How to Add a Font to Figma Design: A Beginner’s Guide

If you’ve ever opened a Figma file and wished you could use a font that perfectly matches your brand identity, you’re not alone. Typography plays a huge role in design, and knowing how to add a font to Figma can instantly boost your projects.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about adding fonts to Figma, from downloading and installing fonts to troubleshooting issues. 

Whether you’re brand new to Figma or a beginner designer expanding your skills, you’ll learn step-by-step how to make your text look exactly the way you envision.

What Are Figma Fonts?

Before diving into the steps, let’s clarify what “Figma fonts” actually mean. Figma offers three main types of fonts:

• Default Fonts: These come preloaded in Figma and include common typefaces like Arial, Roboto, and Times New Roman.

• Google Fonts: Integrated directly into Figma, these fonts are free to use and accessible in both the desktop and browser versions.

• Local Fonts: Fonts installed on your computer. To use these in the browser version of Figma, you’ll need the Figma Font Helper.

By adding your own fonts, you can create unique, consistent, and professional designs that align with your brand or project style.

Read: How to Use Figma Slides

Steps to Add a Font to Figma

Adding a font to Figma is simple and enhances your design flexibility. Follow these steps to get started.

Step 1: Preparing Fonts for Use in Figma

Before you can start using custom typography in Figma, you need to ensure you have the right font files prepared. 

This step is crucial because it guarantees that the fonts you choose will install correctly, work seamlessly in your designs, and maintain a consistent visual identity across all your projects.

• Download the correct font format: Always download your fonts in .OTF (OpenType Font) or .TTF (TrueType Font) formats, as these are fully supported by Figma and most design tools.

• Gather the complete font family: For professional and cohesive designs, it’s best to have the full font family, including regular, bold, italic, and other style variations. This ensures design flexibility and maintains consistency in headings, subheadings, and body text.

• Check licensing requirements: Before using a font, review its license. While many fonts are free for personal use, commercial projects often require a paid license to comply with copyright laws.

• Verify compatibility: Almost all .OTF and .TTF fonts work in Figma, but some web-only fonts might need different formats or alternatives.

Pro Tip: Keep a dedicated “Fonts” folder on your computer. This makes it easier to manage, locate, and back up fonts, streamlining your design workflow.

Check out: How to Use Figma Templates for Your Design Projects

Step 2: Installing Fonts on Your Computer

Once you’ve prepared your font files, the next step is installing them on your computer. This process is quick but slightly different for Windows and Mac users. Installing fonts correctly ensures they appear in Figma’s font list and are ready for use in your designs.

• Installing on Windows: To install a font on Windows, right-click the font file and choose Install or Install for All Users. The font will be added to your system’s font manager, making it available across all compatible applications, including Figma.

• Installing on Mac: For Mac users, simply double-click the font file to open the preview window, then click Install Font. The font will be stored in Font Book, where you can manage and organize all your installed fonts.

• Making Fonts Available in Figma: After installation, restart Figma Desktop or refresh your browser if you are using Figma Web. This step ensures that the new font appears in the font dropdown menu for selection.

Pro Tip: If the font isn’t showing in Figma, verify that it was installed in the correct location. Some installations may require administrative permissions to take effect.

Learn about: How to Use Figma Mockups for WordPress Development

Step 3: Using the Figma Font Helper (Browser Users)

If you prefer working in Figma’s browser version, whether it’s Chrome, Safari, or Edge, you’ll notice that local fonts installed on your computer won’t appear by default. This is because the browser version doesn’t automatically access your system’s font library. To solve this, Figma provides a small yet powerful tool called Figma Font Helper.

• Download the Figma Font Helper: First, visit Figma’s Font Helper download page. To ensure compatibility, select the correct version for your operating system (Windows or Mac).

• Install the application: Once downloaded, follow the installation prompts. The process is quick and similar to installing other desktop applications.

• Keep it running in the background: After installation, ensure the Figma Font Helper runs whenever you work in Figma’s browser version. This background process acts as a secure bridge between your browser and your computer’s font library.

By enabling this connection, you can use any local font installed on your computer directly in your browser-based Figma projects, just like in the desktop app.

Pro Tip: If fonts still don’t show up, restart your browser and check that the Font Helper is active.

Step 4: Adding Fonts to Your Figma Design

With your fonts installed and ready, it’s time to start using them in your Figma projects. This is where your design vision truly comes to life, as the right typography can instantly enhance your layout and branding.

• Select the Text Tool (T): From the Figma toolbar, choose the Text Tool or simply press T on your keyboard. This allows you to create a text element anywhere on your canvas.

• Create a text box: Click anywhere on the canvas to insert a text box. You can type any placeholder text to see how your font looks.

• Choose your font from the dropdown menu: In the properties panel, Navigate to the Font dropdown menu. Scroll through the list and select your newly installed font.

