How Do You Use the Ruler in Figma?

The ruler in Figma is a powerful tool that allows you to precisely measure and align elements in your design. Whether you're designing a website, mobile app, or any other digital interface, the ruler can greatly improve your workflow by helping you create pixel-perfect designs.

Using the Ruler

Once you have Figma open and your design file ready, you can find the ruler at the top and left sides of the canvas. The horizontal ruler is located at the top, while the vertical ruler is on the left side.

By default, the measurements on the ruler are displayed in pixels. However, you can change the units by clicking on the unit dropdown menu next to each ruler.

Measuring Elements

To measure an element in your design, simply click and drag from either of the rulers to create a measurement line. As you drag, Figma will display both the width and height of the selected element in real-time.

You can also measure distances between different elements by dragging from one element to another. This is particularly useful when aligning objects or ensuring consistent spacing between various UI components.

Aligning Elements

In addition to measuring, the ruler also provides helpful alignment guides to ensure your design elements are properly aligned. These guides appear as blue lines when you move an element close to another one.

To align elements horizontally or vertically, simply move them until their edges align with these guides. You'll notice that Figma automatically snaps objects into place when they are aligned correctly.

Using Guides

If you require more precise alignment or want to create custom guides for specific elements, Figma allows you to do so using its guide feature.

Create Horizontal Guides

To create a horizontal guide, simply click on the top ruler and drag it down to the desired position. Release the mouse button, and a blue guide will appear, helping you align elements horizontally.

Create Vertical Guides

Similarly, to create a vertical guide, click on the left ruler and drag it towards the right until it reaches your desired position. A blue guide will then appear on the canvas to assist with vertical alignment.

Conclusion

The ruler in Figma is an essential tool for precision design work. By using it effectively, you can measure and align elements accurately, resulting in cleaner and more professional-looking designs. The ability to create custom guides further enhances your control over alignment. So next time you're working with Figma, make sure to leverage the power of the ruler!