diff --git a/library/src/layout/spacing.rs b/library/src/layout/spacing.rs
index dbdf0c11e..e67fec03d 100644
--- a/library/src/layout/spacing.rs
+++ b/library/src/layout/spacing.rs
@@ -191,6 +191,12 @@ impl From<Em> for Spacing {
     }
 }
 
+impl From<Length> for Spacing {
+    fn from(length: Length) -> Self {
+        Self::Rel(length.into())
+    }
+}
+
 impl From<Fr> for Spacing {
     fn from(fr: Fr) -> Self {
         Self::Fr(fr)
diff --git a/library/src/layout/table.rs b/library/src/layout/table.rs
index fabe8c332..012e63acc 100644
--- a/library/src/layout/table.rs
+++ b/library/src/layout/table.rs
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 use crate::layout::{AlignNode, GridLayouter, TrackSizings};
+use crate::meta::LocalName;
 use crate::prelude::*;
 
 /// A table of items.
@@ -31,7 +32,7 @@ use crate::prelude::*;
 ///
 /// Display: Table
 /// Category: layout
-#[node(Layout)]
+#[node(Layout, LocalName)]
 pub struct TableNode {
     /// Defines the column sizes. See the [grid documentation]($func/grid) for
     /// more information on track sizing.
@@ -264,3 +265,12 @@ impl<T: Into<Value>> From<Celled<T>> for Value {
         }
     }
 }
+
+impl LocalName for TableNode {
+    fn local_name(&self, lang: Lang) -> &'static str {
+        match lang {
+            Lang::GERMAN => "Tabelle",
+            Lang::ENGLISH | _ => "Table",
+        }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/library/src/lib.rs b/library/src/lib.rs
index 36afdb2be..35cae5265 100644
--- a/library/src/lib.rs
+++ b/library/src/lib.rs
@@ -88,6 +88,7 @@ fn global(math: Module, calc: Module) -> Module {
     global.define("link", meta::LinkNode::id());
     global.define("outline", meta::OutlineNode::id());
     global.define("heading", meta::HeadingNode::id());
+    global.define("figure", meta::FigureNode::id());
     global.define("numbering", meta::numbering);
 
     // Symbols.
diff --git a/library/src/meta/figure.rs b/library/src/meta/figure.rs
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..6c43fa686
--- /dev/null
+++ b/library/src/meta/figure.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,120 @@
+use std::str::FromStr;
+
+use super::{LocalName, Numbering, NumberingPattern};
+use crate::layout::{BlockNode, TableNode, VNode};
+use crate::prelude::*;
+use crate::text::TextNode;
+
+/// A figure with an optional caption.
+///
+/// ## Example
+/// ```example
+/// = Pipeline
+/// @fig-lab shows the central step of
+/// our molecular testing pipeline.
+///
+/// #figure(
+///   image("molecular.jpg", width: 80%),
+///   caption: [
+///     The molecular testing pipeline.
+///   ],
+/// ) <fig-lab>
+/// ```
+///
+/// Display: Figure
+/// Category: meta
+#[node(Synthesize, Show, LocalName)]
+pub struct FigureNode {
+    /// The content of the figure. Often, an [image]($func/image).
+    #[required]
+    pub body: Content,
+
+    /// The figure's caption.
+    pub caption: Option<Content>,
+
+    /// How to number the figure. Accepts a
+    /// [numbering pattern or function]($func/numbering).
+    #[default(Some(Numbering::Pattern(NumberingPattern::from_str("1").unwrap())))]
+    pub numbering: Option<Numbering>,
+
+    /// The vertical gap between the body and caption.
+    #[default(Em::new(0.65).into())]
+    pub gap: Length,
+
+    /// The figure's number.
+    #[synthesized]
+    pub number: Option<NonZeroUsize>,
+}
+
+impl FigureNode {
+    fn element(&self) -> NodeId {
+        let mut id = self.body().id();
+        if id != NodeId::of::<TableNode>() {
+            id = NodeId::of::<Self>();
+        }
+        id
+    }
+}
+
+impl Synthesize for FigureNode {
+    fn synthesize(&self, vt: &mut Vt, styles: StyleChain) -> Content {
+        let my_id = vt.identify(self);
+        let element = self.element();
+
+        let numbering = self.numbering(styles);
+        let mut number = None;
+        if numbering.is_some() {
+            number = NonZeroUsize::new(
+                1 + vt
+                    .locate(Selector::node::<Self>())
+                    .into_iter()
+                    .take_while(|&(id, _)| id != my_id)
+                    .filter(|(_, node)| node.to::<Self>().unwrap().element() == element)
+                    .count(),
+            );
+        }
+
+        let node = self.clone().with_number(number).with_numbering(numbering).pack();
+        let meta = Meta::Node(my_id, node.clone());
+        node.styled(MetaNode::set_data(vec![meta]))
+    }
+}
+
+impl Show for FigureNode {
+    fn show(&self, vt: &mut Vt, styles: StyleChain) -> SourceResult<Content> {
+        let mut realized = self.body();
+
+        if let Some(mut caption) = self.caption(styles) {
+            if let Some(numbering) = self.numbering(styles) {
+                let number = self.number().unwrap();
+                let name = self.local_name(TextNode::lang_in(styles));
+                caption = TextNode::packed(eco_format!("{name}\u{a0}"))
+                    + numbering.apply(vt.world(), &[number])?.display()
+                    + TextNode::packed(": ")
+                    + caption;
+            }
+
+            realized += VNode::weak(self.gap(styles).into()).pack();
+            realized += caption;
+        }
+
+        Ok(BlockNode::new()
+            .with_body(Some(realized))
+            .pack()
+            .aligned(Axes::with_x(Some(Align::Center.into()))))
+    }
+}
+
+impl LocalName for FigureNode {
+    fn local_name(&self, lang: Lang) -> &'static str {
+        let body = self.body();
+        if body.is::<TableNode>() {
+            return body.with::<dyn LocalName>().unwrap().local_name(lang);
+        }
+
+        match lang {
+            Lang::GERMAN => "Abbildung",
+            Lang::ENGLISH | _ => "Figure",
+        }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/library/src/meta/heading.rs b/library/src/meta/heading.rs
index 1bff3af4e..e82f80c6c 100644
--- a/library/src/meta/heading.rs
+++ b/library/src/meta/heading.rs
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 use typst::font::FontWeight;
 
