diff --git a/packages/ui/report.api.md b/packages/ui/report.api.md
index eeae948048..f11f9f88df 100644
--- a/packages/ui/report.api.md
+++ b/packages/ui/report.api.md
@@ -1283,7 +1283,35 @@ export const SubmenuTrigger: (props: SubmenuTriggerProps) => JSX_2.Element;
 export interface SubmenuTriggerProps extends SubmenuTriggerProps_2 {}
 
 // @public
-export type Surface = '0' | '1' | '2' | '3' | 'danger' | 'warning' | 'success';
+export type Surface =
+  | '0'
+  | '1'
+  | '2'
+  | '3'
+  | 'danger'
+  | 'warning'
+  | 'success'
+  | 'auto';
+
+// @public (undocumented)
+export interface SurfaceContextValue {
+  // (undocumented)
+  surface: Responsive<Surface> | undefined;
+}
+
+// @public
+export const SurfaceProvider: ({
+  surface,
+  children,
+}: SurfaceProviderProps) => JSX_2.Element;
+
+// @public (undocumented)
+export interface SurfaceProviderProps {
+  // (undocumented)
+  children: ReactNode;
+  // (undocumented)
+  surface: Responsive<Surface>;
+}
 
 // @public (undocumented)
 export const Switch: ForwardRefExoticComponent<
@@ -1591,6 +1619,15 @@ export const useBreakpoint: () => {
   down: (key: Breakpoint) => boolean;
 };
 
+// @public
+export const useSurface: (options?: UseSurfaceOptions) => SurfaceContextValue;
+
+// @public (undocumented)
+export interface UseSurfaceOptions {
+  onSurface?: Responsive<Surface>;
+  surface?: Responsive<Surface>;
+}
+
 // @public
 export function useTable<T = any>(
   config?: UseTableConfig<T>,
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/components/Box/Box.stories.tsx b/packages/ui/src/components/Box/Box.stories.tsx
index 4d64b5c560..db0c05a24b 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/components/Box/Box.stories.tsx
+++ b/packages/ui/src/components/Box/Box.stories.tsx
@@ -401,3 +401,35 @@ export const SurfacesNested = meta.story({
     </Flex>
   ),
 });
+
+export const SurfacesAutoIncrement = meta.story({
+  args: { px: '6', py: '4' },
+  render: args => (
+    <Flex direction="column">
+      <Box style={{ maxWidth: '600px' }} mb="4">
+        Using surface="auto" automatically increments from the parent surface
+        level. This makes components more reusable as they don't need to know
+        their absolute surface level. Notice how each nested Box with
+        surface="auto" automatically increments: 0 → 1 → 2 → 3 (capped at 3).
+      </Box>
+      <Box {...args} surface="0">
+        Surface 0 (explicit)
+        <Box {...args} surface="auto" mt="4">
+          <Box mb="3">Surface auto (becomes 1)</Box>
+          <Button variant="secondary" onSurface="auto">
+            Button auto
+          </Button>
+          <Box {...args} surface="auto" mt="4">
+            Surface auto (becomes 2)
+            <Box {...args} surface="auto" mt="4">
+              Surface auto (becomes 3)
+              <Box {...args} surface="auto" mt="4">
+                Surface auto (stays 3 - capped)
+              </Box>
+            </Box>
+          </Box>
+        </Box>
+      </Box>
+    </Flex>
+  ),
+});
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/components/Box/Box.tsx b/packages/ui/src/components/Box/Box.tsx
index 4864a27a0e..49e6fae201 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/components/Box/Box.tsx
+++ b/packages/ui/src/components/Box/Box.tsx
@@ -20,12 +20,21 @@ import clsx from 'clsx';
 import { useStyles } from '../../hooks/useStyles';
 import styles from './Box.module.css';
 import { BoxDefinition } from './definition';
-import { SurfaceProvider } from '../../hooks/useSurface';
+import { SurfaceProvider, useSurface } from '../../hooks/useSurface';
 
