Figma makes it easy to flip images, shapes, icons, illustrations, and other design objects. Whether you’re creating a mirrored photo, changing the direction of an illustration, or building a symmetrical design, you can flip an object horizontally or vertically in just a few clicks.
Figma’s transform controls let you reverse an object’s orientation without changing its basic dimensions. You can use the right-side design panel, keyboard shortcuts, or the Scale tool to create a horizontal or vertical mirror effect.
If you only need to flip a standalone photo and don’t need a complete design application, you can also use an online image flipper directly in your browser.
What Does Flipping an Image Mean in Figma?
Flipping an image creates a mirrored version of the original.
There are two common options:
- Flip Horizontal: Reverses the image from left to right.
- Flip Vertical: Reverses the image from top to bottom.
For example, if a person is facing right in an image, flipping it horizontally makes the person face left.
Flipping is different from rotating. Rotation turns an object around its center, while flipping mirrors the object’s orientation.
| Action | Result |
| Flip Horizontal | Left and right are reversed |
| Flip Vertical | Top and bottom are reversed |
| Rotate 90° | Object turns sideways |
| Rotate 180° | Object turns upside down |
How to Flip an Image Horizontally in Figma
The easiest way to flip an image in Figma is to select the image and use the flip controls in the design interface.
Step 1: Open Your Figma File
Open Figma and navigate to the design file containing the image you want to flip.
You can work with an image placed directly on the canvas or an image used as the fill of a shape.
Step 2: Select the Image
Choose the Move tool and click the image.
You should see a bounding box around the selected object.
Step 3: Open the Transform Options
With the image selected, look at the right-hand design panel.
Depending on the current Figma interface and selected object, transformation controls may appear around the object’s position, dimensions, rotation, and other properties.
Use the object’s transform options to access the horizontal flip command.
Step 4: Flip Horizontally
Choose Flip Horizontal.
Figma mirrors the selected image from left to right.
The image remains in the same general position on the canvas, but its visual direction is reversed.
How to Flip an Image Vertically in Figma
A vertical flip reverses the image from top to bottom.
To flip an image vertically:
- Select the image.
- Open its transform controls.
- Choose Flip Vertical.
- Check the result on the canvas.
The top of the image becomes the bottom, creating an upside-down or vertically mirrored version.
Vertical flipping can be useful for reflections, creative compositions, and symmetrical layouts.
How to Flip an Image Using Figma’s Scale Tool
Another way to create a mirror effect is to use negative scaling.
Figma’s Scale tool can be useful when you need more control over an object’s transformation.
Step 1: Select the Image
Click the image you want to transform.
Step 2: Choose the Scale Tool
Select the Scale tool from the toolbar.
You can also use the appropriate keyboard shortcut shown in your current Figma interface.
Step 3: Scale Across the Opposite Direction
Drag the relevant edge across the object’s opposite side.
When an object is scaled through zero into a negative scale, its orientation is mirrored.
This method can be useful when you’re working with precise layouts or need to combine flipping with other transformations.
However, for a simple mirror effect, the dedicated flip controls are generally easier.
How to Flip an Image Inside a Figma Frame
Images are often placed inside frames when designing websites, apps, presentations, and social media graphics.
If your image is inside a frame, select the image layer itself rather than the frame when you want only the photo to flip.
For example:
- Open the Layers panel.
- Locate the image layer.
- Select the image.
- Apply Flip Horizontal or Flip Vertical.
This lets you reverse the image while keeping the surrounding frame and other design elements unchanged.
How to Flip an Image Fill in Figma
Figma also allows images to be used as fills inside shapes and frames.
If your photo is applied as an image fill, the editing process can differ from flipping a standalone image layer.
Select the object containing the image fill and inspect the Fill settings in the right panel.
Depending on the object and current Figma features available in your workspace, you may have image adjustment and positioning controls that let you change how the image appears inside the object.
If you need to reverse the actual image rather than simply repositioning it within a shape, flipping the image layer itself is usually more straightforward.
How to Flip Multiple Images in Figma
You can flip multiple objects at once.
For example, suppose your design contains several icons or photos that all need to face the opposite direction.
Step 1: Select Multiple Objects
Hold Shift while clicking the objects you want to transform.
You can also select several objects by dragging a selection box around them.
Step 2: Apply the Flip
Use the horizontal or vertical flip control.
Figma applies the transformation to the selected objects.
This is useful for:
- Icon sets
- Character illustrations
- Repeated graphics
- Photo layouts
- UI components
- Symmetrical designs
Before applying the transformation, make sure all selected objects are intended to be flipped together.
How to Flip a Group in Figma
If multiple objects are already grouped, you can select the group and apply a flip.
This can be especially useful for illustrations made from several individual shapes.
For example, you could create the left half of an illustration, group its components, duplicate the group, and flip the duplicate horizontally to create a symmetrical design.
This workflow can save time when creating:
- Logos
- Characters
- Icons
- Decorative patterns
- Symmetrical illustrations
How to Mirror an Image in Figma
A horizontal flip is essentially a mirror effect.
If you want to make a person, object, or landscape face in the opposite direction, select the image and use Flip Horizontal.
For example, an image of a car pointing toward the right will point toward the left after a horizontal flip.
This can be particularly useful when designing website hero sections because the direction a subject faces can affect how the surrounding text and visual elements are balanced.
Flip vs. Rotate in Figma
It’s important to choose the correct transformation.
Flip Horizontal
Reverses the left and right sides.
Example: A person looking right now looks left.
Flip Vertical
Reverses the top and bottom.
