How to Add Blur in Figma: Step-by-Step Guide

To add blur in Figma, select the object and go to the Effects panel, then click + and choose Layer Blur or Background Blur. Adjust the blur radius slider to control the blur strength.

Syntax

In Figma, blur effects are added through the Effects panel on the right sidebar. You can add two types of blur:

• Layer Blur: Blurs the selected layer itself.
• Background Blur: Blurs the content behind the selected layer.

Each blur effect has a Radius value that controls how strong the blur is.

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1. Select the layer or object.
2. Open the Effects panel on the right.
3. Click the '+' button to add an effect.
4. Choose 'Layer Blur' or 'Background Blur'.
5. Adjust the 'Radius' slider to set blur strength.

Example

This example shows how to add a Layer Blur of 10 pixels to a rectangle shape in Figma.

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1. Draw a rectangle on the canvas.
2. Select the rectangle.
3. In the right sidebar, find the Effects section.
4. Click '+' and select 'Layer Blur'.
5. Set the Radius to 10.

Result: The rectangle edges and fill become blurred, creating a soft look.

Output

A rectangle with a soft, blurred appearance where edges and fill are fuzzy.

Common Pitfalls

Common mistakes when adding blur in Figma:

• Not selecting the layer before adding blur, so the effect doesn't apply.
• Confusing Layer Blur with Background Blur. The former blurs the object itself, the latter blurs what's behind it.
• Setting the blur radius too high, which can make the design look unclear.
• For Background Blur, the layer must have some transparency to see the blur effect.

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Wrong way:
- Add Background Blur on an opaque layer (no transparency).
- Result: No visible blur effect.

Right way:
- Reduce layer opacity or use a transparent fill.
- Add Background Blur.
- Result: Background content appears blurred through the layer.

Quick Reference

Blur Type	Effect	Use Case	Notes
Layer Blur	Blurs the selected layer itself	Softening edges or creating glow	Works on any layer
Background Blur	Blurs content behind the layer	Frosted glass or overlay effects	Layer must have transparency

Key Takeaways

Add blur effects in Figma via the Effects panel by choosing Layer Blur or Background Blur.

Layer Blur softens the selected object; Background Blur softens what's behind it.

Adjust the blur radius slider to control the blur strength precisely.

Background Blur requires the layer to have some transparency to show the effect.

Avoid setting blur radius too high to keep designs clear and readable.