., 12 for a standard layout).
- Adjust the gutter (space between columns) and margins (space around the grid). A common gutter size is 24 pixels for an 8-point grid system.
5. Add Rows
- To create vertical alignment, add a Rows grid:
- Select the frame again, click the plus button in the layout section, and change the setting to Rows.
- Set the row count (e.g., 1000) to ensure it fills your frames adequately. The offset should be set to 0, with height and gutter typically set to 8 pixels each.
6. Adjusting Grid Settings
- You can toggle between different types of grids (Center vs. Stretch) depending on your design needs.
- Change colors or opacity of grid lines for better visibility if necessary.
7. Snapping Elements to Grid
- Once your grid is set up, any shapes or elements you create will snap to the nearest grid line, helping maintain alignment throughout your design.
Types of Layout Grids
Uniform Grids
Uniform grids are the backbone for many design layouts. They’re characterized by evenly spaced cells that provide a clear structure for placing elements. Ideal for projects requiring a consistent, repetitive pattern, uniform grids shine in aligning content uniformly across the canvas.
For precise adjustments, the pixel-based spacing in uniform grids can be meticulously tweaked. This approach allows for a high degree of accuracy, ensuring that every component fits perfectly into place.
Column Grids
Column grids serve a vital role in web designs. These vertically aligned grids help create a sense of hierarchy and structure. Ideal for responsive design, column grids allow you to adjust the column count, width, and scaling behavior to suit different screen sizes.
When setting up a column grid in Figma:
- Adjust the column count according to the design needs.
- Tweak the column width for flexibility.
- Manage scaling behavior to ensure the design adapts responsively across various devices.
Row Grids
Row grids are excellent for typography alignment and organizing textual information. These horizontally aligned grids help set a baseline for text to align to, offering a cleaner, more readable layout.
To define row grids:
- Set row height to match the typographic scale.
- Adjust gutter spacing to maintain a balanced look between elements.
This alignment is crucial for maintaining visual consistency in complex layouts.
Nested Grids
Nested grids enable you to create complex layouts within the broader structure. They are not just an extension but a layered approach to design. By differentiating these grids with unique visual appearances, nested grids allow segregation of content for better readability and design consistency.
Layout Grid Properties
Key Elements of Grids
Columns: Crucial for aligning content, columns create the main vertical divisions within your design. They provide a structured way to position text, images, and other elements.
Gutters: These are the spaces between columns or rows. Gutters prevent elements from being too close and ensure clean, readable designs. Adjusting gutter size can significantly affect the layout’s overall balance.
Margins: Margins provide breathing room around the edges of your design. They’re essential for preventing content from appearing cramped and help define the boundaries of your layout.
Types of Layout Grid Systems
Fixed Grids: These grids have static widths, maintaining consistent layout regardless of changes in viewport size. They work well for designs that need to stay uniform across different devices.
Fluid Grids: Fluid grids are responsive, adjusting to the resizing of frames. They offer flexibility, allowing your design to adapt seamlessly across varying screen sizes. Incorporating fluid grids can make your layout more versatile and dynamic.
Baseline Grids
Definition and Role: Baseline grids are horizontal guides that help in aligning text and balancing typography. They ensure consistent line spacing throughout the design, making it easy to read and visually appealing.
Techniques for Building Baseline Grids in Figma:
- Enable “Layout Grids” and select “Baseline Grid.”
- Customize the grid settings to match your typographic scale.
- Align text elements to the grid for consistent spacing.
Applying Layout Grids in Figma
Basics of Application
Start with the essentials. Adding grids to frames and components is straightforward in Figma. Select your frame and navigate to the right-side panel. Here, find the Layout Grid section.
Hit the “+” button. That’s it, you’ve added a grid.
Customizing is where the fun begins. Adjust grid appearance—color, opacity, and even line style—to suit your design needs. It’s all about making the grid work for you, not the other way around.
- Color: Change from the default red to something less eye-straining.
- Opacity: Lower it. High opacity can overpower your design.
- Line Style: Dotted, dashed, you name it.
Using Multiple Grids
Don’t limit yourself to just one grid type. Combine different grid types in a single frame. Overlay a uniform grid with a column grid for fine-tuned control.
