How to Make Figma Less Laggy and Faster

Open a small, simple file. If it's smooth and your main file lags, the file is the problem, and the memory fixes below apply. If every file lags, start with the browser and app checks further down. The memory meter helps here too. If the file sits near the top of its 2GB, memory is the likely cause, and moving to a faster computer won't fix it. If the file uses a small fraction of it, look at the browser, the app, or the machine instead.

Figma gives each file 2GB of memory per browser tab, on every plan, and the desktop app has the same limit. Files near the limit tend to slow down. At 90% a red alert appears in the sidebar that you can't dismiss. At 100% the file locks.

A locked file isn't lost. When editors reload it in Chrome 83+, Firefox 89+, Safari 15.2+ or Edge 93+, Figma offers recovery mode. All pages load, the Manage memory window opens, and you delete content until usage is below 90%, which returns the file to normal.

Delete hidden layers

Hidden layers still take memory. A common pattern is a component with several hidden icons or states that get switched on in instances. Figma recommends using boolean component properties instead, so the layer is shown or hidden through a property rather than duplicated. See Figma component properties.

Cut unused variants

Each variant has its own set of layers. If a button set has sizes, states and icon options multiplied together, the count grows fast. Delete combinations the product doesn't use, and move rarely used ones to a separate file.

Split big pages and libraries

Old explorations, archived flows and full design systems in one file all add up. Move them into their own files and link to them. For libraries, splitting (for example icons in one file, components in another) keeps each one lighter for everyone who uses it.

Compress images and import SVGs in batches

Figma already scales images over 4096px down on the longest side, but a page of full-resolution photos is still heavy. Compress photos before placing them. When importing many SVGs, bring them in a few at a time rather than all at once.

Figma's troubleshooting checklist suggests these when everything is slow:

• Close Figma tabs you aren't using.
• Force-quit the browser or desktop app and open the file in a new window.
• Turn off multiplayer cursors, layout guides and effects while you work in a heavy file.
• Make sure graphics acceleration is on, since Figma draws with WebGL. See the Figma WebGL fix.
• In the desktop app, reset the cache with Help > Troubleshooting > Reset Figma and Restart. More in how to clear the Figma cache.

If Figma won't load at all, go to Figma not working for the full checklist.