 /** @public */
 export const Box = forwardRef<HTMLDivElement, BoxProps>((props, ref) => {
+  // Resolve the surface this Box creates for its children
+  // Using 'surface' parameter = container behavior (auto increments)
+  const { surface: resolvedSurface } = useSurface({
+    surface: props.surface,
+  });
+
   const { classNames, dataAttributes, utilityClasses, style, cleanedProps } =
-    useStyles(BoxDefinition, props);
+    useStyles(BoxDefinition, {
+      ...props,
+      surface: resolvedSurface, // Use resolved surface for data attribute
+    });
 
   const { as = 'div', children, className, surface, ...rest } = cleanedProps;
 
@@ -43,8 +52,8 @@ export const Box = forwardRef<HTMLDivElement, BoxProps>((props, ref) => {
       ...dataAttributes,
       ...rest,
     },
-    surface ? (
-      <SurfaceProvider surface={surface}>{children}</SurfaceProvider>
+    resolvedSurface ? (
+      <SurfaceProvider surface={resolvedSurface}>{children}</SurfaceProvider>
     ) : (
       children
     ),
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/components/Button/Button.module.css b/packages/ui/src/components/Button/Button.module.css
index a68799ab7b..7c154b869e 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/components/Button/Button.module.css
+++ b/packages/ui/src/components/Button/Button.module.css
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@
       background-color: var(--bui-bg-neutral-on-surface-0-pressed);
     }
 
-    &[data-surface='1'] {
+    &[data-on-surface='1'] {
       background-color: var(--bui-bg-neutral-on-surface-1);
 
       &:hover {
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@
       }
     }
 
-    &[data-surface='2'] {
+    &[data-on-surface='2'] {
       background-color: var(--bui-bg-neutral-on-surface-2);
 
       &:hover {
@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@
       }
     }
 
-    &[data-surface='3'] {
+    &[data-on-surface='3'] {
       background-color: var(--bui-bg-neutral-on-surface-3);
 
       &:hover {
@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@
     background-color: transparent;
     color: var(--bui-fg-primary);
 
-    &[data-surface='0'] {
+    &[data-on-surface='0'] {
       &:hover {
         background-color: var(--bui-bg-neutral-on-surface-0-hover);
       }
@@ -143,7 +143,7 @@
       }
     }
 
-    &[data-surface='1'] {
+    &[data-on-surface='1'] {
       &:hover {
         background-color: var(--bui-bg-neutral-on-surface-1-hover);
       }
@@ -153,7 +153,7 @@
       }
     }
 
-    &[data-surface='2'] {
+    &[data-on-surface='2'] {
       &:hover {
         background-color: var(--bui-bg-neutral-on-surface-2-hover);
       }
@@ -163,7 +163,7 @@
       }
     }
 