What’s the upside?
Stacking grids can simplify complex designs. One grid handles alignment while the other manages spacing. It’s like having multiple layers of clarity in your layout.
Toggling Grid Visibility
Design clarity is everything. Sometimes, grids can clutter your workspace. That’s where toggling grid visibility becomes crucial.
- Global Toggling: Use the eye icon in the Layout Grid panel for a clean slate.
Individual Grid Adjustments: Right-click on the frame, go to the Layout Grid options, and adjust visibility settings.
Designing Responsive Layouts
Introduction to Responsive Grids
Adaptability is the name of the game in modern design. Your layout needs to morph, adapt, and resize to fit various devices seamlessly. This is where responsive grids come into play. They ensure your interface remains consistent and functional, irrespective of screen size.
The layout grid isn’t just a design tool; it’s a blueprint. A guide that helps in creating responsive interfaces that work on devices from mobiles to desktops. Each grid setting you tweak brings you closer to a fluid, adaptable design.
Understanding Breakpoints
Breakpoints serve as the bridge between devices. They are the predefined points where your design changes to offer the best user experience. Common dimensions? Think 320px for mobiles, 768px for tablets, and 1024px and above for desktops.
In Figma, applying breakpoints is straightforward. Identify the key dimensions your design needs. Set these breakpoints within your layout grids. This allows elements to rearrange and resize fluidly, ensuring a seamless user experience across different devices.
Creating Viewport Sizes
Viewport sizes are the foundation stones of responsive design. You need frames set up for each device you’re designing for. In Figma, this means creating separate frames for mobile, tablet, and desktop views.
Start with a base frame for mobile. Copy that frame and adjust dimensions for tablet. Repeat for desktop.
Designing grids for each screen resolution? Customize the layout grids within these frames. Ensure each grid follows the principles that suit its respective device size, be it tighter columns for mobile or broader columns for desktop.
Strategies for Effective Grid Design
Visualizing Padding and Spacing
Padding and spacing, the unsung heroes of layout design. They give your content room to breathe. To set up padding grids for content alignment, dive into Figma’s layout grid settings.
Interop your grid to define padding values. Note how elements snugly fit within these bounds, aligning intuitively. Consistent spacing? Absolutely essential. Leverage guides to keep uniform spacing across all components; this elevates the overall cohesion of your design.
Constraints with Layout Grids
Constraints can feel like shackles until you realize their power. With layout grids, constraints maintain element positioning. Even as window sizes change, your design holds its ground.
Realistic scaling behavior? Think fluidity. Your elements scale proportionally. This is critical when working across multiple devices. Set constraints in Figma to make sure your components don’t break the grid logic, even when resized.
Utilizing the 8-Point Grid System
Ah, the 8-point grid system—simplicity and efficiency wrapped in one neat package. Start with the basics: Each element’s dimensions should ideally be multiples of eight. This keeps everything in harmonious sync.
Why 8-point? It’s mathematically versatile. Works like a charm for both fixed and fluid layouts. In fixed designs, elements align precisely. In fluid layouts, the scaling behavior remains balanced and predictable.
Practical example: Let’s say you’re designing a mobile interface. Every padding, margin, and spacing—in 8-point increments. It’s magical how well elements align, from icons to buttons to text blocks. This grid system ensures you maintain a consistent look and feel across all your design components.
Advanced Techniques in Figma
Sharing Grid Styles
Grid styles aren’t just useful; they’re game-changers for team projects. Create reusable styles in Figma and save them. Now, every team member has access. Consistency is no longer an issue. Everyone’s working from the same playbook.
When applying shared grid styles, consistency across multiple components and frames is guaranteed. No more misaligned elements or awkward spacing issues. Everyone’s design aligns perfectly with the unified style guide.
Customizing Grids for Unique Needs
Ever felt restricted by standard grid options? Customization is your escape hatch. Combine grids to create complex shapes. Think beyond the basics. Overlapping a modular grid with a column grid can unlock creative potentials you’ve yet to explore.
