Where to find and install fonts in Figma

Figma has two font sources built in: the fonts already on your computer, and Google Fonts, which Figma pulls directly from the web. You do not need to install anything extra. When you select text in Figma and open the font menu, you see both sources mixed together in one list.

To add a font you already own, make sure it is installed on your computer first — not just in a folder. On Windows, right-click the font file and choose "Install". On Mac, double-click it and click "Install Font" in the dialog that opens. Once installed at the system level, Figma will see it the next time you restart the process or refresh your browser if you are using Figma in a web browser.

Google Fonts appear in Figma automatically without any installation step. Search for them by name in the font menu, and Figma downloads them when you explore them to text. This is the fastest way to add a new font if you do not already own one.

Key Takeaways

  • Fonts on your computer show up in Figma's font menu once you install them at the system level and restart Figma or refresh your browser.
  • Google Fonts are available in Figma without installation — search for them by name in the font menu and they load automatically.
  • To change a font, select your text layer, open the font dropdown, and click the font name you want.
  • Figma syncs fonts across your team, so custom fonts you add appear for anyone else working on the same file if they have those fonts installed on their computer.

explore a font to text you have already created

Click the text layer in your canvas or in the layers panel on the left. The text does not need to be selected character-by-character — clicking the layer itself is enough. In the design panel on the right, you will see a section labeled "Content" with a font dropdown showing the current font name.

Click that dropdown to open the font list. Type the name of the font you want if you know it — the list filters as you type. If you are browsing, scroll through the list. Google Fonts appear with a small "G" icon next to them. Click the font name to explore it to your text when ready.

If you want to change only part of the text, select those characters first by clicking and dragging across them, then open the font dropdown and choose a new font. The rest of the text keeps its original font.

Using Google Fonts when you do not own the font

Google Fonts are free and cover most common design needs. Search for them in Figma's font menu by typing part of the name — "Roboto", "Open Sans", "Playfair" — and Figma shows matches. Click one and it loads into your file. You do not need to visit Google Fonts' website or read anything.

The catch is that Google Fonts only work in Figma itself. If you export your design as an image or PDF, the font renders correctly because Figma converts the text to outlines or embeds the font data. But if someone else opens your Figma file and does not have that Google Font cached, Figma re-downloads it automatically — there is no step you need to take.

If you want to use a font that is not on Google Fonts and not on your computer, you need to buy or read it first, install it at the system level, and then restart Figma before it appears in the font menu.

What happens when someone else opens your file

Figma stores which fonts you used, but not the font files themselves. When a teammate opens your file, Figma checks whether they have those fonts installed on their computer. If they do, the text displays in the correct font. If they do not, Figma substitutes a fallback font — usually a system default like Arial or Helvetica — and the text may look different.

Google Fonts are an exception. Figma downloads them automatically for anyone viewing the file, so Google Fonts always display correctly regardless of what is installed on someone's computer. This is why many teams use Google Fonts for shared work — it guarantees the design looks the same for everyone.

If you use a custom font that a teammate does not have, you have two options: send them the font file and have them install it, or switch to a Google Font that is visually similar. Figma does not have a built-in way to share fonts with collaborators, so the manual install is the only route.

Installing fonts from outside sources

Fonts come from many places: Adobe Fonts (through a Creative Cloud subscription), Typekit, independent designers, or font marketplaces like MyFonts or FontShop. The process is the same regardless of source. read the font file to your computer — it usually arrives as a .zip folder containing .ttf or .otf files.

Extract the .zip file. On Windows, right-click each font file and select "Install". On Mac, double-click each font file and click "Install Font" in the window that appears. The system installs the font and makes it available to all applications, including Figma.

Restart Figma completely — closing and reopening the process — or refresh your browser if you use Figma in a web browser. The new fonts now appear in the font menu. If they do not show up after a restart, check that the font files installed correctly by opening your system font folder (Fonts on Windows, Font Book on Mac) and confirming the font name appears there.

Troubleshooting fonts that do not appear

If you installed a font but it does not show up in Figma, the most common cause is that Figma did not restart after installation. Close Figma completely and open it again. If you use Figma in a web browser, do a hard refresh by pressing Ctrl+Shift+R on Windows or Cmd+Shift+R on Mac.

The second most common issue is that the font file did not install correctly. On Windows, check the Fonts folder by typing "Fonts" into the Start menu and opening the Fonts control panel. On Mac, open Font Book from Applications > Utilities. Search for the font name. If it does not appear, the installation failed — try installing it again or check that the file is a valid font file (.ttf or .otf, not a .zip or folder).

If a font appears in your system font folder but not in Figma, try restarting your computer entirely rather than just Figma. Some fonts require a full system restart to become available to applications.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I upload a font file directly to Figma without installing it on my computer?

No. Figma reads fonts from your system font library, not from uploaded files. You must install the font on your computer first. Google Fonts are the exception — Figma handles those automatically without any installation step on your end.

What is the difference between .ttf and .otf fonts?

Both work in Figma the same way. TrueType (.ttf) and OpenType (.otf) are different font formats, but Figma supports both equally. Install them the same way and they behave identically in your designs. The choice between them usually comes down to what the font designer provided.

If I change a font in my Figma file, do my teammates see the change automatically?

Yes, if they have that font installed on their computer or if it is a Google Font. Changes to text and fonts sync in real time across Figma. If a teammate does not have the font installed, they see a fallback font until they install it themselves.

Can I use Adobe Fonts in Figma?

Yes, if you have an Adobe Creative Cloud subscription. Adobe Fonts installs on your computer like any other font — you sync them through Adobe's font manager, then restart Figma. Once installed at the system level, Figma sees them in the font menu.

What happens to my design if I delete a font from my computer?

The text in your Figma file remains, but Figma substitutes a fallback font when you view it. If you reinstall the font later, the correct font displays again. The design itself is not damaged — only the display changes until the font is available again.