Figma Auto Layout (beginner guide)

Learn Figma’s flexbox-like system for responsive design. This is the single most important skill for modern Figma work. Here’s how to do it in Figma on macOS, step by step — part of the free Figma beginner curriculum.

Lesson 4 of the Figma curriculum. Before this: Layers Panel and Selection. Next up: Components and Instances.

What you’ll do

• Select a frame and add auto layout with Shift A
• Understand Direction: Vertical, Horizontal, Grid (and Wrap for Horizontal)
• Set Spacing between items (gap) and Padding (top, right, bottom, left)
• Use the 9-point alignment grid to align children
• Understand the three resize modes per layer: Hug contents, Fill container, Fixed
• Recognize that Fill container only works if the parent has room — the parent must be Fill or Fixed, not Hug
• Remove auto layout with Option Shift A
• Try “Suggest auto layout” (Control Shift A) on a messy frame

Do it hands-free with Skilly

Reading steps is one thing; doing them while the menus are in front of you is another. Skilly is a voice-first tutor for macOS: you ask out loud — “where’s the auto panel?” — and it answers while pointing at the exact button, watching your actual Figma window. It’s the same Figma curriculum these lessons come from, taught live instead of read. 15-minute trial, no card.

Keep going

This is one stage of the full Figma beginner curriculum. Previous: Layers Panel and Selection. Continue with Components and Instances.