How to create a Color Token or a Number Token in Figma

A step by step guide on creating a variable that links to or references another variable. Tokens are only available for colors and numbers.

Oscar de la Hera Gomez
Written by Oscar de la Hera Gomez
First published on 08/10/2023 at 14:36
Last Updated on 08/10/2023 at 17:26
<p>A flower that represents Figma with the text "Tokens" beneath it.</p>

A step by step guide on creating a variable that links to or references another variable. Tokens are only available for colors and numbers.

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"A token is a variable that has a semantic name and references another variable."

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- Figma

Check out our Figma Variables Guide

Step One: Create Variables to Reference

<p>A screenshot of Figma showing the Variable Window open with Color, Number, String and Boolean Variables. There are two variables under the Tokens group - these are called "Color Token" and "Number Token", as these are the only two types of tokens that we can create.</p>

If you have not already, create the variables needed to be referenced in tokens as well as the tokens themselves.

Please note that Tokens can reference variables in other groups and collections.

Additionally, is recommended that you use Camel Casing (ideal), Kebab Casing, Snake Casing or Pascal Casing when naming tokens to allow the your design system to translate directly into code.

Consult the guide on creating variables to learn more about naming conventions.

How to create a Variable in FigmaHow to create a group for Variables in FigmaHow to create a new Variable Collection in Figma

Step Two: Create the Token

<p>A screenshot of Figma showing that we have made the Color Token and Number Token reference the Color and Number that were previously created.</p>

Tokens can only be created for Color or Number variables.

Follow the relevant tutorial below to execute the creation of a token.

A | Create a Color Token

<p>A screenshot of Figma showing that we have clicked the colored square next to the the color token variable. This opened up the color picker. In the color picker we have selected the "Libraries" tab, which allows us to select other variables to reference.</p>

Select the colored square next to the color variable that you wish to convert into a token to open up the color picker window.

In this window, select the Libraries tab. This will allow you to browse existing color variables.

Select the variable you wish to reference/link to.

B | Create a Number Token

<p>A screenshot of Figma that shows that we selected the variable icon at the end of the number input to the right of the number variable that we wished to create into a token. This icon opens up a menu that allows us to select previously created number variables to reference.</p>

Hover over the number input of the number variable that you wish to convert into a token.

This will update the number input to show a variable icon at the far right.

Click the variable icon to open up a menu that allows you to reference other number variables.

Select the variable you wish to reference/link to.

Looking to learn more about things you can do with Variables or Figma ?

We recommend you check out our Figma Variables Guide or search our blog to find educational content on learning how to use Figma.

Check out our Figma Variables GuideSearch our Blog

Any Questions?

We are actively looking for feedback on how to improve this resource. Please send us a note to inquiries@delasign.com with any thoughts or feedback you may have.
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