How to Mask in Figma (and Why Use as Mask Isn't Working)

A mask is a layer whose shape decides which parts of the layers above it stay visible. Any layer can be a mask: a rectangle, an ellipse, a vector path, a text layer, a group, or an image with transparency. Masking text over a photo is a common way to get photo-filled lettering.

Figma has three mask types, set in the Mask section of the right sidebar:

• Alpha (the default) uses the mask's transparency. A gradient or semi-transparent fill gives you a soft fade.
• Vector uses only the outline of the shape and ignores its transparency, so the edge is hard.
• Luminance uses brightness. Brighter areas show more of the content, and pure black (#000) shows nothing.

Work through these causes in order. The first two cover most of the forum threads on this.

1. The mask shape is on top. Figma masks the layers above the mask, so a shape sitting over the photo either hides it or masks nothing useful. Drag the shape below the content in the Layers panel and apply the mask again.
2. A frame with Clip content is involved. Figma's own page notes that masking stops at a frame or component with clip content on, and on the forum this is the usual reason a frame or component won't mask. Turn off Clip content on the frame, or select the layers and group them (⌘G / Ctrl+G) before masking.
3. The content isn't inside the mask group. Only layers in the mask group get clipped. If you masked with just the shape selected, drag the content into the group in the Layers panel, above the mask layer.
4. The shortcut does nothing. Figma's default shortcuts assume a US QWERTY layout. If your system uses another layout, set the matching one in Main menu → Preferences → Keyboard layout, or use More options → Use as mask in the sidebar. The shortcuts not working guide covers this in more detail.
5. The mask type hides everything. A Luminance mask with a dark fill shows almost nothing. Switch to Alpha, or lighten the mask fill.

Open the mask group in the Layers panel and select the mask layer, which is the bottom one. You can move it, resize it or double-click it to edit its vector points. The masked content stays where it is, because masks and masked layers move independently. To reposition the photo inside the shape instead, select the image layer and drag it.

To add another layer to an existing mask, drag it into the mask group in the Layers panel, above the mask layer.

Select the mask layer and press ⌃⌘M / Ctrl+Alt+M again, or right-click the mask and choose Remove mask. The layers stay in place and become fully visible.

Figma has no inverse mask toggle, and the forum thread asking for one has close to 39k views. Two workarounds do the job:

• Subtract boolean. Put the shape you want to cut out on top of the shape you want to keep, select both and press ⌥⇧S / Alt+Shift+S. The bottom layer keeps its style and the top one becomes a hole. Use the result as a normal mask. See Figma boolean operations for the rules.
• Luminance mask. Make the mask white where content should show and black where it should disappear, for example a white rectangle with a black circle on top, grouped. Set the mask type to Luminance.

If all you need is a rectangular trim of one photo, cropping is quicker and doesn't add a group. Cropping an image in Figma is non-destructive and keeps the image as a single layer. Reach for a mask when the shape is round, custom, or text, or when several layers need clipping to the same outline. To cut a subject out of its background, a traced mask works, but the remove background guide covers faster options.