How to Build a Prototype in Figma
Build interactive prototypes in Figma with transitions, overlays, and Smart Animate. Create realistic click-through experiences for user testing.
Step-by-step
How to Build a Prototype in Figma
Design your screens
Create the key screens of your flow as separate frames on the canvas. Include all states — loading screens, success messages, error states, and empty states. Name each frame descriptively (e.g., 'Login', 'Dashboard - Empty', 'Dashboard - Loaded').
Switch to Prototype mode
Click the 'Prototype' tab in the right panel. Select an element (button, link, card) and drag the blue circle that appears on hover to the destination frame. This creates an interaction wire. The element is now clickable in the prototype.
Configure interactions
Click an interaction wire to configure it. Set the trigger (On Click, On Hover, On Drag, After Delay). Choose the animation (Instant, Dissolve, Move In, Slide In, Smart Animate). Set the duration and easing curve. Smart Animate automatically animates matching layers between frames.
Add overlays and scroll behavior
For modals and dropdowns, set the destination to 'Open as Overlay'. Configure the overlay position, background dimming, and close behavior (click outside to close). For scrollable content, set 'Scroll behavior' to 'Scrolls' on the frame and check 'Fix position when scrolling' for sticky headers.
Preview and share
Click the Play button (or Ctrl/Cmd+Alt+Enter) to preview the prototype. Walk through every flow to check transitions and interactions. Click 'Share' then 'Copy prototype link' to send it to stakeholders or user testing participants.
Tips
Pro tips
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Use Smart Animate by keeping the same layer names across frames — Figma animates the differences automatically
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Set a 'Starting frame' in the Prototype tab to control which screen appears first when someone opens the prototype
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Add 'After Delay' interactions for loading states and splash screens to make the prototype feel realistic
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Use component interactions (prototype connections on the main component) to avoid re-linking the same interaction on every screen
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