Using Variables in Figma Components

Scope: applying variables in Figma components so shared styles update together.

Failure if ignored: components hardcode values and fall out of sync.

Applying variables to components

Color variables

Apply color variables to component fills and strokes:

1. Select component layer
2. Open fill/stroke panel
3. Click variable icon
4. Select color variable
5. Verify variable applies correctly

Spacing variables

Apply spacing variables to component padding and gaps:

1. Select component frame
2. Open auto layout settings
3. Set padding using spacing variable
4. Set gap using spacing variable
5. Verify spacing applies correctly

Typography variables

Apply typography variables to text layers:

1. Select text layer
2. Open text style settings
3. Set font family using typography variable
4. Set font size using typography variable
5. Set font weight using typography variable

Component variable patterns

Pattern 1: Direct variable usage

Use semantic variables directly in components:

• Button background: color/surface/brand
• Button text: color/text/on-brand
• Button padding: spacing/component/button/padding

Pattern 2: Component-specific variables

Use component-specific variables:

• Button background: component/button/color/background/default
• Button text: component/button/color/text/default
• Button padding: component/button/spacing/padding

Pattern 3: Variable overrides

Allow variable overrides for component variants:

• Default: component/button/color/background/default
• Hover: component/button/color/background/hover
• Disabled: component/button/color/background/disabled

Examples

Button component

Button component using variables:

• Background: color/surface/brand
• Text: color/text/on-brand
• Padding: spacing/component/button/padding
• Border radius: radius/component/button

Input component

Input component using variables:

• Border: color/border/default
• Border focus: color/border/focus
• Padding: spacing/component/input/padding
• Text: color/text/primary

Card component

Card component using variables:

• Background: color/surface/default
• Border: color/border/default
• Padding: spacing/component/card/padding
• Shadow: shadow/card

Implementation rules

1. Use semantic variables in components
2. Create component-specific variables when needed
3. Use variable overrides for variants
4. Document variable usage
5. Test variable changes

Failure modes

If component variables are wrong:

• Hardcoded values in components
• Inconsistent styling
• Maintenance burden
• No customization options

Out of scope

• Component creation (see Figma docs)
• Variable creation (see workflow docs)
• Component library structure (separate concern)