On this page
| Action | Mac | Windows |
|---|---|---|
| Outline stroke | Mac⌥⌘O | WindowsCtrlAltO |
| Flatten | Mac⌥⇧F | WindowsAltShiftF |
| Outline mode (view only) | Mac⌘⇧O | WindowsCtrlShiftO |
| Union | Mac⌥⇧U | WindowsAltShiftU |
| Undo | Mac⌘Z | WindowsCtrlZ |
When to outline a stroke
Figma's help page lists four reasons: removing or extending half-dashes, building custom shapes you then edit in vector edit mode, combining several paths into one object, and scaling a vector so the line thickness scales with it. The last one matters for icons. A stroked icon resized from 24px to 48px keeps its 2px stroke, while an outlined one gets thicker in proportion. (The Scale tool, K, also scales strokes if you'd rather not outline.)
After outlining, the old stroke colour sits in the Fill section. That's also the answer to "how do I fill in a vector": once it's a filled shape, you colour it with a fill like any rectangle. Double-click it to edit the points in vector edit mode.
Outline stroke vs Outline mode
These two get mixed up because their shortcuts differ by one key. Outline mode (⌘⇧O / Ctrl+Shift+O) is a view toggle that shows layers as outlines only. It changes nothing in the file. Outline stroke (⌥⌘O / Ctrl+Alt+O) edits the selected layer.
If your shortcuts feel swapped, check Main menu → Preferences → Use old shortcuts for outlines. With it on, Outline stroke moves to ⇧⌘O / Ctrl+Shift+O and the outline view shortcut changes too.
Flatten: merge shapes into one vector
Outline stroke only converts strokes. To merge several shapes into a single vector layer, use Flatten: ⌥⇧F / Alt+Shift+F, or right-click → Flatten. Many tutorials still list ⌘E, which isn't Figma's flatten shortcut. Flatten works on vectors, text, frames and sections. On a frame or section it merges the children and removes the container. It's destructive too, so Undo is the only way to reverse it.
A clean icon workflow is: outline the strokes, Union the pieces (⌥⇧U / Alt+Shift+U) so overlaps merge, then Flatten once you're happy. Union keeps things editable. Flatten locks it in. The boolean operations guide explains Union, Subtract, Intersect and Exclude.
Outlined shapes also make good custom masks. See how to mask in Figma for the layer order rules.
Ranked listThe best Figma plugins for vectorizing images and SVG in 2026Frequently asked questions
What is the outline stroke shortcut in Figma?
Option+Cmd+O on Mac and Ctrl+Alt+O on Windows. If you turned on Use old shortcuts for outlines in Preferences, it's Shift+Cmd+O / Ctrl+Shift+O instead.
What is the flatten shortcut in Figma?
Option+Shift+F on Mac and Alt+Shift+F on Windows. You can also right-click and choose Flatten. Cmd+E is not Figma's flatten shortcut.
Can you undo outline stroke in Figma?
Only with Undo or by restoring an earlier version from version history. Outlining is destructive, so the stroke settings are gone once it's applied.
What's the union shortcut in Figma?
Option+Shift+U on Mac and Alt+Shift+U on Windows. It merges the selected shapes into a boolean group that stays editable.
More in Images, masks & shapes
- How to Make a Seamless Pattern in FigmaMake a seamless pattern in Figma: pick a tile size, wrap shapes that cross an edge to the opposite side, preview with a pattern fill, and generate grids faster.
- How to Mask in Figma (and Why Use as Mask Isn't Working)Mask in Figma with Ctrl+Cmd+M: put the shape below the content, select both, apply. Why Use as mask fails, how to edit or remove a mask, and inverse masks.
- How to Remove the Background From an Image in FigmaRemove an image background in Figma with the Remove background AI action, a free plugin, or a pen-tool mask. Credit costs, plan limits and why it isn't working.
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- Figma Boolean Operations: How Union, Subtract, Intersect and Exclude WorkUnion, Subtract, Intersect and Exclude in Figma: the Alt+Shift shortcuts, which layer sets the style, why booleans fail on frames, and how to undo a union.
- How to Add an Image in Figma (and Replace It Later)Add images in Figma with Shift+Cmd+K, drag and drop or the fill picker. How to put an image in a shape, replace it, and choose Fill, Fit, Crop or Tile mode.
- Why Isn't the Glass Effect or Background Blur Working in Figma?Glass and background blur in Figma don't show on a layer with a 100% opacity fill. Fix it, build glassmorphism, and add grain with the Noise and Texture effect.
- How to add icons in FigmaAdd icons in Figma with an icon plugin, a shared icon library, or by pasting SVG code, which imports as editable vectors. Plus how to recolour and export icons.
- How to Swap an Instance in FigmaSwap a Figma instance from the Instance menu, with Quick insert (Shift+I) or by Alt-dragging a component onto it. Plus go to main, reset and restore shortcuts.
- 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.