Web Design » Figma » What Is the Difference Between Constraints and Auto Layout in Figma?

What Is the Difference Between Constraints and Auto Layout in Figma?

Last updated on September 28, 2022 @ 8:06 pm

There are two key ways to position elements on a page in Figma: Constraints and Auto Layout. Both methods have their own strengths and weaknesses, so it’s important to understand the difference between them before choosing which one to use.

Constraints are best for simple layouts where elements need to be positioned relative to each other. For example, if you wanted to create a header with a logo on the left and some navigation on the right, you could use constraints to easily position those elements.

Auto Layout is best for more complex layouts where elements need to be positioned relative to each other and also respond to changes in size. For example, if you wanted to create a grid of products that rearranged itself when the window was resized, you would need to use Auto Layout.

PRO TIP: If you are not familiar with Figma, Constraints and Auto Layout may seem like the same thing. However, they are two different features that serve different purposes.

Constraints allow you to control how an object is positioned on the canvas. You can set horizontal and vertical constraints to keep an object in place relative to other objects on the canvas.

Auto Layout is a feature that automatically arranges objects on the canvas based on certain rules that you set. For example, you can use Auto Layout to create a grid of objects or to evenly space out objects.

One key difference between Constraints and Auto Layout is that Constraints allow you to position elements using absolute values (such as “20px from the top of the screen”), while Auto Layout only allows you to position elements using relative values (such as “20% from the top of the screen”). This can make Constraints easier to use for simple layouts, but can also make it more difficult to create complex layouts with Constraints.

Another difference is that Auto Layout constraints are applied automatically when an element is added or moved, while Constraints have to be manually added by the user. This can make Auto Layout faster and easier to use for complex layouts, but can also make it more difficult to understand what’s happening behind the scenes.

So, which one should you use? It depends on your needs.

If you’re creating a simple layout, Constraints may be all you need. But if you’re creating a more complex layout that needs to respond to changes in size or position, Auto Layout may be a better choice.

Kathy McFarland

Kathy McFarland

Devops woman in trade, tech explorer and problem navigator.