Export settings and scales in Figma - Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

Export settings and scales in Figma let you save your designs as images or files with the right size and quality. This helps you share or use your visuals exactly how you want them.

When you need to save a dashboard design as a PNG for a presentation.

When you want to export icons at different sizes for a website.

When you need to share a high-quality PDF report with your team.

When you want to export assets for different screen resolutions.

When you want to control file format and size for faster loading.

Steps

Step 1: Select the frame or object

- Canvas

The selected item is highlighted with a blue outline

Step 2: Click the Export section

- Right sidebar under Design tab

Export options panel expands showing format and scale settings

Step 3: Click the '+' button

- Export section in the right sidebar

A new export setting row appears with default format PNG and scale 1x

Step 4: Select the file format

- Format dropdown in the export settings

The format changes to your choice (PNG, JPG, SVG, PDF)

💡 Choose PNG for images with transparency, JPG for photos, SVG for vector graphics, PDF for documents

Step 5: Set the scale value

- Scale input box in the export settings

The export size changes according to the scale (e.g., 2x doubles the size)

💡 Use 1x for original size, 2x or 3x for high-resolution screens

Step 6: Click the Export button

- Export section in the right sidebar

The file downloads to your computer with the chosen format and scale

Before vs After

Before

Selected frame with no export settings, no file ready to download

After

Export settings added with PNG format and 2x scale, file downloaded as '[e-mail]'

Settings Reference

Format

📍 Export section in the right sidebar

Choose the file type for the exported image or document

Default: PNG

Scale

📍 Export section in the right sidebar

Set the size multiplier for the exported file

Default: 1x

Suffix

📍 Export section in the right sidebar

Add a custom text suffix to the exported file name

Default: None

Common Mistakes

Exporting without setting the correct scale

The exported image may be too small or too large for its intended use

Always check and set the scale value to match the target screen or usage

Choosing JPG format for images needing transparency

JPG does not support transparent backgrounds, causing unwanted backgrounds

Use PNG format for images that require transparency

Summary

Export settings let you save designs in different file types and sizes.

Set the format and scale carefully to match your needs.

Use the Export panel in the right sidebar to control these options.

Practice

1. What does the scale option do when exporting an image in Figma?

easy

A. It compresses the image to reduce file size.

B. It changes the file format of the exported image.

C. It changes the image size by multiplying dimensions without losing quality.

D. It adds a suffix to the file name automatically.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand scale in export context

   The scale option multiplies the width and height of the image by the chosen factor.

2. Step 2: Effect on image quality

   Scaling up or down keeps the image quality sharp by adjusting pixel density accordingly.

3. Final Answer:

   It changes the image size by multiplying dimensions without losing quality. -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Scale adjusts size, not format or compression [OK]

Hint: Scale multiplies size, not format or compression [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing scale with file format change
• Thinking scale compresses image
• Assuming scale adds suffix automatically

2. Which of the following is the correct way to set export scale to 2x in Figma's export settings?

easy

A. Set scale to 3

B. Set scale to 0.5

C. Set scale to 1

D. Set scale to 2

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify scale factor for 2x export

   2x means doubling the size, so scale must be set to 2.

2. Step 2: Verify other options

   0.5 halves size, 1 keeps original size, 3 triples size.

3. Final Answer:

   Set scale to 2 -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   2x scale means scale = 2 [OK]

Hint: 2x scale means set scale value to 2 [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Setting scale to 0.5 for 2x export
• Confusing scale 1 as 2x
• Using scale 3 instead of 2

3. If you export an image at scale 3 with suffix @3x, what will be the effect on the exported file?

medium

A. The image will be three times larger and file name will include '@3x'.

B. The image will be smaller and file name will include '@3x'.

C. The image size stays the same but file name changes to '@3x'.

D. The image will be three times larger but file name stays unchanged.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand scale 3 effect

   Scale 3 multiplies image dimensions by 3, making it larger.

2. Step 2: Understand suffix usage

   Suffix '@3x' is added to the file name to indicate scale factor.

3. Final Answer:

   The image will be three times larger and file name will include '@3x'. -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Scale 3 enlarges image; suffix labels file [OK]

Hint: Scale changes size; suffix changes file name [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking suffix changes image size
• Assuming scale 3 shrinks image
• Ignoring suffix in file name

4. You set export scale to 2 and suffix to @2x but the exported file name does not include the suffix. What is the likely cause?

medium

A. Suffix field was left empty or not saved.

B. Scale must be set to 1 for suffix to appear.

C. File format does not support suffixes.

D. Export settings do not allow suffixes with scale.

Solution

1. Step 1: Check suffix field usage

   If suffix is empty or changes not saved, it won't appear in file name.

2. Step 2: Verify scale and format settings

   Scale 2 supports suffix; file formats support suffixes; export allows suffixes with scale.

3. Final Answer:

   Suffix field was left empty or not saved. -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Suffix must be entered and saved to appear [OK]

Hint: Always save suffix text to see it in file name [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking scale disables suffix
• Believing file format blocks suffix
• Not saving suffix after typing

5. You need to export icons for web at 1x, 2x, and 3x scales with clear file names. Which export settings combination is best?

hard

A. Export three times with scale 1 and suffixes '1x', '2x', '3x'.

B. Export three times with scales 1, 2, 3 and suffixes '', '@2x', '@3x' respectively.

C. Export once at scale 3 with suffix '@3x' and rename files manually.

D. Export once at scale 1 with no suffix and resize files later.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand scale and suffix matching

   Each scale should have matching suffix to identify size clearly.

2. Step 2: Evaluate options

   Export three times with scales 1, 2, 3 and suffixes '', '@2x', '@3x' respectively, exports at correct scales with proper suffixes automatically. Others either skip scales or mismatch suffixes.

3. Final Answer:

   Export three times with scales 1, 2, 3 and suffixes '', '@2x', '@3x' respectively. -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Match scale and suffix for clarity [OK]

Hint: Match scale with suffix for clear file names [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Exporting once and renaming manually
• Using wrong suffix for scale
• Exporting all at scale 1 only