Figma Motion icon

Figma Motion

Figma Motion is Figma’s animation tool for creating and reviewing motion directly on the canvas, in the same file as your designs. It is built for designers and developers who want timeline editing, motion systems, and export or handoff paths inside Figma.

Figma Motion

Product overview

Figma Motion is Figma’s animation tool for designing motion directly on the canvas. It brings a timeline into the same file as your components, variables, and team collaboration so motion can be created and reviewed without leaving Figma.

The product is aimed at designers and developers who want to build animations, motion systems, and handoff-ready motion assets in the same workspace as the rest of their design work. The launch material positions it as a way to reduce context switching, make motion easier to start, and keep animation decisions connected to the design system that surrounds them.

Core capabilities

Animate in the same file

Switch a frame into Motion mode to work on a timeline alongside the design, instead of moving to a separate animation tool.

Timeline-based editing

Use the timeline to drag layers for timing, scrub through the animation, and keyframe position, scale, rotation, and opacity independently.

Auto keyframing and timing control

Turn on auto keyframing to record changes while the playhead is moving, then refine the result by adjusting easing or timing.

Preset animation styles

Start with preset animation styles such as fade, move, scale, rotate, and resize, then stack or sequence them on the canvas.

Motion systems with components and variables

Build motion into components and update motion values with variables and modes so animated patterns can travel across files.

Handoff and export

Export production-ready motion outputs and share them with developers through Dev Mode or the Figma MCP server.

Common ways to use it

  • Add motion inside an existing design file

    Use Motion when you want to animate a frame without leaving the file that contains the rest of the product design. This is useful when motion needs to stay aligned with components, variables, and the rest of the team’s work.

  • Create an initial animation quickly

    Use the agent and preset styles to get a first pass quickly, then refine the timeline by adjusting easing, timing, and keyframes. This fits designers who are new to motion or need a faster starting point.

  • Standardize motion across a design system

    Use components and motion variables when you need the same movement pattern to appear across many screens or collaborators’ files. This supports teams building reusable motion systems instead of one-off animations.

  • Review and hand off motion work

    Use timeline comments and Dev Mode when a motion draft needs review or developer handoff. The source emphasizes comments on specific moments and inspection of the motion timeline for code-oriented collaboration.

  • Share or ship animated assets

    Use export formats such as MP4, GIF, SVG, and WebM when you need the animation outside Figma, or use CSS and MCP-oriented outputs where code handoff is required.

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Keeps motion in the same Figma file as the rest of the design work, reducing context switching.
  • Supports both agent-assisted creation and direct timeline editing for different experience levels.
  • Includes concrete timeline controls such as scrubbing, layer timing, and independent keyframes for position, scale, rotation, and opacity.
  • Supports motion systems through animated components and motion variables, which can be reused across files.
  • Provides handoff paths for developers through Dev Mode, code export, and the Figma MCP server.

Cons

  • Several capabilities are described as coming soon, including custom animation styles and 3D transforms.
  • The source does not show Motion as a fully open feature; the pricing page says the beta is available on Full seats.

FAQ

What is Figma Motion?

Figma Motion is a motion design tool inside Figma that lets you create animations on the canvas, in the same file as your components, variables, and team collaboration. It is designed to support both agent-assisted creation and direct timeline editing.

How does Figma Motion fit into the Figma workflow?

The source describes Motion as being native to the same canvas as Design, Draw, and Dev modes. It also notes Dev Mode access and functionality for a smoother handoff, plus time-based comments for review.

What can you export from Figma Motion?

The Motion page says you can export animated work right from Figma, including MP4, GIF, SVG, and WebM. The launch post also mentions exports to CSS and MCP for 3D transforms.

Is Figma Motion available on all plans?

The pricing page says Figma Motion beta is available on Full seats. It also indicates that paid plans can allow others to view and comment without extra seats.

What limitations or upcoming features are noted?

The source mentions that custom animation styles are coming soon and that 3D transforms are also coming soon. The Motion page also labels some features as coming soon, such as 3D transforms and screen-to-screen transitions.

Quick Facts

Category
Design Tool
Product type
Animation tool
Platform
Figma web app
Primary users
Designers and developers
Availability
Beta on Full seats
Source domain
figma.com