-use super::Numbering;
+use super::{LocalName, Numbering};
 use crate::layout::{BlockNode, HNode, VNode};
 use crate::prelude::*;
 use crate::text::{TextNode, TextSize};
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ use crate::text::{TextNode, TextSize};
 ///
 /// Display: Heading
 /// Category: meta
-#[node(Synthesize, Show, Finalize)]
+#[node(Synthesize, Show, Finalize, LocalName)]
 pub struct HeadingNode {
     /// The logical nesting depth of the heading, starting from one.
     #[default(NonZeroUsize::new(1).unwrap())]
@@ -78,14 +78,6 @@ pub struct HeadingNode {
     pub body: Content,
 
     /// The heading's numbering numbers.
-    ///
-    /// ```example
-    /// #show heading: it => it.numbers
-    ///
-    /// = First
-    /// == Second
-    /// = Third
-    /// ```
     #[synthesized]
     pub numbers: Option<Vec<NonZeroUsize>>,
 }
@@ -93,17 +85,17 @@ pub struct HeadingNode {
 impl Synthesize for HeadingNode {
     fn synthesize(&self, vt: &mut Vt, styles: StyleChain) -> Content {
         let my_id = vt.identify(self);
-        let numbered = self.numbering(styles).is_some();
+        let numbering = self.numbering(styles);
 
         let mut counter = HeadingCounter::new();
-        if numbered {
-            // Advance passed existing headings.
+        if numbering.is_some() {
+            // Advance past existing headings.
             for (_, node) in vt
-                .locate(Selector::node::<HeadingNode>())
+                .locate(Selector::node::<Self>())
                 .into_iter()
                 .take_while(|&(id, _)| id != my_id)
             {
-                let heading = node.to::<HeadingNode>().unwrap();
+                let heading = node.to::<Self>().unwrap();
                 if heading.numbering(StyleChain::default()).is_some() {
                     counter.advance(heading);
                 }
@@ -116,8 +108,8 @@ impl Synthesize for HeadingNode {
         let node = self
             .clone()
             .with_outlined(self.outlined(styles))
-            .with_numbering(self.numbering(styles))
-            .with_numbers(numbered.then(|| counter.take()))
+            .with_numbers(numbering.is_some().then(|| counter.take()))
+            .with_numbering(numbering)
             .pack();
 
         let meta = Meta::Node(my_id, node.clone());
@@ -196,3 +188,12 @@ cast_from_value! {
     HeadingNode,
     v: Content => v.to::<Self>().ok_or("expected heading")?.clone(),
 }
+
+impl LocalName for HeadingNode {
+    fn local_name(&self, lang: Lang) -> &'static str {
+        match lang {
+            Lang::GERMAN => "Abschnitt",
+            Lang::ENGLISH | _ => "Section",
+        }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/library/src/meta/mod.rs b/library/src/meta/mod.rs
index 07f449a42..f5b9bf2f0 100644
--- a/library/src/meta/mod.rs
+++ b/library/src/meta/mod.rs
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 //! Interaction between document parts.
 
