How to change where your vector points sit

In Figma, a vector point is the anchor that defines the shape of a path. When you draw a rectangle, circle, or custom shape, Figma places points at specific locations — and you can move those points to reshape the object. The simplest way is to select the vector with the selection tool, then double-click it to enter edit mode, where each point appears as a small square. Click any point and drag it to a new position.

The reason you might move points: you drew a shape roughly and want to refine it, or you imported a vector from another program and need to adjust it. Moving points one at a time works for small changes. If you need to move many points together, you can select multiple points at once by clicking the first, then holding Shift and clicking the others, then dragging them as a group.

Key Takeaways

  • Double-click any vector shape to enter edit mode and see its individual points as small squares.
  • Click and drag a single point to move it; hold Shift and click multiple points to move them together.
  • The handles that extend from each point control the curve — dragging the handle changes how the path bends without moving the point itself.
  • Right-click a point to delete it, convert it between corner and smooth types, or disconnect its handles.
  • If you move a point and the shape breaks or looks wrong, undo with Ctrl+Z (or Cmd+Z on Mac) and try again.

Entering edit mode and selecting points

Before you can move a point, you need to see it. In Figma, vectors are hidden until you tell Figma you want to edit them. Select the shape with the selection tool (the arrow at the top left of the toolbar), then double-click the shape itself. The outline changes color and small squares appear at each point — these are the points you can move.

If you double-click and nothing happens, the object might be a component or a group. Try right-clicking it and selecting "Edit component" or "Enter group" first. Once you are in edit mode, a single click on any point selects just that point. The selected point turns a brighter color than the unselected ones, so you can always see which one you are about to move.

Moving a single point to reshape your vector

With a point selected, click and drag it to any new position. Figma updates the shape in real time as you drag, so you see the result when ready. If the shape has curves, moving a point may pull the curve with it — this is normal. The curve follows the point because the handles (the small lines extending from the point) stay attached.

If you move a point and the result is not what you wanted, undo when ready with Ctrl+Z (Windows) or Cmd+Z (Mac). There is no penalty for undoing; Figma keeps a full history. Move the point again, or try a different point. Many people find it easier to move a point slightly, see the result, undo if needed, and try again than to calculate the exact position in advance.

Selecting and moving multiple points at once

When you need to move several points together — for example, to shift one side of a shape without changing the other — select all the points you want to move first. Click the first point, then hold Shift and click each additional point. All selected points turn the bright selection color. Now drag any of the selected points, and all of them move together by the same amount.

You can also drag a selection box around multiple points: click and drag from an empty area near the points, and any point inside the box becomes selected. This is faster than Shift-clicking if you have many points close together. Once they are selected, drag any of them to move the whole group.

Understanding handles and how they affect curves

Each point on a curved path has two handles — small lines with circles at the end. These handles control how the path curves between points; they do not move the point itself. If you drag a handle, the curve bends, but the point stays in place. This is different from dragging the point, which moves the point and pulls the curve with it.

If a point has two handles pointing in opposite directions, it is a smooth point, and the curve flows smoothly through it. If the handles point in different directions or one is missing, it is a corner point, and the path can bend sharply. You do not usually need to think about this — just know that dragging a handle changes the curve shape, while dragging the point itself moves the anchor.

Converting points between corner and smooth types

Right-click any point in edit mode to see options for that point. You can convert it between a corner point (where the path can bend sharply) and a smooth point (where the curve flows smoothly). You can also disconnect the handles, which lets each handle move independently instead of staying opposite each other.

Most of the time, Figma chooses the right type automatically when you draw. But if you import a vector from another program or need to create a sharp angle in a curved path, right-click the point and select the type you need. The shape updates when ready.

Deleting points you no longer need

If a point is in the wrong place or you straightforward have too many points, you can remove it. Right-click the point and select "Delete" or just press the Delete key while the point is selected. Figma removes the point and redraws the path between the surrounding points. The shape may change slightly because the curve now connects different points.

Deleting a point is useful when you import a vector with more detail than you need, or when you accidentally created extra points by clicking in the same spot twice. If you delete a point and regret it, undo with Ctrl+Z or Cmd+Z.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't I see the points when I double-click my shape?

The shape might be a component, a group, or a text object. Right-click it and look for "Edit component" or "Enter group". If it is text, you cannot edit the vector points directly — convert it to a path first by right-clicking and selecting "Convert to path".

I moved a point and now the shape looks broken. How do I fix it?

Press Ctrl+Z (or Cmd+Z on Mac) to undo the move. Then try moving the point a smaller distance, or move a different point instead. If the shape is very distorted, undo several times to get back to a state you recognize.

What is the difference between dragging a point and dragging a handle?

Dragging a point moves the anchor itself and pulls the curve with it. Dragging a handle (the small circle at the end of the line extending from the point) bends the curve without moving the point. Use handles to smooth out curves; use points to reshape the overall structure.

Can I move points on a shape I imported from another program?

Yes, if it imported as a vector path. Double-click it to enter edit mode. If it imported as an image, you cannot move individual points — you would need to redraw it or convert it to a path using a different tool first.

How do I move a point precisely instead of dragging it by eye?

Select the point, then look at the properties panel on the right. You should see X and Y coordinates. Click the number field and type the exact position you want. This is slower than dragging but useful when you need pixel-perfect placement.