Figma Grid: Best Website Grid Size For Perfect Layouts

Oct 31, 2025 by Admin 55 views

Hey guys! Ever wondered what the best website grid size is when you're designing in Figma? You're not alone! Creating a solid grid is essential for consistent and professional-looking layouts. In this article, we'll dive deep into website grid sizes in Figma, covering everything from the basics to advanced techniques. Let's get started and make your designs pixel-perfect!

Understanding Grid Systems in Figma

Before we jump into specific sizes, let's quickly cover what grid systems are and why they're super important. A grid system is basically a framework that helps you align elements on your canvas in a structured way. Think of it as the backbone of your design, ensuring everything is in its right place.

Why Use a Grid System?

Using a grid system offers several key advantages:

Consistency: Grids ensure all your pages have a uniform look and feel, which is crucial for branding.
Alignment: Elements snap to the grid, making alignment quick and easy. Say goodbye to misaligned text and images!
Responsiveness: A well-designed grid adapts to different screen sizes, maintaining your design's integrity on various devices. This is super important in today's mobile-first world.
Efficiency: With a grid in place, you can design faster and more efficiently. No more guessing where to place elements – the grid guides you!
Professionalism: Using a grid system gives your designs a polished, professional look that stands out.

Choosing the Right Grid Size for Websites

Okay, so what's the magic number? While there's no one-size-fits-all answer, the 12-column grid is a popular and versatile choice for web design. Let's break down why and how to use it effectively.

The 12-Column Grid: A Web Design Standard

The 12-column grid is a standard in web design for a reason. It offers a great balance between flexibility and structure. Here's why it works:

Divisibility: 12 is divisible by 2, 3, 4, and 6, giving you tons of layout options. You can easily create layouts with halves, thirds, quarters, or sixths.
Complexity: It provides enough columns to create complex layouts without being overly complicated to manage. It strikes a perfect balance!
Adaptability: The 12-column grid can be easily adapted for responsive designs, making it ideal for websites that need to look great on all devices.

Key Grid Settings in Figma

To set up a 12-column grid in Figma, here are the key settings you'll need to configure:

Count: Set this to 12 for a 12-column grid.
Type: Choose "Columns".
Width: This depends on your design's overall width. A common width for web design is 1200px, but you can adjust it based on your project's needs. More on this below!
Gutter: The space between the columns. A standard gutter width is 20px or 30px, but again, this is flexible.
Margin: The space between the grid and the edges of your artboard. A common margin is around 16px to 24px.

Determining the Right Width, Gutter, and Margin

Choosing the right width, gutter, and margin is crucial for a well-balanced design. Here's how to approach it:

Width: Start with a common website width like 1200px. This gives your content plenty of space to breathe. However, consider the target audience and content when setting this up. For blogs focusing on longer textual content, it's usually better to opt for a narrower width, while portfolio sites can benefit from the larger space.
Gutter: A 20px or 30px gutter works well in most cases. It provides enough separation between columns without feeling too wide. Experiment to see what looks best for your design.
Margin: Margins help to frame your content and prevent it from feeling cramped against the edges of the screen. A margin of 16px to 24px is a good starting point.

It's a good idea to test these settings and make adjustments as needed. What looks good on one design might not look as great on another!

Setting Up a Grid in Figma: A Step-by-Step Guide

Let's walk through how to set up a 12-column grid in Figma, step by step:

Create a New Frame: Start by creating a new frame in Figma. Set the width to your desired website width (e.g., 1200px) and the height to whatever you need.
Add a Grid Layout: Select the frame, and in the right-hand panel, click the "+" icon next to "Layout Grid".
Configure the Grid: Click the grid icon to open the grid settings panel. Change the following settings:
- Grid: Change this from "Grid" to "Columns".
- Count: Set this to 12.
- Width: Enter the column width (you'll need to calculate this based on your overall width, gutter, and margin).
- Gutter: Set this to your desired gutter width (e.g., 20px or 30px).
- Margin: Set this to your desired margin (e.g., 16px or 24px).
Adjust as Needed: Play with the settings until you get a grid that looks and feels right for your design. Don't be afraid to experiment!

