On this page
Quick steps
Select the text
Select the whole text layer, or highlight a few characters to change only those.
Find Typography
In the right sidebar, open the Typography section. Line height and letter spacing are next to the font size.
Set line height
Type a value like 24 for pixels or 150% for a percentage, or choose Auto to use the font's own value.
Adjust letter spacing
Type a value in the letter spacing field, or nudge it with the keyboard shortcut.
Line height, letter spacing, size and weight shortcuts
| Action | Mac | Windows |
|---|---|---|
| Line height | Mac⇧⌥<or⇧⌥> | WindowsAltShift<orAltShift> |
| Letter spacing | Mac⌥<or⌥> | WindowsAlt<orAlt> |
| Font size | Mac⇧⌘<or⇧⌘> | WindowsCtrlShift<orCtrlShift> |
| Font weight | Mac⌥⌘<or⌥⌘> | WindowsCtrlAlt<orCtrlAlt> |
One key of each pair steps the value up and the other steps it down. Figma's pages disagree on letter spacing: the text properties article gives ⌥ (Alt) as above, while one shortcut table lists ⌘. If ⌥ doesn't work for you, open the shortcuts panel with ⌃⇧? (Ctrl+Shift+? on Windows) and check. Figma text shortcuts has the full text list.
Auto vs px vs % line height
- Auto takes the line height from the font file. It changes when you change fonts.
- px is a fixed distance. It doesn't follow the font size, so recheck it when you resize text.
- % is relative to the font size, so it scales with the text.
Figma converts between Auto, px and %, so you can switch units without doing the maths yourself. Pick % when you want spacing that keeps its ratio as the font size changes, and px when a baseline grid needs exact values.
How to adjust kerning or tracking
Figma calls it letter spacing. Set it in the Typography section, or use the shortcut above. To change the space between two specific characters, highlight just those characters in the text and adjust letter spacing for that selection.
Why line height isn't working
- Only part of the text changed. Figma applies the value to whatever is selected. Select the whole layer (not a word inside it) to change every line.
- The gap is between paragraphs, not lines. That's paragraph spacing, a separate px setting in the text options.
- The indent won't apply. Paragraph indent only works on left-aligned text.
- The box height looks wrong. Figma can trim the extra space above and below the text (vertical trim). Developers see it as leading-trim in Dev Mode.
If the font itself is missing, see fonts not showing in Figma. To size text to a box instead of setting numbers, try scaling text to fit.
Ranked listBest Figma plugins for typography and fontsFrequently asked questions
How do I change leading in Figma?
Leading is Figma's line height. Set it in the Typography section as Auto, px or %, or use ⇧⌥< and ⇧⌥> on Mac, Alt+Shift+< and Alt+Shift+> on Windows.
How do I change font weight in Figma?
Choose a weight in the Typography section of the right sidebar, or press ⌥⌘< / ⌥⌘> on Mac and Ctrl+Alt+< / Ctrl+Alt+> on Windows. Which weights you get depends on the font.
What does Auto line height mean in Figma?
Auto uses the default line height stored in the font file. Switch to px or % when you need a consistent value across fonts.
More in Text & fonts
- How to Add Realistic Mock Data in FigmaHow to fill Figma designs with realistic mock data: names, emails, addresses, and AI-written text. Native Figma AI, lorem ipsum plugins, and Mock Master AI.
- Why Are My Fonts Not Showing in Figma?Local fonts missing in Figma? Check the font installer and Chrome's Local network access permission, restart FigmaAgent, then replace missing fonts in the file.
- How Do You Scale Text to Fit a Container in Figma?Dragging a text box in Figma resizes the box, not the type. Press K for the Scale tool to scale text in proportion, or use resizing modes and truncation to fit.
- Why Can't I Edit Text in Figma?Can't edit text in Figma? Check your seat and can edit access, unlock the layer, edit component text through a text property, and fix missing fonts. Fixes here.
- How to Add a Font to FigmaAdd a font to Figma: install the .TTF or .OTF file, restart the desktop app or use the font installer in a browser, or upload it to your account for every file.
- How to Add Bullet Points in Figma TextAdd bullet points in Figma with ⌘⇧8, numbered lists with ⌘⇧7, or type - or 1. then a space. Indent up to five levels with Tab and remove a list with No list.
- How to Curve Text in FigmaCurve text in Figma with the Text on a path tool: hover a vector path, click and type. Drag the blue handle to move the start, or flip text to the other side.
- How to Create Text Styles and Color Styles in FigmaCreate text and color styles in Figma, organise them into folders, edit or delete them, fix styles not showing in other files, and know when to use variables.
- Figma Text Shortcuts: Underline, Bold, Italic and MoreFigma text shortcuts for underline, bold, italic, links, font size, weight, line height, letter spacing and lists on Mac and Windows, plus a fix for stuck caps.
- How to install Figma pluginsFigma plugins don't need installing: open one from the Community or run it inside a file. Steps for Figma Design, Dev Mode, FigJam, Slides, saving and admins.
- Figma plugins not working? How to fix itFigma plugins not loading, missing or greyed out? Check your seat and edit access, org approval, network blocks and cache. A step-by-step checklist that works.