 mod document;
+mod figure;
 mod heading;
 mod link;
 mod numbering;
@@ -8,6 +9,7 @@ mod outline;
 mod reference;
 
 pub use self::document::*;
+pub use self::figure::*;
 pub use self::heading::*;
 pub use self::link::*;
 pub use self::numbering::*;
diff --git a/library/src/meta/outline.rs b/library/src/meta/outline.rs
index a2b125110..81785212c 100644
--- a/library/src/meta/outline.rs
+++ b/library/src/meta/outline.rs
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-use super::HeadingNode;
+use super::{HeadingNode, LocalName};
 use crate::layout::{BoxNode, HNode, HideNode, ParbreakNode, RepeatNode};
 use crate::prelude::*;
 use crate::text::{LinebreakNode, SpaceNode, TextNode};
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ use crate::text::{LinebreakNode, SpaceNode, TextNode};
 ///
 /// Display: Outline
 /// Category: meta
-#[node(Synthesize, Show)]
+#[node(Synthesize, Show, LocalName)]
 pub struct OutlineNode {
     /// The title of the outline.
     ///
@@ -91,10 +91,7 @@ impl Show for OutlineNode {
         let mut seq = vec![ParbreakNode::new().pack()];
         if let Some(title) = self.title(styles) {
             let title = title.clone().unwrap_or_else(|| {
-                TextNode::packed(match TextNode::lang_in(styles) {
-                    Lang::GERMAN => "Inhaltsverzeichnis",
-                    Lang::ENGLISH | _ => "Contents",
-                })
+                TextNode::packed(self.local_name(TextNode::lang_in(styles)))
             });
 
             seq.push(
@@ -187,3 +184,12 @@ impl Show for OutlineNode {
         Ok(Content::sequence(seq))
     }
 }
+
+impl LocalName for OutlineNode {
+    fn local_name(&self, lang: Lang) -> &'static str {
+        match lang {
+            Lang::GERMAN => "Inhaltsverzeichnis",
+            Lang::ENGLISH | _ => "Contents",
+        }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/library/src/meta/reference.rs b/library/src/meta/reference.rs
index a46198bde..55f2fc6e4 100644
--- a/library/src/meta/reference.rs
+++ b/library/src/meta/reference.rs
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-use super::{HeadingNode, Numbering};
+use super::{FigureNode, HeadingNode, Numbering};
 use crate::prelude::*;
 use crate::text::TextNode;
 
@@ -92,7 +92,9 @@ impl Show for RefNode {
         };
 
         let mut prefix = match self.prefix(styles) {
-            Smart::Auto => prefix(target, TextNode::lang_in(styles))
+            Smart::Auto => target
+                .with::<dyn LocalName>()
+                .map(|node| node.local_name(TextNode::lang_in(styles)))
                 .map(TextNode::packed)
                 .unwrap_or_default(),
             Smart::Custom(None) => Content::empty(),
@@ -113,6 +115,13 @@ impl Show for RefNode {
             } else {
                 bail!(self.span(), "cannot reference unnumbered heading");
             }
+        } else if let Some(figure) = target.to::<FigureNode>() {
+            if let Some(numbering) = figure.numbering(StyleChain::default()) {
+                let number = figure.number().unwrap();
+                numbered(vt, prefix, &numbering, &[number])?
+            } else {
+                bail!(self.span(), "cannot reference unnumbered figure");
+            }
         } else {
             bail!(self.span(), "cannot reference {}", target.id().name);
         };
@@ -138,15 +147,8 @@ fn numbered(
         })
 }
 
