Warning! Figma Line Height Crisis: Here's How To Fix It NOW!

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Post on Mar 09, 2025

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Warning! Figma Line Height Crisis: Here's How to Fix It NOW!

Are you staring at your meticulously crafted Figma design, only to find the text looking cramped, illegible, or just plain ugly? You're not alone. Many Figma users fall victim to the dreaded line height crisis. But fear not! This comprehensive guide will diagnose the problem and provide solutions to restore harmony to your typography.

Understanding the Figma Line Height Problem

Line height, also known as leading, is the vertical space between lines of text. In Figma, an improperly set line height can lead to several issues:

• Poor Readability: Cramped lines make text difficult to read, leading to user frustration and potentially impacting the effectiveness of your design.
• Inconsistent Branding: Inconsistent line heights across your design can make it look unprofessional and disjointed.
• Accessibility Issues: Insufficient line height can severely hinder accessibility for users with visual impairments.

Common Culprits Behind the Figma Line Height Crisis

• Default Settings: Figma's default line height settings might not be optimal for all text styles and font sizes.
• Incorrect Font Selection: Certain fonts require more or less line height than others to ensure readability.
• Overlooked Text Styles: Failing to define and maintain consistent line height across your text styles is a common mistake.
• Mixing Units: Inconsistent use of pixels, ems, or percentages can lead to unpredictable and inconsistent line height results.

How to Fix Your Figma Line Height Issues: A Step-by-Step Guide

Here's a practical guide to resolving your line height woes and achieving typographic perfection:

1. Embrace the Power of Text Styles

Text Styles are your best friend in Figma. Create and meticulously manage text styles for each heading, body copy, caption, etc. This ensures consistency across your design and simplifies future edits. Always specify the line height within your text style definition.

2. Choose the Right Line Height for Your Font & Size

There's no magic number; it depends on your font and font size. A good starting point is to experiment with values between 1.2 and 1.5 times the font size. For example, if your font size is 16px, a line height of 19-24px might be suitable. Readability should be your ultimate guide!

3. Leverage the Line Height Property in Figma

Don't rely on default values! Find the line height property in the text style settings panel (or the text layer properties) and adjust it precisely.

4. Understand the Different Line Height Units

Figma allows you to set line height using different units:

• Pixels (px): Provides precise control, but requires recalculation for different font sizes.
• Em (em): A relative unit based on the font size. This is generally preferred for its scalability and responsiveness.
• Percentage (%): Another relative unit, but it scales relative to the font size of the parent element.

Choose the unit that best suits your design needs and consistency goals.

5. Test and Refine Iteratively

After making changes, zoom out and view your design at different screen sizes. Does the text still look good? Is it easy to read? Iteratively refine your line height until you achieve optimal readability and visual appeal.

6. Consider Accessibility Guidelines

Ensure sufficient line height to meet accessibility standards. The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) recommend sufficient spacing between lines to improve readability for people with visual impairments.

Prevent Future Line Height Crises!

• Establish a Consistent Line Height System: Create a style guide that defines your preferred line height for various text sizes and fonts.
• Regular Audits: Periodically review your designs to ensure your line height remains consistent and effective.
• Collaboration: Communicate line height preferences with team members to maintain consistent design language.

By following these steps, you can avoid future Figma line height crises and create designs that are both visually appealing and incredibly readable. Remember: a little attention to detail in your typography can go a long way!