• Customize text settings: Once the font is applied, adjust size, weight, letter spacing, and line height to match your design style. These fine-tuning adjustments help you achieve visual balance.

Using this method, you can apply custom fonts to any text layer in your project, ensuring your typography aligns perfectly with your brand.

Pro Tip: Save your chosen font and settings in a Figma Styles Library for quick access across multiple projects.

Step 5: Managing Your Font Library in Figma

As your collection of fonts grows, managing them well becomes essential. A cluttered or inconsistent font library can slow down your workflow and cause design inconsistencies, especially in collaborative projects. 

By staying organized, you’ll save time and maintain a polished, professional look across all your work.

• Create a favorites list: Highlight your most-used fonts in a dedicated favorites list. This allows you to access them quickly without scrolling through long menus.

• Use naming conventions: When working on shared projects, adopt consistent naming conventions for font styles. For example, label them as “Heading-Bold” or “Body-Regular” to avoid confusion.

• Ensure team-wide consistency: Check that all team members have the same fonts installed on their computers. This prevents missing font warnings and keeps designs looking the same for everyone.

• Clean your fonts folder: Regularly review your fonts folder to remove duplicates and unused typefaces. This reduces clutter and speeds up font selection.

A well-maintained font library not only streamlines your design process but also safeguards brand consistency. Thereby, making your projects look more cohesive and professional.

Explore: How to Use Figma for Product Design

Why Adding Custom Fonts in Figma Matters?

Fonts are more than simple design elements; they are powerful tools that shape how your audience perceives your work. 

The right font choice can instantly set the tone, establish visual hierarchy, and communicate your brand’s personality without saying a word. In Figma, adding custom fonts unlocks a new level of creative freedom.

• Gain more creative control: When you add custom fonts, you’re no longer limited to default or common typefaces. This means you can choose typography that perfectly aligns with your creative vision, whether you’re designing a website, app interface, or marketing asset.

• Ensure brand consistency: Custom fonts allow you to maintain a unified visual style across all platforms and materials. By using the same font in your website, social media graphics, and print materials, you reinforce brand recognition and build trust with your audience.

• Elevate professionalism and appeal: A well-chosen custom font instantly makes your designs look polished and intentional. It signals attention to detail and helps your projects stand out in a competitive landscape.

In short, adding custom fonts to Figma isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about strategically shaping your brand’s identity. Whether you’re creating for a client or building your own brand, custom typography ensures your designs are distinctive, memorable, and visually impactful.

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Troubleshooting Common Font Issues in Figma

Even when fonts are installed correctly, issues can still arise in Figma. These problems may be related to installation errors, compatibility, or collaboration mismatches. Below is a summary table of common issues and their solutions, explained in complete sentences for clarity.

By addressing these issues promptly, you can maintain a smooth and efficient workflow without compromising design quality.

Bonus: Typography Tips for Beginners

Typography is more than just choosing a font; it’s about creating readable, visually balanced designs that enhance your message. For beginners, understanding a few basic principles can instantly improve the quality and impact of your Figma projects.

• Limit your font choices: Use no more than two to three typefaces in a single design. Too many fonts can create visual clutter and distract from your content.

• Pair fonts thoughtfully: Combine contrasting fonts, such as a bold, decorative heading font with a clean, simple body font, to create visual interest while keeping text readable.

• Pay attention to hierarchy: Use font size, weight, and spacing to guide the reader’s eye. Larger and bolder text should highlight key headings, while smaller, lighter text works for body content.

• Maintain consistent spacing: For a clean, professional look, ensure consistent line height and letter spacing. Proper spacing improves readability, especially in longer text blocks.

• Consider readability on all devices: Always check how your typography appears on different screen sizes. A font that looks perfect on a desktop might be too small or cramped on a mobile.

By applying these tips, you’ll make your typography not only attractive but also effective in conveying your design’s message.

Final Thoughts

Adding a font to Figma isn’t complicated, but it’s a game-changer for your design work. Whether you’re using Figma’s desktop app or working in the browser with the Font Helper, the process takes just a few minutes.

By preparing your fonts, installing them correctly, and managing them well, you’ll have a typography toolkit that makes your designs stand out and your workflow smoother.

Now that you know how to add fonts to Figma, try experimenting with different styles and see how they transform your projects. Your brand’s perfect font combination might just be a download away.

FAQs on Adding Fonts to Figma

Regina Patil

Hey there! I'm Regina, an SEO Content Writer, living in Mumbai, India. I've been navigating the web design, Figma, and WordPress industry for 10 years. I have a deep passion for words, encapsulated by the quote, "In every word, there's a universe waiting to be explored." My role involves writing various content formats, including website content, SEO articles, and in-depth blog posts. I also craft social media posts and have a strong affinity for WordPress.

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