Skip to main content

Hey folks, first of all I love the new variable function. Within the setup of spacings I want to reference my base value (“8”) and do calculations, e.g. (spacing-base)*2". This works fine and the value is calculated properly within the input to add a new variable. But I expected not that the calculation string changes to the absolute value. With this behaviour I loose the connection/ reference to my base value and the calculation is some how obsolete.


Does anybody feel the same?

Will there be an update?


image


Thanks

This seems like a no brainer, not sure why Figma seems to be kicking the can down the road on this one. It was a missing feature from the get go and now that they have Responsive as an option in the viewer it seems even more so. Please Figma, bump up the priority on this one.


Tagging here to keep alive however after posting multiple requests over the last 5years that are all sensible - relatively easy features to add - only to get no response i feel like this forum is a waste of time.



  • still no background picture positioning to match css

  • still limited number of variables except enterprise

  • still no simple calculations on variables


All in favour of AI features no designer asked for.


I agree, the Figma team is slooooow when it comes to adding new things. One problem is that there is really not any competition. Sketch is way behind and doesn’t even have auto layout.


Figma could be so much better but for some reason they decided to build an enierly different product (FigJam) instead of making Figma more useful.


+1 — I think everyone agrees that this is a must!


This is absolutely essential functionality. It would make the handoff to the devs much more intuitive. Combined with native JSON export it’d be golden.


+1

Could be very helpful


Still waiting for this feature to complete my design system!:)


+1
Totally agree, we can already do arithmetic in input fields, we just need to be able to do it with variables.


THIS IS A MUST! reducing duplicate work and enabling modularity!!


+1
… would be soooo helpful for design systems!


I haven’t really used variables before in Figma, and was shocked that this wasn’t a feature already!

I am so used to parametric building in other applications that I stopped using the variables cause it just limited my need of them right there.

 

Please implement formulas in variable creation, and include the ability to pull property definitions like current frame height, width, etc.


Hello, I’ve could achieve it by creating an timeout component.
Here’s an example:

here’s the link:
https://www.figma.com/community/file/1472994351897468751


I was expecting calculations when variables were first implemented, I’ve been constantly disapointed everytime I’ve checked only to see it’s still not. It would so useful for modular font-size scales, grid layouts, button padding on the x and y. I’m spending so much time making my tokens by manually entering values


So, are we getting this feature? We can't keep pretending REMs aren’t a thing, this is so needed in 2025


We definitely need this feature asap. It should not be so much complicated to implement, its a priority for a ton of users.


Bummed that this is still not available. It makes scales a hassle. Rather than changing a scale multiplier and base integer in a variable I have to manually calculate everything…. still.  


+1 this is a sorely lacking feature. Come on Figma, it can’t be that hard!


^+1 sorely missed, this needs to be implemented. Just imagine putting down a variable matrix with a base font size for body text and then have all the headline sizes automatically be calculated from that according to another variable, like type scale factor:

factor = 1.2

p = 18 (px)

h6 = p × factor

h5 = p × factor²

h4 = p × factor³

etc etc

I would have one template with all the variables and I could kickstart all our projects. Please make this happen!


+1

 

After just creating a boatload of spacing variables which could have been one calculation, this would be a relatively simple but hugely helpful addition.


+1 Waiting for this for 1 year


For creating any kind of prototype with data generating from adjusting in-flow variables, we need this feature. Prototyping with variables in a kneecapped feature without Maths.

Even basic Maths, like addition, in the Variable browser or the text field itself.

 

We already have conditionals with operators, so I know the underlying logic has been considered, but Figma have yet to roll this piece of work out. I need it!!


Reply