Adjust layouts for specific design challenges. Whether you’re working on an intricate UI design or need a framework for a dynamic website, customizing your grids can address unique demands and boost your project’s effectiveness.
Using Plugins to Enhance Workflow
Plugins, the unsung heroes. Take the Breakpoint plugin, for example. This tool helps visualize responsive changes instantly. No more guessing if your layout will hold. See it in action without leaving Figma.
Other tools automate grid setup and customization. Save hours. Avoid tedium. Optimize your workflow. With the right plugins, your grid design process becomes smoother and faster. Who wouldn’t want that?
FAQ on How To Make A Grid In Figma
How do you add a grid in Figma?
To add a grid, select a frame. Under the right-hand Properties panel, click on “Layout Grid.” Hit the “+” to add a grid. Choose between “Grid,” “Columns,” or “Rows” to customize.
Adjust settings like count, gutter, and margin to fit your design needs.
What is the best way to customize grid settings in Figma?
Customization is straightforward. In the Layout Grid settings, you can tweak the grid type, size, and color. Adjust the count and margin to align with your design layout.
Make sure to experiment with the Gutters to add spacing between grid lines, which aids in responsive design.
Can I create responsive grids in Figma?
Yes! Figma makes it simple. Use percentage-based values for layout grids instead of fixed pixels. This ensures elements snap into place on different screen sizes.
Utilize the “Auto Layout” feature for dynamic adjustments, making your grid system adaptable to various devices.
How do I align elements to a grid in Figma?
Use snapping features. As you move objects, they automatically snap to the closest grid line. You can toggle snapping settings in the toolbar.
For precise alignment, use the “Align” tools in the right-hand Properties panel to center elements within grid lines.
Is it possible to save grid settings as a template?
Absolutely. Set up your grid in a design file, then save that file as a template. This allows you to reuse the same grid settings across multiple projects.
Alternatively, use Figma’s “Components” to create reusable grid layouts that you can drag and drop into new designs.
What are common mistakes to avoid when creating grids in Figma?
Don’t overcrowd with too many grid lines. It makes design elements harder to align. Avoid inconsistent gutters and margins; they disrupt uniformity.
Skipping the grid isn’t advisable either; it helps create a cohesive and balanced layout, essential for UI/UX design.
Can I use grids for both web and app design in Figma?
Yes, grids are versatile. Set up different grid layouts tailored to your project’s needs. For web design, use columns to define content areas.
For app design, grids help maintain spacing and alignment across different screens, making your design more user-friendly.
How do I remove a grid once it’s been added?
Simple. Select the frame with the grid. In the right-hand Properties panel, find the Layout Grid section. Click on the trash icon next to the grid you want to remove.
This action immediately deletes the grid from your frame without affecting other elements.
Are there shortcuts for adding and modifying grids in Figma?
Yes, keyboard shortcuts streamline the process. Pressing “L” opens the Layout Grid settings. Once there, you can quickly toggle between grid types by using arrow keys.
Master these shortcuts to save time and boost efficiency in your design workflow.
How do I collaborate on grid designs in Figma with my team?
Figma excels in collaboration. Share your file via invite or link. Team members can then view and edit the grid system in real-time.
Use comments to suggest tweaks on grid settings. This collaborative aspect ensures consistency and alignment across the team’s designs.
Conclusion
Knowing how to make a grid in Figma boosts your design workflow and ensures consistency. With Figma’s intuitive interface, adding and customizing grids, be it for web design or app interfaces, has never been easier.
Steps covered:
- Adding and customizing grid settings
- Creating responsive grids
- Aligning elements precisely
- Saving grid templates for future use
- Common mistakes to avoid
By mastering these techniques, you’ll enhance your layout design, improve alignment, and create user-friendly interfaces. Implement responsive grids by using percentage-based values and Figma’s auto layout feature. Avoid overcrowding with too many lines and inconsistent gutters.
Benefits: Versatility for web and app design, ease of real-time collaboration, and streamlined workflow with keyboard shortcuts.
Now, with a solid grasp of Figma’s grid capabilities, you’re well-prepared to tackle any design project. Apply these insights to create orderly, aesthetically pleasing, and functional designs that stand out and deliver excellent user experiences.
