Auto-width vs auto-height text in Figma - Compared

Introduction

This feature helps you control how text boxes resize when you change the text inside. Auto-width text boxes grow wider to fit the text on one line. Auto-height text boxes grow taller to fit the text wrapped on multiple lines. This solves the problem of text getting cut off or leaving too much empty space.

When you want a button label to stay on one line and the button width to adjust automatically.

When you have a paragraph of text that should wrap and the box height should grow to fit all lines.

When designing a card where the title should not wrap but the description should expand vertically.

When you want to keep a menu item width fixed but allow the text inside to wrap and grow in height.

When creating responsive layouts where text boxes need to adjust size based on content length.

Steps

Step 1: Select the text layer

- Layers panel or canvas

The text layer is highlighted and its properties appear in the right sidebar

Step 2: Click the 'Auto width' button

- Text section in the right sidebar

The text box width adjusts to fit the text on a single line; height stays fixed

💡 Use this when you want the text to stay in one line without wrapping

Step 3: Click the 'Auto height' button

- Text section in the right sidebar

The text box width stays fixed; height adjusts to fit wrapped text lines

💡 Use this when you want the text to wrap and the box to grow taller

Step 4: Resize the text box manually

- Canvas by dragging the edges

If auto height is selected, width stays fixed and height adjusts automatically; if auto width is selected, width adjusts automatically and height stays fixed

Before vs After

Before

Text box is fixed size 200px wide and 50px tall; text longer than box width is clipped or hidden

After

With auto width selected, text box width changes to 300px to fit text on one line; height stays 50px

Settings Reference

Auto width

📍 Right sidebar > Text section

Makes the text box width adjust automatically to fit the text on one line

Default: Fixed size

Auto height

📍 Right sidebar > Text section

Makes the text box height adjust automatically to fit wrapped text lines

Default: Fixed size

Fixed size

📍 Right sidebar > Text section

Keeps the text box size fixed; text may overflow or be clipped

Default: Fixed size

Common Mistakes

Choosing auto width for a paragraph of text expecting it to wrap

Auto width keeps text on one line and expands width, so text does not wrap

Use auto height for paragraphs so text wraps and box height grows

Using fixed size text box and expecting it to resize automatically

Fixed size boxes do not resize; text may overflow or be clipped

Select auto width or auto height to enable automatic resizing

Summary

Auto width makes text boxes grow wider to fit text on one line without wrapping.

Auto height makes text boxes keep width fixed and grow taller to fit wrapped text.

Choose the right auto sizing based on whether you want text to wrap or stay on one line.

Practice

1. What happens to an auto-width text box in Figma when you add more text on a single line?

easy

A. The text box gets wider but the height stays the same.

B. The text box gets taller but the width stays the same.

C. The text box stays the same size.

D. The text box gets both wider and taller.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand auto-width behavior

   An auto-width text box expands horizontally as more text is added on the same line.

2. Step 2: Check height behavior

   The height remains fixed because the text does not wrap to a new line.

3. Final Answer:

   The text box gets wider but the height stays the same. -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Auto-width means width changes, height fixed [OK]

Hint: Auto-width grows sideways, height stays fixed [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking height changes with more text on one line
• Confusing auto-width with auto-height behavior
• Assuming box size stays fixed always

2. Which of the following is the correct way to set a text box to auto-height in Figma?

easy

A. Select the text box and choose 'Fixed Size' in the properties panel.

B. Select the text box and choose 'Auto Width' in the properties panel.

C. Select the text box and manually drag the height to fit text.

D. Select the text box and choose 'Auto Height' in the properties panel.

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify the property for auto-height

   In Figma, setting a text box to auto-height is done by selecting 'Auto Height' in the properties panel.

2. Step 2: Eliminate other options

   'Fixed Size' locks dimensions, 'Auto Width' changes width, and manual dragging is not automatic resizing.

3. Final Answer:

   Select the text box and choose 'Auto Height' in the properties panel. -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Auto-height is set by choosing 'Auto Height' [OK]

Hint: Pick 'Auto Height' option to grow height automatically [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Choosing 'Auto Width' instead of 'Auto Height'
• Thinking manual drag sets auto-height
• Confusing 'Fixed Size' with auto resizing

3. Given an auto-height text box with a fixed width of 200px, what will happen if you paste a paragraph of text that wraps into 5 lines?

medium

A. The text box height will increase to fit the 5 lines.

B. The text box will shrink to fit the text.

C. The text box size will stay fixed and text will overflow.

D. The text box width will increase to fit the text.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand auto-height with fixed width

   Auto-height text boxes keep width fixed but grow taller as text wraps to new lines.

2. Step 2: Apply to 5-line paragraph

   Since the paragraph wraps into 5 lines, the height will increase to fit all lines without cutting off text.

3. Final Answer:

   The text box height will increase to fit the 5 lines. -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Auto-height means height grows, width fixed [OK]

Hint: Auto-height grows down with wrapped lines [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming width changes with auto-height
• Thinking text overflows instead of box growing
• Confusing auto-width behavior here

4. You set a text box to auto-width but notice the height changes unexpectedly when you add text. What is the most likely cause?

medium

A. The font size is too small to affect height.

B. The text box has a fixed width and height.

C. The text box is actually set to auto-height, not auto-width.

D. The text box is locked and cannot resize.

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze unexpected height change

   If height changes when adding text, the box is likely set to auto-height, which grows vertically.

2. Step 2: Confirm setting mismatch

   Since auto-width should keep height fixed, the unexpected height change means the setting is not auto-width.

3. Final Answer:

   The text box is actually set to auto-height, not auto-width. -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Height changes mean auto-height setting [OK]

Hint: Height changes? Check if auto-height is set instead [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming fixed size allows height change
• Ignoring the actual text box setting
• Thinking font size affects resizing mode

5. You want a text box that keeps a fixed width of 300px but automatically adjusts height as the user types multiple lines. Which setting should you choose and why?

hard

A. Auto-width, because it grows width with text.

B. Auto-height, because it grows height with wrapped lines.

C. Fixed size, because it keeps both width and height fixed.

D. Manual resize, because auto settings don't allow height changes.

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify requirement for fixed width and variable height

   The text box must keep width fixed at 300px but grow taller as lines increase.

2. Step 2: Match setting to requirement

   Auto-height keeps width fixed and adjusts height automatically with wrapped lines, fitting the need.

3. Step 3: Eliminate other options

   Auto-width changes width, fixed size locks both dimensions, manual resize is not automatic.

4. Final Answer:

   Auto-height, because it grows height with wrapped lines. -> Option B

5. Quick Check:

   Fixed width + growing height = Auto-height [OK]

Hint: Fixed width + variable height? Choose auto-height [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Choosing auto-width which changes width
• Thinking fixed size allows auto height
• Believing manual resize is automatic