How to Add Text in Figma: Simple Steps for Beginners

To add text in Figma, select the Text tool (T) from the toolbar, then click anywhere on the canvas and start typing. You can adjust the font, size, color, and alignment using the properties panel on the right.

Syntax

In Figma, adding text follows this simple pattern:

• Select Text tool (T): Activate the text tool from the toolbar or press T on your keyboard.
• Click on canvas: Click once where you want the text to start.
• Type your text: Enter the words you want to display.
• Adjust properties: Use the right panel to change font, size, color, and alignment.

text

1. Press T or click Text tool
2. Click on canvas
3. Type your text
4. Use properties panel to style

Output

A text box appears on the canvas with your typed words.

Example

This example shows how to add a simple text label in Figma and style it.

text

1. Press <code>T</code> to select the Text tool.
2. Click on the canvas.
3. Type "Hello, Figma!".
4. In the right panel, set font to "Roboto", size to 24, and color to #333333.
5. Align text center if needed.

Output

You will see a text box on the canvas displaying "Hello, Figma!" in Roboto font, size 24, dark gray color, centered alignment.

Common Pitfalls

Here are some common mistakes when adding text in Figma and how to avoid them:

• Not selecting the Text tool: Trying to type without activating the Text tool will not create text.
• Clicking and dragging instead of clicking once: Dragging creates a fixed-size text box which may cut off text if too small.
• Ignoring properties panel: Forgetting to style text can make it hard to read or inconsistent.

text

Wrong:
- Click and drag to create text box too small
- Type long text and it gets cut off

Right:
- Click once to create auto-sizing text box
- Type text freely without cutoff
- Adjust font size and box if needed

Output

Text box automatically resizes to fit text without cutting it off.

Quick Reference

Action	Shortcut / Description
Select Text tool	Press T or click Text icon
Add text	Click once on canvas and type
Create fixed box	Click and drag to set box size
Change font	Use right panel font dropdown
Change size	Adjust font size in right panel
Change color	Pick fill color in right panel
Align text	Use alignment buttons in right panel

Key Takeaways

Press T to quickly select the Text tool in Figma.

Click once on the canvas to create an auto-sizing text box.

Use the right properties panel to style font, size, color, and alignment.

Avoid dragging to create text boxes unless you want fixed size.

Always check text visibility and adjust box or font size as needed.