Figma Shortcuts: Boost Your Design Workflow
Figma has become one of the most popular design tools for UI/UX designers, thanks to its collaborative features and powerful capabilities. However, mastering Figma shortcuts can significantly enhance your productivity, allowing you to work faster and more efficiently.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover all the essential Figma shortcuts—from basic navigation to advanced prototyping—so you can streamline your workflow and become a Figma power user.
Table of Contents
Why Learn Figma Shortcuts?
Before diving into the shortcuts, let’s understand why they matter:
✅ Speed up your workflow – Reduce repetitive mouse clicks.
✅ Improve efficiency – Execute commands instantly.
✅ Enhance precision – Navigate and manipulate objects with ease.
✅ Professional edge – Work like an expert designer.
Essential Figma Shortcuts for Beginners
General Shortcuts
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
Ctrl + N (Win) / Cmd + N (Mac) | New file |
Ctrl + O (Win) / Cmd + O (Mac) | Open file |
Ctrl + S (Win) / Cmd + S (Mac) | Save file |
Ctrl + Shift + K (Win/Mac) | Toggle UI (hide/show panels) |
Ctrl + \ (Win/Mac) | Toggle left sidebar |
Shift + \ (Win/Mac) | Toggle right sidebar |
Navigation Shortcuts
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
Space + Drag | Pan around canvas |
Shift + 1 | Zoom to fit screen |
Shift + 2 | Zoom to selection |
+ / - | Zoom in/out |
Z + Click | Zoom in at cursor |
Z + Alt + Click (Win) / Z + Opt + Click (Mac) | Zoom out at cursor |
Selection & Movement
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
V | Move tool |
H | Hand tool |
Ctrl + A (Win) / Cmd + A (Mac) | Select all |
Shift + Click | Add to selection |
Alt + Drag (Win) / Opt + Drag (Mac) | Duplicate object |
Arrow Keys | Nudge selection (1px) |
Shift + Arrow Keys | Nudge selection (10px) |
Advanced Figma Shortcuts for Power Users
Design & Editing Shortcuts
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
F | Frame tool |
R | Rectangle tool |
O | Ellipse tool |
T | Text tool |
P | Pen tool |
Shift + P | Pencil tool |
L | Line tool |
Ctrl + G (Win) / Cmd + G (Mac) | Group selection |
Ctrl + Shift + G (Win/Mac) | Ungroup selection |
Ctrl + ] / Cmd + ] | Bring forward |
Ctrl + [ / Cmd + [ | Send backward |
Ctrl + Shift + ] / Cmd + Shift + ] | Bring to front |
Ctrl + Shift + [ / Cmd + Shift + [ | Send to back |
Alignment & Distribution
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
Alt + W (Win) / Opt + W (Mac) | Align left |
Alt + A (Win) / Opt + A (Mac) | Align center |
Alt + D (Win) / Opt + D (Mac) | Align right |
Alt + Q (Win) / Opt + Q (Mac) | Align top |
Alt + S (Win) / Opt + S (Mac) | Align middle |
Alt + X (Win) / Opt + X (Mac) | Align bottom |
Typography & Text Editing
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
Ctrl + B (Win) / Cmd + B (Mac) | Bold text |
Ctrl + I (Win) / Cmd + I (Mac) | Italic text |
Ctrl + U (Win) / Cmd + U (Mac) | Underline text |
Ctrl + Shift + < / > | Decrease/Increase font size |
Alt + Arrow Keys (Win) / Opt + Arrow Keys (Mac) | Adjust letter spacing |
Prototyping & Developer Handoff Shortcuts
Prototyping Mode
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
Ctrl + Enter (Win) / Cmd + Enter (Mac) | Enter prototype mode |
Shift + E | Toggle presentation mode |
Ctrl + Alt + P (Win) / Cmd + Opt + P (Mac) | Play prototype |
Inspect Mode (Developer Handoff)
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
Ctrl + Shift + I (Win/Mac) | Open Inspect panel |
Alt + Click (Win) / Opt + Click (Mac) | Measure distances |
Bonus: Customizing Figma Shortcuts
Figma allows you to customize shortcuts for a personalized workflow:
- Go to Menu > Preferences > Keyboard Shortcuts.
- Search for a command.
- Assign a new shortcut.
Pro Tips for Mastering Figma Shortcuts
✔ Practice daily – Muscle memory takes time.
✔ Print a cheat sheet – Keep shortcuts visible.
✔ Combine shortcuts – E.g., Alt + Drag to duplicate while moving.
✔ Use plugins – Some plugins enhance shortcut efficiency.
Learning Figma shortcuts is a game-changer for designers. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, these hotkeys will save you hours of work and make your design process smoother.
FAQs
How do I reset Figma shortcuts to default?
Go to Preferences > Keyboard Shortcuts > Reset to Default.
Are Figma shortcuts the same on Mac and Windows?
Mostly, but replace Ctrl with Cmd and Alt with Opt on Mac.
Can I use shortcuts in Figma’s browser version?
Yes, all shortcuts work in both the desktop and web versions.