Rectangle and ellipse tools in Figma - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is the primary use of the Rectangle tool in Figma?

The Rectangle tool is used to create rectangular shapes and squares, which can be resized and styled for UI design or data visualization backgrounds.

beginner

How do you create a perfect circle using the Ellipse tool in Figma?

Hold the Shift key while dragging with the Ellipse tool to constrain the shape into a perfect circle.

intermediate

Can you adjust the corner radius of a rectangle in Figma? How?

Yes, you can adjust the corner radius by selecting the rectangle and dragging the circular handles near the corners or by entering a value in the corner radius input box.

beginner

What is the difference between the Rectangle and Ellipse tools in Figma?

The Rectangle tool creates four-sided shapes with straight edges, while the Ellipse tool creates oval or circular shapes with curved edges.

intermediate

How can rectangles and ellipses be used in business intelligence dashboards?

They can be used to create buttons, highlight areas, frame charts, or design icons that improve dashboard clarity and user interaction.

Which key should you hold to draw a perfect square with the Rectangle tool?

A Alt

B Ctrl

C Shift

D Tab

Holding Shift while dragging constrains the rectangle to a perfect square.

What shape does the Ellipse tool create by default?

A Oval

B Circle

C Rectangle

D Triangle

The Ellipse tool creates an oval shape by default unless constrained to a circle.

How can you change the corner radius of a rectangle in Figma?

A By dragging corner handles or entering a value

B By double-clicking the rectangle

C By right-clicking and selecting 'Radius'

D By using the Ellipse tool

You can drag the corner radius handles or input a numeric value to adjust corners.

Which tool would you use to create a circular button in a dashboard?

A Rectangle tool

B Pen tool

C Line tool

D Ellipse tool

The Ellipse tool is used to create circles and ovals, perfect for circular buttons.

What is a common use of rectangles and ellipses in BI dashboards?

A To create data tables

B To design visual elements like buttons and highlights

C To write code

D To import data

Rectangles and ellipses help design visual elements that improve dashboard usability.

Explain how to create a perfect circle and a perfect square using Figma's shape tools.

Think about which key constrains proportions.

Describe how rectangles and ellipses can improve the design of a business intelligence dashboard.

Consider visual elements that guide users.

Practice

1.

What happens if you hold the Shift key while drawing a rectangle in Figma?

easy

A. It locks the rectangle size to a fixed width.

B. It creates a rectangle with rounded corners.

C. It changes the rectangle color automatically.

D. It creates a perfect square.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the Shift key function in shape drawing

   Holding Shift while drawing a rectangle constrains the proportions to equal width and height.

2. Step 2: Apply this to rectangle shape

   This means the rectangle becomes a perfect square when Shift is held.

3. Final Answer:

   It creates a perfect square. -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Shift + draw rectangle = square [OK]

Hint: Hold Shift to keep width and height equal [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking Shift rounds corners
• Assuming Shift locks size
• Believing Shift changes color

2.

Which of the following is the correct way to draw a perfect circle using the ellipse tool in Figma?

easy

A. Click and drag without holding any key.

B. Click and drag while holding the Shift key.

C. Click and drag while holding the Alt key.

D. Double-click the ellipse tool icon.

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall ellipse tool behavior

   Dragging normally creates an ellipse with free width and height.

2. Step 2: Effect of holding Shift key

   Holding Shift while dragging constrains the ellipse to equal width and height, making a perfect circle.

3. Final Answer:

   Click and drag while holding the Shift key. -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Shift + drag ellipse = circle [OK]

Hint: Hold Shift while dragging ellipse for circle [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Not holding Shift and getting oval
• Using Alt instead of Shift
• Thinking double-click draws circle

3.

Consider you draw a rectangle of width 200px and height 100px, then you hold Shift and drag a corner to resize. What will be the new shape?

medium

A. A circle with diameter equal to the smaller side.

B. A rectangle with width and height resized independently.

C. A perfect square with equal width and height.

D. An ellipse with width and height equal.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand Shift key effect on resizing

   Holding Shift while resizing a rectangle constrains proportions, keeping width and height equal.

2. Step 2: Apply to initial rectangle

   Starting from 200x100, resizing with Shift will make width and height equal, forming a square.

3. Final Answer:

   A perfect square with equal width and height. -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Shift + resize rectangle = square [OK]

Hint: Shift locks aspect ratio to keep shape square [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking width and height resize separately
• Confusing rectangle with ellipse
• Assuming shape becomes circle

4.

You tried to draw a perfect circle using the ellipse tool but ended up with an oval. What is the most likely mistake?

medium

A. You did not hold the Shift key while dragging.

B. You held the Alt key instead of Shift.

C. You double-clicked the ellipse tool instead of dragging.

D. You used the rectangle tool instead of ellipse.

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify how to draw a perfect circle

   Holding Shift while dragging the ellipse tool constrains width and height to be equal.

2. Step 2: Analyze the mistake

   Not holding Shift means free width and height, resulting in an oval shape.

3. Final Answer:

   You did not hold the Shift key while dragging. -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   No Shift = oval, Shift = circle [OK]

Hint: Always hold Shift for perfect circles [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using Alt instead of Shift
• Double-clicking instead of dragging
• Confusing ellipse with rectangle tool

5.

You want to create a dashboard highlight using a perfect circle and a square of the same size side by side. You draw an ellipse and a rectangle. How do you ensure both shapes have exactly 150px sides?

hard

A. Hold Shift while drawing both shapes and set width and height to 150px.

B. Hold Shift while drawing both shapes and resize to 150px width only.

C. Draw both shapes freely and then set width to 150px manually.

D. Draw shapes without Shift and set width to 150px, height to 150px only for rectangle.

Solution

1. Step 1: Use Shift to constrain proportions

   Holding Shift while drawing ensures the ellipse becomes a perfect circle and rectangle becomes a square.

2. Step 2: Set both width and height to 150px

   Manually setting both width and height to 150px guarantees exact size for both shapes.

3. Final Answer:

   Hold Shift while drawing both shapes and set width and height to 150px. -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Shift + set width & height = perfect circle and square [OK]

Hint: Hold Shift and set both width and height to same value [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Setting only width or height, causing shape distortion
• Not holding Shift and getting oval or rectangle
• Assuming resizing width alone is enough