-    &[data-surface='3'] {
+    &[data-on-surface='3'] {
       &:hover {
         background-color: var(--bui-bg-neutral-on-surface-3-hover);
       }
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/components/Button/Button.stories.tsx b/packages/ui/src/components/Button/Button.stories.tsx
index 0cc2fb2be0..3ddc937314 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/components/Button/Button.stories.tsx
+++ b/packages/ui/src/components/Button/Button.stories.tsx
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@
 import preview from '../../../../../.storybook/preview';
 import { Button } from './Button';
 import { Flex } from '../Flex';
+import { Box } from '../Box';
 import { Text } from '../Text';
 import { RiArrowRightSLine, RiCloudLine } from '@remixicon/react';
 import { useState } from 'react';
@@ -347,3 +348,52 @@ export const LoadingVariants = meta.story({
     </Flex>
   ),
 });
+
+export const OnSurfaceAuto = meta.story({
+  render: () => (
+    <Flex direction="column" gap="4">
+      <div style={{ maxWidth: '600px' }}>
+        Using onSurface="auto" on buttons inherits their container's surface
+        level, making them reusable. This is equivalent to not specifying
+        onSurface. To override, use explicit surface values like onSurface="0"
+        or onSurface="2".
+      </div>
+      <Box surface="0" p="4">
+        <Text>Surface 0 container</Text>
+        <Flex gap="2" mt="2">
+          <Button variant="secondary">Default (inherits 0)</Button>
+          <Button variant="secondary" onSurface="auto">
+            Auto (inherits 0)
+          </Button>
+          <Button variant="secondary" onSurface="1">
+            Explicit 1
+          </Button>
+        </Flex>
+      </Box>
+      <Box surface="1" p="4">
+        <Text>Surface 1 container</Text>
+        <Flex gap="2" mt="2">
+          <Button variant="secondary">Default (inherits 1)</Button>
+          <Button variant="secondary" onSurface="auto">
+            Auto (inherits 1)
+          </Button>
+          <Button variant="secondary" onSurface="2">
+            Explicit 2
+          </Button>
+        </Flex>
+      </Box>
+      <Box surface="2" p="4">
+        <Text>Surface 2 container</Text>
+        <Flex gap="2" mt="2">
+          <Button variant="secondary">Default (inherits 2)</Button>
+          <Button variant="secondary" onSurface="auto">
+            Auto (inherits 2)
+          </Button>
+          <Button variant="secondary" onSurface="3">
+            Explicit 3
+          </Button>
+        </Flex>
+      </Box>
+    </Flex>
+  ),
+});
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/components/Button/Button.tsx b/packages/ui/src/components/Button/Button.tsx
index b23bf3b197..2922d409bb 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/components/Button/Button.tsx
+++ b/packages/ui/src/components/Button/Button.tsx
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ export const Button = forwardRef(
         ref={ref}
         isPending={loading}
         {...dataAttributes}
-        {...(surface ? { 'data-surface': surface } : {})}
+        {...(surface ? { 'data-on-surface': surface } : {})}
         {...rest}
       >
         {({ isPending }) => (
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/components/Flex/Flex.stories.tsx b/packages/ui/src/components/Flex/Flex.stories.tsx
index 64c5dd0239..998d97bc0a 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/components/Flex/Flex.stories.tsx
+++ b/packages/ui/src/components/Flex/Flex.stories.tsx
@@ -279,3 +279,30 @@ export const Surfaces = meta.story({
     </Flex>
   ),
 });
+
+export const SurfacesAutoIncrement = meta.story({
+  args: { px: '6', py: '4', gap: '4' },
+  render: args => (
+    <Flex direction="column">
+      <div style={{ maxWidth: '600px', marginBottom: '16px' }}>
+        Using surface="auto" automatically increments from the parent surface.
+        This allows components to be reusable without hardcoding surface levels.
+      </div>
+      <Flex {...args} surface="0" direction="column">
+        <div>Surface 0 (explicit)</div>
+        <Flex {...args} surface="auto" direction="column">
+          <div>Surface auto (becomes 1)</div>
+          <Flex {...args} surface="auto" direction="column">
+            <div>Surface auto (becomes 2)</div>
+            <Flex {...args} surface="auto" direction="column">
+              <div>Surface auto (becomes 3)</div>
+              <Flex {...args} surface="auto" direction="column">
+                <div>Surface auto (stays 3 - capped)</div>
+              </Flex>
+            </Flex>
+          </Flex>
+        </Flex>
+      </Flex>
+    </Flex>
+  ),
+});
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/components/Flex/Flex.tsx b/packages/ui/src/components/Flex/Flex.tsx
index 6ad248d3a4..3d29408b2b 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/components/Flex/Flex.tsx
+++ b/packages/ui/src/components/Flex/Flex.tsx
@@ -20,12 +20,22 @@ import clsx from 'clsx';
 import { useStyles } from '../../hooks/useStyles';
 import { FlexDefinition } from './definition';
 import styles from './Flex.module.css';
-import { SurfaceProvider } from '../../hooks/useSurface';
+import { SurfaceProvider, useSurface } from '../../hooks/useSurface';
 
