Variables vs. Styles in Figma: Strategies and Trade-offs

The Dilemma: Variables or Styles?

Figma has evolved toward a much more powerful model with the introduction of Variables, but Styles remain fundamental in many workflows. Understanding the purpose and limitations of each of these elements will help you build a more robust and easy-to-use design library.

Main Technical Comparison

When to Choose Each

You should use Variables when:

• You need Mode Management: If your design includes Light Mode, Dark Mode, or density variations (such as compact vs. spacious).
• You define Spacing and Radius Tokens: Numeric variables are perfect for applying consistent Gap, Padding, and Corner Radius across the system.
• You make Dynamic Prototypes: If you need a value to change (e.g., the price of a shopping cart or a personalized message) based on real user actions.
• Localization Validation: You can create String variables to test how your design looks in different languages or text lengths.

You should use Styles when:

• You use Gradients and Images: Variables do not support the handling of complex color gradients; in these situations, Styles remain the only native option in Figma.
• You apply Shadow and Blur Effects: Everything related to Effects properties (inner shadows, drop shadows, layer blur) must be saved as a Style.
• You define Typography Systems: The best flow for saving font families, weights, sizes, and line heights remains through Text Styles.
• You manage Layout Grids: To define consistent design grids and squares that apply to different containers (frames).

The Hybrid Approach: The Best Current Strategy

The most efficient and scalable design strategy consists of using Variables to power Styles. This workflow allows you to have the best of both worlds:

1. Step 1: Create all your variables for primitive colors (e.g., blue-500) and semantic ones (e.g., color-bg-primary).
2. Step 2: Create a Color Style (e.g., “Primary Background”) and, instead of assigning it a manual hexadecimal value, select the color-bg-primary variable.

By linking Styles to Variables, you inherit the multi-mode power of variables for your visual styles, allowing for quick, global changes throughout your design system.

Limitations and Future Considerations

Figma continues to integrate and improve these tools. The main current limitation is that typography variables do not yet granularly control all a Text Style’s properties (such as lineHeight or letterSpacing) across all subscription plans. However, the future points toward a total unification under the concept of Design Tokens.

Mentor’s Tips

• Don’t duplicate efforts: If a value is just a solid color, start directly with variables to take advantage of modes (themes).
• Use semantic names: Whether in variables or styles, the name should describe the element’s function (e.g., action-hover) and not its appearance (e.g., blue-600).
• Clean your library: Do not maintain hundreds of styles and variables. Regularly audit your system to remove those that are not being used.

Useful Resources and Tools

• Figma Learn: Official Guide to Variables
• Token Studio Plugin: For advanced token management that transcends Figma’s native limitations.
• Books: Refactoring UI by Adam Wathan and Steve Schoger (excellent for understanding the value of variables and scales).

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