How to make a grid in Figma

This guide walks you through the process of adding and customizing grid lines in Figma, ensuring a well-organized design layout. Follow the steps below to efficiently add grid lines to your Figma projects.

Step 1

Lets begin learning - 'How to add gridlines in Figma'. Open your Figma file. Select the frame option to create a new frame.

Step 2

If you haven't created a frame yet, ensure you create one and set its dimensions accordingly. Navigate to the layer grid settings.

Step 3

In the Navigate to the layer grid settings. In the grid settings, choose the grid type you prefer, such as a square grid, and customize it to your needs.

Step 4

Adjust the columns and rows within the grid settings to suit your design requirements.

Step 5

After setting the number of rows and columns, proceed to finalize your grid customization.

Step 6

Click 'Create Style' to save your grid as a file with grid settings remaining intact. Save it with the name of a particular style - so that it makes sense for the project and you can use it in future.

So now you can successfully add gridlines in any Figma file.

Pro tips to make a grid in Figma

1. Use Layout Grids for Consistency:
   Select the frame or artboard you want to add gridlines to. In the right-hand panel, under the Layout Grid section, click the + icon to add a grid. This ensures consistency across your design and helps align elements precisely.

2. Customize Grid Type:
   Figma allows you to choose between Grid, Columns, and Rows for your layout. Select Grid for a uniform grid, Columns for column-based layout, or Rows for a horizontal structure. Customize the spacing, count, and margin according to your needs.

3. Set Up Multiple Grids:
   You can add multiple grids to a single frame. Use different grid types to work on different aspects of your design, such as using a column grid for text and a standard grid for overall alignment.

4. Use Grid for Responsive Design:
   For responsive web or mobile design, use a column grid and adjust the grid’s width and gutter to fit different screen sizes. This helps maintain proportion and readability on multiple devices.

5. Toggle Grid Visibility:
   Toggle the visibility of grids by pressing Shift + G. This allows you to view and hide grids quickly without changing the design.

Common pitfalls and how to avoid them for adding gridlines in Figma

1. Incorrect Grid Spacing:
   Fix: Double-check your grid settings and ensure the spacing and columns/rows are appropriate for your design. Use consistent measurements to maintain alignment.

2. Overcrowding the Frame with Grids:
   Fix: Avoid adding too many grids or using grids that don't suit the content. Stick to one grid style (e.g., columns) unless you have a specific need for different grids.

3. Misaligned Design Elements:
   Fix: Use the grid to align your elements, but ensure your design elements are fully aligned with the grid. Zoom in to make sure everything snaps correctly to the grid lines.

4. Unclear Layout for Viewers:
   Fix: If you're designing for others to view, ensure your grids don't clutter the design. Use grids for guidance only and turn them off for the final export.

5. Grid Visibility Confusion:
   Fix: If grids are too distracting, use the Opacity slider in the Layout Grids panel to reduce the grid’s visibility while keeping them useful for alignment.

Common FAQs for adding gridlines in Figma

1. Can I add gridlines to a specific part of my design, like an image?
   Grids are applied to frames and artboards in Figma. To focus the grid on a specific part, create a frame around the area you want and apply the grid to that frame.

2. How do I customize the grid size?
   You can customize the grid size, spacing, and gutter by adjusting the values in the Layout Grids section in the right-hand panel when you have a frame selected.

3. How do I hide the gridlines when presenting or exporting?
   Simply toggle the gridlines off by pressing Shift + G or unchecking the Layout Grids option in the right-hand panel to remove them from the view and export.

4. Are gridlines printable in Figma?
   No, gridlines are not printed or exported by default. You can toggle their visibility off before exporting your design to ensure they don't appear in the final output.

5. Can I use gridlines for mobile or web design?
   Yes, gridlines are extremely useful for web and mobile design. You can use column grids to align elements, ensuring that your design adapts well across different screen sizes.
   This is the step by step guide for adding gridlines in Figma.