Example: A landscape becomes vertically inverted.
Rotate
Turns the object around its center.
Example: Rotating an image by 90 degrees turns a portrait sideways.
If your goal is to create a mirror image, use flipping rather than rotation.
What Happens to Text When You Flip an Image?
If text is part of the image itself, flipping the image also reverses the text.
For example, a photograph of a sign saying:
OPEN
will show the lettering backward after a horizontal flip.
This is expected because Figma is transforming the entire image.
Be especially careful with:
- Screenshots
- Product packaging
- Posters
- Logos
- Signs
- Infographics
- Images containing labels
If the text is a separate Figma text layer, however, you can manage that layer independently instead of flipping it with the image.
How to Flip a Photo Without Flipping the Rest of the Design
When working on a large Figma project, you usually don’t want the entire design to change orientation.
The solution is to select only the image layer.
For example, if your canvas contains:
- A background
- A photo
- A heading
- A button
- Several icons
select only the photo before applying the flip.
This keeps the rest of the layout unchanged.
How to Create a Symmetrical Design in Figma
Flipping is particularly useful for symmetrical graphics.
A common workflow is:
- Create one side of the design.
- Duplicate the artwork.
- Move the duplicate into position.
- Flip it horizontally.
- Align the two sides.
- Make any final adjustments.
This approach can be useful for:
- Logos
- Faces
- Icons
- Decorative elements
- UI graphics
- Illustrations
Using a duplicated object also preserves your original artwork.
Does Flipping an Image Reduce Quality?
A simple horizontal or vertical flip does not inherently reduce the pixel dimensions of a raster image.
However, image quality can still depend on the original file and how it is exported.
For better results:
- Use a high-resolution source image.
- Avoid enlarging a small image excessively.
- Keep the original image available.
- Check the final design at 100% zoom.
- Export using an appropriate format and resolution.
For web designs, also check how the final image appears at the intended display size.
How to Undo a Flip in Figma
If you accidentally flip an image, you can undo the transformation.
Use:
Edit → Undo
or the standard undo keyboard shortcut for your operating system.
You can also apply the opposite transformation if you intentionally need to reverse the flip.
For important designs, using Figma’s version history or duplicating an object before making major changes can also help you preserve earlier work.
Common Problems When Flipping Images in Figma
I Can’t Find the Flip Option
Figma’s interface can change over time, and available controls can depend on what type of object is selected.
First make sure you have selected an actual image or object rather than the entire frame.
The Whole Frame Is Flipping
You may have selected the frame instead of the image.
Open the Layers panel and select the specific image layer.
My Text Is Backward
If the text is part of the image, it will be mirrored along with the rest of the image.
If the text is a separate Figma text layer, select the image separately so the text remains readable.
The Image Looks Upside Down
You probably used Flip Vertical when you intended to use Flip Horizontal.
Remember:
- Horizontal flip = left and right reverse.
- Vertical flip = top and bottom reverse.
The Image Changed Position
Transformations can affect how an object is positioned relative to its surrounding layout. After flipping, check its alignment with nearby objects and use Figma’s alignment controls if necessary.
Flip an Image Online Instead of Using Figma
Figma is ideal when you’re already working on a complete design. But if you only need to reverse a single photo, using a full design workspace may be unnecessary.
For a quick standalone edit, you can use an online image flipper.
The basic process is:
- Upload your image.
- Select horizontal or vertical flipping.
- Apply the flip.
- Save the resulting image.
This can be useful when you’re preparing a photo before importing it into Figma.
Tips for Flipping Images in Figma
Keep these tips in mind:
- Select the image itself before applying a flip.
- Use Flip Horizontal for a left-to-right mirror.
- Use Flip Vertical for a top-to-bottom reversal.
- Check text carefully after flipping.
- Duplicate important artwork before experimenting.
- Use layers to avoid accidentally transforming the entire frame.
- Check alignment after flipping.
- Use an online image flipper when you only need a quick standalone transformation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I flip an image horizontally in Figma?
Select the image and use Figma’s Flip Horizontal transformation control. The image will be mirrored from left to right.
How do I flip an image vertically in Figma?
Select the image and choose Flip Vertical from the available transformation controls. This reverses the image from top to bottom.
Can I flip an image inside a Figma frame?
Yes. Select the image layer inside the frame and apply the desired horizontal or vertical flip.
Can I flip multiple objects at once in Figma?
Yes. Select multiple objects and apply the flip transformation to the selection.
Can I mirror a photo in Figma?
Yes. A horizontal flip creates a mirror image by reversing the photo from left to right.
Does flipping an image reduce its quality in Figma?
Flipping itself does not require reducing the image’s pixel dimensions. However, the final quality depends on the source image and export settings.
Can I flip a group in Figma?
Yes. You can select a group and apply a horizontal or vertical transformation to mirror the grouped artwork.
Why is my text backward after flipping?
If the text is part of the image, flipping reverses the text as well. Separate Figma text layers can be kept independent from the image.
Can I flip an image before importing it into Figma?
Yes. You can flip the photo in another editor or use an online image flipper before adding it to your Figma project.
Final Thoughts
Flipping an image in Figma is a simple way to change the direction of a photo, create a mirror effect, or build symmetrical designs. The key is to select the correct image or object before applying the transformation.
Use a horizontal flip when you want to reverse left and right, and use a vertical flip when you want to reverse the top and bottom. When working inside frames or complex layouts, selecting the specific image layer helps prevent unintended changes to the rest of the design.
For a quick standalone photo edit, an online image flipper can also be a convenient alternative to opening a full design project.
