CSS properties export in Figma - Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

This feature helps you get the CSS code for any design element in Figma. It solves the problem of manually writing CSS by showing the exact styles used in your design.

When you want to quickly get CSS code for a button you designed.

When you need to share exact style details with a developer.

When you want to check the font size, color, or spacing of a text element.

When you want to export CSS for a shape or frame to use on a website.

When you want to learn how your design translates into CSS code.

Steps

Step 1: Select

- Canvas on the design element you want CSS for

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

Step 2: Click

- Code tab in the right sidebar

The CSS properties for the selected element appear in a scrollable panel

Step 3: Review

- CSS code panel under the Code tab

You see CSS properties like font-size, color, margin, padding, and more exactly matching the design

Step 4: Copy

- CSS code panel (use the copy icon or select and copy manually)

CSS code is copied to your clipboard ready to paste into your project

Step 5: Paste

- Your code editor or project file

The CSS styles from your Figma design are now in your code

Before vs After

Before

You have a button design selected with no code visible

After

The Code tab shows the exact CSS properties for the button, ready to copy

Settings Reference

Code tab

📍 Right sidebar when an element is selected

Choose which code format to view for the selected element

Default: CSS

Copy button

📍 Top right corner of the CSS code panel

Quickly copy all CSS properties shown for the selected element

Default: Copy CSS code

Common Mistakes

Trying to get CSS without selecting an element

The Code tab shows no CSS if no element is selected

Always select the design element first to see its CSS properties

Copying CSS from the Design tab instead of the Code tab

The Design tab shows style settings but not formatted CSS code

Use the Code tab to get properly formatted CSS code

Summary

CSS properties export shows exact CSS code for any selected design element.

Use the Code tab in the right sidebar after selecting an element.

Copy the CSS code to use it directly in your web projects.

Practice

1. What is the main benefit of exporting CSS properties from Figma's Inspect panel?

easy

A. It provides ready-to-use style code for faster web development.

B. It automatically creates HTML structure for your website.

C. It exports images in multiple formats for design use.

D. It generates JavaScript code for interactive elements.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the purpose of CSS export in Figma

   Exporting CSS properties gives developers the exact styles used in the design, such as colors, fonts, and spacing.

2. Step 2: Identify what the Inspect panel provides

   The Inspect panel shows CSS code snippets that can be copied and used directly in web development, speeding up the process.

3. Final Answer:

   It provides ready-to-use style code for faster web development. -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   CSS export = ready-to-use styles [OK]

Hint: Remember: Inspect panel exports CSS styles, not HTML or JS [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing CSS export with HTML or JavaScript generation
• Thinking images are exported as CSS
• Assuming CSS export creates interactive code

2. Which of the following is the correct CSS syntax snippet you might copy from Figma's Inspect panel for a text color?

easy

A. text-color: #FF5733;

B. font-color = #FF5733;

C. color: #FF5733;

D. color == '#FF5733';

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall standard CSS syntax for color

   CSS uses the property color followed by a colon and the color value ending with a semicolon.

2. Step 2: Compare options to standard CSS

   color: #FF5733; matches the correct syntax: color: #FF5733;. Others use invalid syntax or property names.

3. Final Answer:

   color: #FF5733; -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   CSS color syntax = property: value; [OK]

Hint: CSS properties use colon and semicolon, not equals signs [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using equals sign (=) instead of colon (:)
• Using incorrect property names like font-color or text-color
• Missing semicolon at the end

3. Given this CSS snippet copied from Figma's Inspect panel:

font-family: 'Roboto', sans-serif;
font-weight: 700;
font-size: 16px;
line-height: 24px;

What will be the font weight and size applied to the text?

medium

A. Font weight 700 (bold), font size 16 pixels

B. Font weight normal, font size 24 pixels

C. Font weight 400, font size 16 pixels

D. Font weight 700, font size 24 pixels

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify font-weight value

   The snippet shows font-weight: 700; which means bold weight.

2. Step 2: Identify font-size value

   The snippet shows font-size: 16px; meaning the text size is 16 pixels.

3. Final Answer:

   Font weight 700 (bold), font size 16 pixels -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   font-weight 700 + font-size 16px = Font weight 700 (bold), font size 16 pixels [OK]

Hint: 700 font-weight means bold; font-size uses px units [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing line-height with font-size
• Assuming 700 is normal weight
• Mixing up font-size and line-height values

4. You copied this CSS from Figma but the background color is not applying:

background-color #00FF00;

What is the error and how to fix it?

medium

A. Missing semicolon; fix to background-color #00FF00;;

B. Missing colon after property name; fix to background-color: #00FF00;

C. Property name is wrong; use bg-color: #00FF00;

D. Color code is invalid; fix to background-color: green;

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify CSS syntax error

   The snippet misses a colon after background-color, which is required in CSS.

2. Step 2: Correct the syntax

   Adding the colon and semicolon fixes it: background-color: #00FF00;.

3. Final Answer:

   Missing colon after property name; fix to background-color: #00FF00; -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   CSS needs colon after property [OK]

Hint: CSS properties always need colon between name and value [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Forgetting colon after property name
• Using wrong property names like bg-color
• Thinking semicolon is optional before fixing colon

5. You want to export CSS for a Figma design that uses a shadow effect. Which CSS property should you expect to copy from the Inspect panel to replicate the shadow on a website?

hard

A. shadow-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1);

B. text-shadow: 0 4px 6px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1);

C. shadow-effect: 0 4px 6px black;

D. box-shadow: 0 4px 6px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1);

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify shadow type in design

   For general element shadows (like boxes), CSS uses box-shadow. For text shadows, it uses text-shadow.

2. Step 2: Match Figma shadow export

   Figma exports box shadows as box-shadow with offset and color values.

3. Final Answer:

   box-shadow: 0 4px 6px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1); -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Box shadows use box-shadow property [OK]

Hint: Box shadows use box-shadow; text shadows use text-shadow [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using non-existent properties like shadow-color or shadow-effect
• Confusing text-shadow with box-shadow
• Omitting rgba color format