Alignment within Auto Layout in Figma - Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

Alignment within Auto Layout helps you arrange items neatly inside a frame. It solves the problem of uneven spacing and messy layouts by automatically positioning elements based on your chosen alignment settings.

When you want to center buttons evenly inside a toolbar.

When you need to align text and icons consistently in a dashboard panel.

When arranging cards or tiles so they line up perfectly in rows or columns.

When you want to space out menu items evenly without manual adjustments.

When resizing a container and you want the child elements to stay aligned properly.

Steps

Step 1: Select the frame that uses Auto Layout

- Layers panel or canvas

The frame is highlighted and its properties appear in the right sidebar

Step 2: Click the alignment icons under the 'Auto Layout' section

- Right sidebar under Auto Layout settings

The child elements inside the frame realign according to the chosen alignment (left, center, right for horizontal; top, center, bottom for vertical)

Step 3: Adjust the padding and spacing values if needed

- Right sidebar under Auto Layout settings

The space around and between child elements updates, maintaining the alignment

Step 4: Resize the frame by dragging its edges

- Canvas

Child elements stay aligned as per the Auto Layout alignment settings while the frame size changes

Before vs After

Before

A frame with three buttons aligned unevenly and overlapping when resized

After

The same frame with buttons evenly spaced and aligned center horizontally, maintaining layout when resized

Settings Reference

Horizontal alignment

📍 Right sidebar > Auto Layout section

Controls how child elements align horizontally inside the Auto Layout frame

Default: Left

Vertical alignment

📍 Right sidebar > Auto Layout section

Controls how child elements align vertically inside the Auto Layout frame

Default: Top

Padding

📍 Right sidebar > Auto Layout section

Adds space inside the frame edges around the child elements

Default: 0 px

Spacing between items

📍 Right sidebar > Auto Layout section

Sets the space between each child element inside the frame

Default: 0 px

Common Mistakes

Not selecting the Auto Layout frame before changing alignment

Alignment options only apply to frames with Auto Layout enabled

Always select the frame that has Auto Layout before adjusting alignment settings

Using manual positioning inside an Auto Layout frame

Manual moves are overridden by Auto Layout and cause confusion

Use padding and spacing settings to control layout instead of dragging child elements

Summary

Alignment within Auto Layout arranges child elements neatly inside frames automatically.

You can control horizontal and vertical alignment plus spacing and padding.

Remember to select the Auto Layout frame before changing alignment settings.