How is figurative language different from literal forms of speech

The answer is in the question! First of all Figurative means, "departing from a literal use of words; metaphorical." So based on that figurative language is metaphorical, while literal is ... literal (If you don't know what that means look up the word)

Figurative is different from literal because literal means the exact thing, and figurative is saying something that is not true or so.