Michael Roffman of Time called it "a defensive track that finds [Goulding] reasoning with her scorched paths", adding that Spencer's work with Jamiroquai or Kylie Minogue "injects a scenic quality that bludgeons with cinematic density.

"[3] Digital Spy's Lewis Corner noted the song "continues to explore Ellie's ascent into womanhood, centering around her experience of being left heartbroken by a former love over a buzzing dubstep bassline that vibrates with a gentle nod to the album's namesake.

"[1] Scott Shetler of PopCrush wrote, "Built around piano and electronics, 'Figure 8' has a moody vibe that matches its heartbreaking lyrics", while comparing it to Alex Clare's "Too Close", a song co-produced by Spencer.

[5] However, in a review of Halcyon, BBC Music's Ben Hewitt expressed, "Far from showing off her talents, the likes of 'Figure 8' and 'Atlantis' become bottomless pits filled with heavy-handed knob-twiddling.

[8] The song fared better in New Zealand, where it peaked at number seven, her highest-charting single in that country at that point, and was later certified platinum by Recorded Music NZ.