How to Export Code in Figma

Lee Stanton September 9, 2021

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One of Figma’s best features is that it allows you to quickly transfer the designs you make with it into code. If you’re an app developer or work with designers, this is a valuable skill to learn. With the help of built-in tools and numerous plugins, Figma allows you to export your design to various platforms.

If you want to learn more about converting your Figma design to code, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll discuss how to export code in Figma and what tools you’ll need to use.

How to Export Code in Figma on a Windows PC

If you’re a Windows user and want to export code in Figma, you’ll be happy to know you can use numerous options.

Figma Inspect

One of the methods you can use to export code in Figma is Figma Inspect. This feature allows you to easily convert your designs to Android, iOS, or Web code. Since it’s built-in, you don’t have to install any plugins or third-party apps.

Here’s how to use it:

Select the elements you’re interested in and go to the Inspect tab.
Under the “Code” section, select the code you want to export (CSS for Web, Swift for iOS, or XML for Android).

The tool will generate the code depending on the option you chose, and then you can export it. Although this is a great tool, it has some limitations. Namely, you can’t export SVG to HTML. For that, you’ll need to use a plugin.

Figma Plugins

Figma features hundreds of useful plugins. We’ll mention a few that you can use to export your design to HTML.

Figma to HTML

The plugin enables you to convert your design into HTML or CSS, depending on your needs. Follow the steps below to install the plugin and export code:

Access the main menu by pressing the icon at the top-left corner.
Press “Plugins.”
Press “Browse Plugins in Community.”
Type “Figma to HTML” and select “Plugins” at the top.
Press “Install.”
Go back to your design and select the desired elements.
Go back to the main menu, select “Plugins,” and then select “Figma to HTML.”
Choose HTML or CSS.
Press “Copy” or “Download,” depending on your needs.

Anima for Figma

Another helpful plugin is Anima for Figma. With this plugin, you can convert your design to HTML, CSS, React, and Vue. Follow these steps to use the plugin:

Open the main menu by selecting the top-left icon.
Press “Plugins.”
Select “Browse Plugins in Community.”
Type “Anima for Figma.”
Press “Install.”
Select the elements you want to export.
Open the main menu, press “Plugins,” and select “Anima for Figma.” Sign up if you don’t have an account.
Choose the code type and press “Export Code.”

How to Export Code in Figma on a Mac

Exporting your design to code on a Mac device can be done in several ways.

Figma Inspect

This built-in tool allows you to inspect and export code and other values for your designs. With Figma Inspect, you can choose among three code options: Android, iOS, or Web (CSS only).

Follow the steps below to use Figma Inspect on a Mac:

Select the elements you want to export.
Open the “Inspect” tab on the right.
Choose among CSS, iOS, or Android.
Copy your code.

If you’re only interested in CSS, iOS, and Android, this is an excellent tool to use. However, if you want to export your design to HTML, you’ll need to use a different method.

Figma Plugins

If you want to convert your designs into HTML, Figma offers dozens of plugins that serve this purpose. The installation process is simple. We’ll list a few of the most popular ones.

Figma to HTML

This plugin allows you to convert your design to CSS or HTML. Here’s how to install it:

Select the top-left icon to open the main menu.
Press “Plugins.”
Select “Browse Plugins in Community.”
Type “Figma to HTML” in the search bar and select “Plugins” at the top.
Press “Install.”
Return to your design and select the elements you want to export.
Open the main menu, select “Plugins,” and then select “Figma to HTML.”
Select HTML or CSS.
Press “Copy” or “Download.”

Figma to Code

With this plugin, you can convert your Figma design to HTML, Tailwind, Flutter, or Swift UI. Follow the steps below to install and use it:

Press the top-left icon to access the main menu.
Select “Plugins.”
Press “Browse Plugins in Community.”
Type “Figma to Code” in the search bar and choose “Plugins” at the top to get relevant results.
Press “Install.”
Go to your design and select the desired elements.
Access the main menu again, select “Plugins,” and then select “Figma to Code.”
Select the desired code.
Press “Copy to Clipboard.”

Can I Export Code in Figma on the iPhone?

The new Figma iPhone app was only available as a beta version through Testflight for the first 10,000 iPhones, but the company states the full rollout is coming soon. The app allows you to browse and access your designs and track live changes on your iPhone while editing the design on your computer.

At the time, it’s not possible to edit designs through the iPhone app, which means there’s no way to export code through it.

Figma also offers the Figma Mirror app on the App Store. This app enables you to mirror your designs to any iOS device without being connected to the same network. That way, you can check how your design looks on a particular device (in this case, iPhone) and keep track of changes. Although useful, the app doesn’t allow you to export code on your iPhone. For that, you’ll have to grab your computer.

You can also access your designs through your browser. However, you’ll still only be able to view your design and track live changes.

Can I Export Code in Figma on an iPad?

Unfortunately, it’s not possible to export code in Figma if you’re using an iPad. Figma is working on the mobile app, and there is a beta version, but it wasn’t available for tablets, only for iPhones and Androids.

The Figma Mirror app is available on iPads. The app allows you to track changes you make to your design over the computer and check how they look on the iPad screen. Unfortunately, the option to export code within the app isn’t available.

If you don’t want to install the app, you can access Figma through your browser and track changes to the design. But, exporting code in Figma is only possible on a computer.

Can I Export Code in Figma on an Android

Figma is currently working on the Android app and offers a beta version for 10,000 Android phones. You can become a tester by downloading the app from the Play Store and accessing this link. You can browse, view, and share your designs and track changes within the app even when you’re not near your computer.

Although the app is useful for many purposes, it doesn’t enable you to export code for now.

The Figma Mirror app is also available for Android. Its main purpose is to track changes you make to your designs on your computer and ensure they look good across all Android devices. The option to export code isn’t available.

You can also use Figma within your browser if you don’t want to install the app. However, you still won’t be able to export the code. For that, you’ll have to use your computer.

Additional FAQs

How do I export colors from Figma to Xcode?

Unfortunately, it’s not possible to export colors from Figma to Xcode since Figma doesn’t support it. But, there is a workaround you can use called Figma Export. Follow the steps below to use it:

1. If you haven’t already, install Figma Export.

2. Open “Terminal.app.”

3. Open the folder with the “figma-export” file.

4. Launch “figma-export.”

5. Export colors using “./figma-export colors -i figma-export.yaml”.

How do I export HTML code from Figma?

As previously mentioned, the built-in tool called Figma Inspect allows you to get CSS, but not HTML. If you need the HTML code, you’ll need to install a plugin.

Figma features dozens of plugins that serve this purpose. Our recommendation is Figma to HTML. Here’s how to use it:

1. Open the main menu. It’s the top-left icon.

2. Press “Plugins.”

3. Select “Browse Plugins in Community.”

4. Type “Figma to HTML” in the search bar and ensure “Plugins” is selected at the top.

5. Select “Install.”

6. Return to your design and select the elements you want to convert to HTML.

7. Go to the main menu, select “Plugins,” and open “Figma to HTML.”

8. Press HTML.

9. Choose between “Copy” or “Download.”

Get the Code You Need

Figma allows you to export different types of codes using several methods. You can use built-in tools or download different plugins, depending on your needs. For now, exporting codes is only possible via computers. Figma released the mobile app beta version (limited to 10,000 iPhone or Android devices), but it doesn’t feature this option. Fortunately, exporting code on computers is quick and easy.

How do you export code in Figma? Do you use one of the methods we mentioned in this article? Tell us in the comments section below.