I’m working on converting a Figma design to HTML and CSS but running into trouble with elements that use transform properties. When I try to recreate the design in HTML, the positioning doesn’t match what I see in Figma.
Specifically, I have an add icon that should be positioned in a certain spot, but it’s showing up in the wrong place in my HTML version. The transform values from Figma don’t seem to translate correctly to CSS.
Has anyone else dealt with this kind of positioning mismatch when converting Figma designs? I’m not sure if I’m missing something about how transforms work differently between Figma and CSS, or if there’s a better approach to handle this conversion.
Any tips on getting the positioning to match exactly would be really helpful. Thanks!
use figma’s dev mode instead of guessin the values. it gives u actual css code that works way better than converting by hand. also, make sure ur html structure matches figma’s layer hierarchy - i’ve totally messed that up tons of times!
yeah, figma’s layout is totally different from how browsers render things. switch to position: absolute - you’ll have way better control. just make sure your parent element has proper positioning set up, or it’ll break everything!
Transform origin is probably the culprit. Figma uses different transform origins than CSS (which defaults to top-left). I had the same issue - explicitly setting transform-origin fixed it. Also check if your container matches Figma’s dimensions exactly. Even tiny width/height differences will break transform calculations. I screenshot both versions and overlay them in Photoshop to find the exact offset, then adjust from there. Sometimes it’s not even the transform - just margin/padding differences between CSS and Figma.
Been there so many times. Figma and browsers handle transforms totally differently.
What works? Skip the manual conversion. I used to waste hours tweaking values by hand that never matched up right.
Forget position absolute or grid layouts - I just automate the whole Figma to HTML process. Set up workflows that pull design data straight from Figma’s API and auto-generate CSS with the right transform calculations.
No more frustrating pixel-perfect adjustments. It handles all the coordinate differences between Figma and CSS, plus I can rebuild everything in minutes when designs change.
Automation’s been a game changer for our design handoffs. We went from days of manual work to automated builds that actually work.
The coordinate systems work differently - that’s your problem. Figma uses canvas positioning while CSS transforms work with document flow. I check Figma’s actual pixel coordinates in the inspect panel and calculate the offset myself instead of copying transform values. Works way better. I also throw temporary borders on the icon and container to see exactly where things break. Half the time it’s not even the transform - it’s the reference point or parent container being sized differently than what Figma shows.
Converting Figma designs can often be tricky due to how transform properties behave. Figma positions elements using its own unique system, which can lead to mismatches in HTML/CSS. Instead of directly using Figma’s transform values, try prioritizing the layout relationship among elements. Utilizing CSS Grid or Flexbox can provide the necessary structure for positioning your icon correctly. Don’t forget to set the right context for parent containers; this can significantly affect positioning. If transformations are required, apply them minimally for fine-tuning.