Select your text, then use the Fill panel to change its color

To change text color in Figma, click on the text layer you want to edit, then look for the Fill panel on the right side of your screen. Click the color square next to "Fill" and choose your new color from the color picker. The text updates immediately.

If you don't see the Fill panel, make sure you have the text layer selected — not the text box itself. Click directly on the text in the canvas or select it from the layers panel on the left. The right panel should then show design controls including Fill.

You can also select multiple text layers at once and change them all to the same color. Hold Shift and click each text layer you want to modify, then adjust the Fill color once. All selected layers will update together.

Key Takeaways

  • Select the text layer, then click the Fill color square in the right panel to open the color picker.
  • You can choose from a color palette, enter a hex code, or use the eyedropper tool to sample a color from your design.
  • Holding Shift lets you select multiple text layers and change their color all at once.
  • If text color doesn't change, check that you have the text layer selected and not the frame or group containing it.

Using the color picker to find the exact shade you want

When you click the Fill color square, Figma opens a color picker with several ways to choose. The main panel shows a color gradient — click anywhere in it to pick a shade. To the right is a vertical bar that lets you adjust the hue (the base color itself).

If you already know the color you want, type the hex code directly into the text field at the bottom of the picker. Hex codes start with # and use six characters, like #FF5733 for a bright red-orange. You can also paste a hex code you copied from another design or website.

The eyedropper tool (the small icon that looks like a dropper) lets you click anywhere on your canvas or even outside Figma to sample a color. This is useful when you want your text to match a color already in your design or when you're working from a reference image.

Changing text color for specific words within a text block

If you want only some words in a text block to be a different color, you need to select just those words first. Double-click the text to enter edit mode, then click and drag to highlight the words you want to recolor. The Fill panel will then apply color only to your selection.

This works the same way as changing the color of an entire text layer — just make sure you're in edit mode (you should see a text cursor blinking) before you select the words. Once you've highlighted them, the Fill panel controls apply only to that selection.

If you find yourself coloring many individual words, consider breaking them into separate text layers instead. This makes it easier to adjust colors later and keeps your design more organized.

Working with text color and transparency

The Fill panel also controls transparency, shown as a percentage next to the color square. Drag the slider left to make text more transparent (lighter and more see-through) or right to make it fully opaque (solid). You can set transparency anywhere from 0% (invisible) to 100% (fully solid).

Transparent text is rarely useful for readability, but it can work for design effects like watermarks or layered text. If you accidentally make text too transparent and can't read it, select the layer and drag the transparency slider back to 100%.

Saving colors as a team library for consistent text colors

If you work on a team or manage multiple projects, you can save text colors to a shared color library so everyone uses the same shades. In the Fill panel, click the four-dot menu next to the color square and select "Save color" or "Add to library." Name the color something clear like "Primary Text" or "Accent Blue."

Once saved, that color appears in your color library and can be used across all your files. If you later change the library color, all text using that color updates automatically — useful when a brand color changes or you want to test a new palette across a whole project.

Team libraries are managed through your Figma workspace settings. Your workspace admin can create a shared library file that all team members can access, ensuring consistent colors across all designs.

Troubleshooting when text color won't change

If you click Fill but nothing happens, check that you have a text layer selected and not a frame or group. Click directly on the text in the canvas, or click the text layer name in the layers panel on the left. The layer name should be highlighted in blue when it's selected.

Another common issue is that the text might have a stroke (outline) instead of a fill, or the stroke might be covering the fill. Look for the "Stroke" section in the right panel below Fill. If there's a stroke color, you may need to remove it or adjust its width so the text fill shows through.

If the text is inside a component or a locked layer, you may not be able to edit it directly. Check the layers panel for a lock icon next to the text layer. If it's locked, click the lock to unlock it. If it's a component, you may need to edit the main component rather than an instance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change text color for just part of a word?

Yes. Double-click the text to enter edit mode, then click and drag to select just the letters you want to recolor. The Fill panel will apply color only to your selection, so you can color individual letters or parts of words differently.

What's the difference between Fill and Stroke for text?

Fill is the solid color inside the letters. Stroke is an outline around the letters. Most text uses Fill only. Stroke is useful for creating outlined text effects, but it can make small text hard to read if the stroke is too thick.

How do I make text color match another element in my design?

Use the eyedropper tool in the color picker. Click the dropper icon, then click the color you want to sample from anywhere on your canvas. Figma will match the text color to that exact shade.

Will changing text color in my main component update all instances?

Yes. If you edit the main component, all instances (copies) of that component will update automatically. If you want to change color only in one instance, you need to override that property for that specific instance.

Can I undo a text color change?

Yes. Press Ctrl+Z (Windows) or Cmd+Z (Mac) to undo your last action. You can undo multiple steps by pressing the shortcut repeatedly or using the Edit menu.