How to Create an Arrow in Figma: Simple Steps

To create an arrow in Figma, draw a line or shape and then add an arrowhead by selecting the line and enabling Stroke > Arrowheads in the right panel. You can customize the arrow style, size, and direction easily from these settings.

Syntax

In Figma, arrows are created by applying arrowheads to lines or strokes. The main parts are:

• Line or shape: The base path for the arrow.
• Stroke panel: Where you enable and customize arrowheads.
• Arrowhead options: Choose start, end, or both ends for arrowheads and select the style.

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1. Select the <Line> tool or draw a shape.
2. Select the line or shape.
3. In the right panel, find the <Stroke> section.
4. Click the dropdown next to <Arrowheads>.
5. Choose arrowhead style for start, end, or both.
6. Adjust size and stroke weight as needed.

Example

This example shows how to create a simple right-pointing arrow using the line tool and arrowhead settings.

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1. Select the <Line> tool (shortcut: L).
2. Click and drag to draw a horizontal line.
3. With the line selected, go to the right panel.
4. Under <Stroke>, click the arrowhead dropdown next to <End>.
5. Select the arrowhead style (e.g., triangle).
6. Adjust stroke weight to make the arrow thicker if desired.

Output

A horizontal line with a triangle arrowhead pointing right at the end.

Common Pitfalls

Common mistakes when creating arrows in Figma include:

• Not selecting the line before trying to add arrowheads, so the option is not visible.
• Using shapes like triangles separately instead of arrowheads, which makes resizing and alignment harder.
• Forgetting to adjust stroke weight, resulting in arrows that are too thin or thick.
• Trying to add arrowheads to fills instead of strokes, which won't work.

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Wrong way:
1. Draw a line.
2. Try to add arrowhead without selecting the line.

Right way:
1. Select the line.
2. Use the <Stroke> panel to add arrowheads.

Quick Reference

Action	Description
Draw Line	Use the Line tool (L) to create the arrow base.
Select Line	Click the line to activate stroke options.
Open Stroke Panel	Find Stroke settings in the right sidebar.
Add Arrowhead	Choose arrowhead style for start/end/both.
Adjust Stroke	Change stroke weight for thickness.
Flip Direction	Reverse line direction to flip arrow.

Key Takeaways

Use the Line tool and Stroke panel to create arrows easily in Figma.

Arrowheads are added via stroke settings, not by separate shapes.

Always select the line before adding arrowheads to see options.

Adjust stroke weight to control arrow thickness and visibility.

Flip the line direction to change arrow pointing direction.