-/// The default prefix.
-fn prefix(node: &Content, lang: Lang) -> Option<&str> {
-    if node.is::<HeadingNode>() {
-        match lang {
-            Lang::ENGLISH => Some("Section"),
-            Lang::GERMAN => Some("Abschnitt"),
-            _ => None,
-        }
-    } else {
-        None
-    }
+/// The named with which an element is referenced.
+pub trait LocalName {
+    /// Get the name in the given language.
+    fn local_name(&self, lang: Lang) -> &'static str;
 }
diff --git a/library/src/visualize/image.rs b/library/src/visualize/image.rs
index 78f477f69..29a04c96b 100644
--- a/library/src/visualize/image.rs
+++ b/library/src/visualize/image.rs
@@ -11,11 +11,13 @@ use crate::prelude::*;
 ///
 /// ## Example
 /// ```example
-/// #align(center)[
-///   #image("molecular.jpg", width: 80%)
-///   *A step in the molecular testing
-///    pipeline of our lab*
-/// ]
+/// #figure(
+///   image("molecular.jpg", width: 80%),
+///   caption: [
+///     A step in the molecular testing
+///     pipeline of our lab.
+///   ],
+/// )
 /// ```
 ///
 /// Display: Image
diff --git a/src/eval/func.rs b/src/eval/func.rs
index 8da5c6bc1..268542402 100644
--- a/src/eval/func.rs
+++ b/src/eval/func.rs
@@ -142,6 +142,14 @@ impl Func {
         self.select(Some(fields))
     }
 
+    /// The node id of this function if it is an element function.
+    pub fn id(&self) -> Option<NodeId> {
+        match **self.0 {
+            Repr::Node(id) => Some(id),
+            _ => None,
+        }
+    }
+
     /// Execute the function's set rule and return the resulting style map.
     pub fn set(&self, mut args: Args) -> SourceResult<StyleMap> {
         Ok(match &**self.0 {
@@ -156,16 +164,15 @@ impl Func {
 
     /// Create a selector for this function's node type.
     pub fn select(&self, fields: Option<Dict>) -> StrResult<Selector> {
-        match **self.0 {
-            Repr::Node(id) => {
-                if id == item!(text_id) {
-                    Err("to select text, please use a string or regex instead")?;
-                }
+        let Some(id) = self.id() else {
+            return Err("this function is not selectable".into());
+        };
 
-                Ok(Selector::Node(id, fields))
-            }
-            _ => Err("this function is not selectable")?,
+        if id == item!(text_id) {
+            Err("to select text, please use a string or regex instead")?;
         }
+
+        Ok(Selector::Node(id, fields))
     }
 }
 
@@ -196,10 +203,6 @@ impl From<NodeId> for Func {
     }
 }
 
-cast_to_value! {
-    v: NodeId => Value::Func(v.into())
-}
-
 /// A native Rust function.
 pub struct NativeFunc {
     /// The function's implementation.
diff --git a/src/model/content.rs b/src/model/content.rs
index be7373314..012ad05f9 100644
--- a/src/model/content.rs
+++ b/src/model/content.rs
@@ -10,7 +10,9 @@ use once_cell::sync::Lazy;
 
 use super::{node, Guard, Recipe, Style, StyleMap};
 use crate::diag::{SourceResult, StrResult};
-use crate::eval::{cast_from_value, Args, Cast, FuncInfo, Str, Value, Vm};
+use crate::eval::{
+    cast_from_value, cast_to_value, Args, Cast, Func, FuncInfo, Str, Value, Vm,
+};
 use crate::syntax::Span;
 use crate::util::pretty_array_like;
 use crate::World;
@@ -382,6 +384,15 @@ impl Deref for NodeId {
     }
 }
 
+cast_from_value! {
+    NodeId,
+    v: Func => v.id().ok_or("this function is not an element")?
+}
+
+cast_to_value! {
+    v: NodeId => Value::Func(v.into())
+}
+
 /// Static node for a node.
 pub struct NodeMeta {
     /// The node's name.
diff --git a/tests/ref/meta/figure.png b/tests/ref/meta/figure.png
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..b39f462fa
Binary files /dev/null and b/tests/ref/meta/figure.png differ
diff --git a/tests/typ/meta/figure.typ b/tests/typ/meta/figure.typ
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..567e04310
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/typ/meta/figure.typ
@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+// Test figures.
+
+---
+#set page(width: 150pt)
+#set figure(numbering: "I")
+
+We can clearly see that @fig-cylinder and
+@tab-complex are relevant in this context.
+
+#figure(
+  table(columns: 2)[a][b],
+  caption: [The basic table.],
+) <tab-basic>
+
+#figure(
+  pad(y: -11pt, image("/cylinder.svg", height: 3cm)),
+  caption: [The basic shapes.],
+  numbering: "I",
+) <fig-cylinder>
+
+#figure(
+  table(columns: 3)[a][b][c][d][e][f],
+  caption: [The complex table.],
+) <tab-complex>