Calculating Column Width

Here's the math to calculate the column width, using an example:

Website Width: 1200px
Margin: 20px (on each side, so 40px total)
Gutter: 20px (11 gutters in a 12-column grid, so 220px total)

Subtract the margins and gutters from the website width: 1200px - 40px - 220px = 940px
Divide the result by the number of columns: 940px / 12 = 78.33px

So, in this example, your column width would be approximately 78.33px.

Designing with the Grid

Now that you have your grid set up, it's time to start designing! Here are some tips for designing with the grid in Figma:

Snap to Grid: Make sure the "Snap to Grid" option is enabled in Figma. This will ensure that your elements align perfectly with the grid lines. Go to View > Snap to Grid or press *Shift + Command + * on macOS or *Shift + Ctrl + * on Windows.
Use Columns for Layout: Use the columns to define the layout of your content. For example, you might have a heading that spans all 12 columns, with body text in the following 8 columns, and a sidebar in the remaining 4 columns.
Maintain Consistent Spacing: Use the grid to maintain consistent spacing between elements. This will give your design a polished and professional look.
Break the Grid (Sometimes): While the grid is a useful tool, don't be afraid to break it occasionally. Sometimes, breaking the grid can add visual interest and dynamism to your designs. However, do so intentionally and with purpose!

Responsive Design and Grids

A huge part of modern web design is responsiveness. Your grid should adapt to different screen sizes, so your designs look great on desktops, tablets, and phones.

Adapting the Grid for Different Screen Sizes

Here are some strategies for adapting your grid for different screen sizes:

Fluid Grids: Use percentages for column widths instead of fixed pixel values. This allows the grid to scale fluidly as the screen size changes.
Column Shifting: On smaller screens, shift columns to stack vertically. This ensures that your content remains legible and accessible.
Hiding Columns: On very small screens, you might need to hide some columns to simplify the layout. This can help to improve the user experience on mobile devices.
Breakpoint Adjustments: Adjust the grid settings at different breakpoints (e.g., desktop, tablet, mobile) to optimize the layout for each screen size.

Using Auto Layout and Constraints

Figma's Auto Layout and Constraints features are incredibly helpful for creating responsive designs. Use them in conjunction with your grid to ensure that your designs adapt seamlessly to different screen sizes.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even with a solid understanding of grid systems, it's easy to make mistakes. Here are some common pitfalls to avoid:

Ignoring the Grid: Not using the grid consistently can lead to misaligned elements and an unprofessional look. Commit to using the grid throughout your design process.
Overcomplicating the Grid: Creating an overly complex grid can be difficult to manage and can hinder your design process. Keep it simple and focus on the key elements.
Using the Wrong Grid Size: Choosing a grid size that doesn't fit your content or design goals can lead to a cluttered and unbalanced layout. Experiment with different grid sizes to find the right fit.
Not Testing on Different Devices: Failing to test your designs on different devices can result in a poor user experience. Always test your designs on a variety of devices to ensure they look and function correctly.

Examples of Great Website Grids in Action

To give you some inspiration, here are a few examples of websites that use grid systems effectively:

Medium: Medium uses a simple and elegant grid to create a clean and readable layout. The grid helps to maintain consistency and readability throughout the site.
Airbnb: Airbnb uses a flexible grid to showcase its listings in an engaging and visually appealing way. The grid adapts to different screen sizes, ensuring a great user experience on all devices.
Apple: Apple uses a sophisticated grid to create a sleek and modern design. The grid helps to highlight key product features and maintain a consistent brand identity.

By studying these examples, you can gain a better understanding of how to use grid systems effectively in your own designs.

Conclusion

So there you have it! Mastering website grid sizes in Figma is essential for creating professional, consistent, and responsive designs. By understanding the principles of grid systems and following the tips outlined in this article, you'll be well on your way to creating stunning websites that look great on any device. Remember to experiment with different grid settings, test your designs thoroughly, and don't be afraid to break the grid when it makes sense. Happy designing, folks!