Eyedropper tool in Figma - Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

The Eyedropper tool helps you pick colors from anywhere on your screen to use in your design. It solves the problem of matching colors exactly without guessing or typing color codes.

When you want to match a color from a logo or image in your design.

When you need to use the exact color from another part of your project.

When you want to quickly copy a color from a website or photo.

When you want to keep your design colors consistent without manual input.

When you want to create a color palette based on an existing image.

Steps

Step 1: Select the object or text you want to change the color of

- Canvas or Layers panel

The object or text is highlighted and ready for editing

Step 2: Click the Fill color square in the right sidebar

- Design panel

The color picker panel opens showing current color options

Step 3: Click the Eyedropper icon inside the color picker

- Color picker panel

The cursor changes to an eyedropper tool allowing color selection

Step 4: Move the eyedropper cursor anywhere on your screen and click the color you want to pick

- Anywhere on the screen including outside Figma window

The selected color is applied to the object's fill color

Step 5: Click outside the color picker panel to close it

- Anywhere outside the color picker panel

The color picker closes and the new color remains applied

Before vs After

Before

Object fill color is a random blue (#3A7BD5)

After

Object fill color changes to the exact green (#4CAF50) picked from a logo on the screen

Settings Reference

Eyedropper tool

📍 Design panel > Fill color > Eyedropper icon

To select and apply exact colors from anywhere on or off the canvas

Default: Pick color from canvas

Common Mistakes

Trying to pick a color without first selecting an object

Eyedropper applies color to the selected object only, so no object means no color change

Always select the object or text before using the Eyedropper tool

Clicking outside the screen before picking a color

The eyedropper tool cancels if you click outside the screen without selecting a color

Move the cursor carefully and click exactly on the color you want to pick

Summary

The Eyedropper tool lets you pick exact colors from anywhere on your screen.

Use it by selecting an object, opening the fill color, and clicking the eyedropper icon.

Remember to select an object first and click precisely on the color to apply it.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of the Eyedropper tool in Figma?

easy

A. To pick and reuse colors from anywhere on the screen

B. To create new shapes and icons

C. To add text to your design

D. To export your design as an image

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the Eyedropper tool function

   The Eyedropper tool is used to select colors from any visible pixel on the screen.

2. Step 2: Identify the correct purpose

   It helps keep colors consistent by reusing exact colors from designs or images.

3. Final Answer:

   To pick and reuse colors from anywhere on the screen -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Eyedropper tool = pick colors [OK]

Hint: Eyedropper picks colors from screen pixels fast [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing Eyedropper with shape or text tools
• Thinking it exports images
• Assuming it creates new colors

2. Which of the following is the correct way to activate the Eyedropper tool in Figma?

easy

A. Press Ctrl + E (Windows) or Cmd + E (Mac)

B. Press Ctrl + I (Windows) or Cmd + I (Mac)

C. Press Ctrl + P (Windows) or Cmd + P (Mac)

D. Press Ctrl + D (Windows) or Cmd + D (Mac)

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall Figma shortcut for Eyedropper

   The Eyedropper tool shortcut is Ctrl + E on Windows and Cmd + E on Mac.

2. Step 2: Match shortcut to options

   Press Ctrl + E (Windows) or Cmd + E (Mac) matches the correct shortcut for activating the Eyedropper tool.

3. Final Answer:

   Press Ctrl + E (Windows) or Cmd + E (Mac) -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Eyedropper shortcut = Ctrl/Cmd + E [OK]

Hint: Remember E for Eyedropper shortcut [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing with shortcuts for other tools
• Using Ctrl + I which is for Italic text
• Using Ctrl + P which is for Print

3. You use the Eyedropper tool on a complex image with many colors. What will happen when you click on a pixel?

medium

A. The pixel is deleted from the image

B. A random color from the image is selected

C. The entire image is converted to grayscale

D. The exact color of that pixel is selected and applied to your current object

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand Eyedropper behavior on images

   The Eyedropper tool picks the exact color of the pixel you click on, no matter how complex the image is.

2. Step 2: Identify the effect on the current object

   The selected color is applied to the object you are editing, ensuring color accuracy.

3. Final Answer:

   The exact color of that pixel is selected and applied to your current object -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Eyedropper picks exact pixel color [OK]

Hint: Click pixel to get its exact color instantly [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking it picks random colors
• Assuming it changes the whole image
• Believing it deletes pixels

4. You try to use the Eyedropper tool but it does not pick the color from a hidden layer. What is the likely problem?

medium

A. You need to restart Figma to enable Eyedropper

B. The Eyedropper tool cannot pick colors from images

C. The Eyedropper tool only works on visible pixels

D. You must unlock the layer before using Eyedropper

Solution

1. Step 1: Check Eyedropper tool limitations

   The Eyedropper tool only picks colors from pixels that are visible on the screen.

2. Step 2: Understand hidden layers effect

   If a layer is hidden, its pixels are not visible, so the Eyedropper cannot pick colors from it.

3. Final Answer:

   The Eyedropper tool only works on visible pixels -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Eyedropper needs visible pixels [OK]

Hint: Make sure layer is visible before picking color [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking restart fixes Eyedropper issues
• Believing Eyedropper can't pick from images
• Assuming locked layers block Eyedropper

5. You want to keep your brand colors consistent across multiple designs in Figma. How can the Eyedropper tool help you achieve this?

hard

A. By exporting your brand colors as a color palette file

B. By picking exact colors from your brand logo and applying them to new designs

C. By automatically generating new colors similar to your brand colors

D. By locking colors so they cannot be changed

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify how Eyedropper maintains color consistency

   The Eyedropper tool picks exact colors from any visible pixel, such as your brand logo.

2. Step 2: Apply picked colors to new designs

   Using the picked colors ensures your new designs use the exact brand colors, keeping consistency.

3. Final Answer:

   By picking exact colors from your brand logo and applying them to new designs -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Eyedropper picks brand colors for consistency [OK]

Hint: Pick brand colors from logo to reuse exactly [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking Eyedropper generates new colors
• Confusing with exporting palettes
• Assuming it locks colors automatically