 /** @public */
 export const Flex = forwardRef<HTMLDivElement, FlexProps>((props, ref) => {
+  // Resolve the surface this Flex creates for its children
+  // Using 'surface' parameter = container behavior (auto increments)
+  const { surface: resolvedSurface } = useSurface({
+    surface: props.surface,
+  });
+
   const { classNames, dataAttributes, utilityClasses, style, cleanedProps } =
-    useStyles(FlexDefinition, { gap: '4', ...props });
+    useStyles(FlexDefinition, {
+      gap: '4',
+      ...props,
+      surface: resolvedSurface, // Use resolved surface for data attribute
+    });
 
   const { className, surface, ...rest } = cleanedProps;
 
@@ -44,8 +54,8 @@ export const Flex = forwardRef<HTMLDivElement, FlexProps>((props, ref) => {
     />
   );
 
-  return surface ? (
-    <SurfaceProvider surface={surface}>{content}</SurfaceProvider>
+  return resolvedSurface ? (
+    <SurfaceProvider surface={resolvedSurface}>{content}</SurfaceProvider>
   ) : (
     content
   );
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/components/Grid/Grid.stories.tsx b/packages/ui/src/components/Grid/Grid.stories.tsx
index c445b2ae0b..c75f4b7d1c 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/components/Grid/Grid.stories.tsx
+++ b/packages/ui/src/components/Grid/Grid.stories.tsx
@@ -182,3 +182,27 @@ export const Surfaces = meta.story({
     </Flex>
   ),
 });
+
+export const SurfacesAutoIncrement = meta.story({
+  args: { px: '6', py: '4', columns: '2', gap: '4' },
+  render: args => (
+    <Flex direction="column">
+      <div style={{ maxWidth: '600px', marginBottom: '16px' }}>
+        Using surface="auto" automatically increments from the parent surface.
+        Each Grid.Item with auto will be one level above its Grid.Root parent.
+      </div>
+      <Grid.Root {...args} surface="0">
+        <Grid.Item>Surface 0 (Grid.Root)</Grid.Item>
+        <Grid.Item surface="auto">Surface auto (becomes 1)</Grid.Item>
+        <Grid.Item>
+          <Grid.Root {...args} surface="auto">
+            <Grid.Item>Nested: Surface auto (becomes 1)</Grid.Item>
+            <Grid.Item surface="auto">
+              Nested: Surface auto (becomes 2)
+            </Grid.Item>
+          </Grid.Root>
+        </Grid.Item>
+      </Grid.Root>
+    </Flex>
+  ),
+});
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/components/Grid/Grid.tsx b/packages/ui/src/components/Grid/Grid.tsx
index b2fc401ca8..52dd22167e 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/components/Grid/Grid.tsx
+++ b/packages/ui/src/components/Grid/Grid.tsx
@@ -20,11 +20,22 @@ import type { GridItemProps, GridProps } from './types';
 import { useStyles } from '../../hooks/useStyles';
 import { GridDefinition, GridItemDefinition } from './definition';
 import styles from './Grid.module.css';
-import { SurfaceProvider } from '../../hooks/useSurface';
+import { SurfaceProvider, useSurface } from '../../hooks/useSurface';
 
 const GridRoot = forwardRef<HTMLDivElement, GridProps>((props, ref) => {
+  // Resolve the surface this Grid creates for its children
+  // Using 'surface' parameter = container behavior (auto increments)
+  const { surface: resolvedSurface } = useSurface({
+    surface: props.surface,
+  });
+
   const { classNames, dataAttributes, utilityClasses, style, cleanedProps } =
-    useStyles(GridDefinition, { columns: 'auto', gap: '4', ...props });
+    useStyles(GridDefinition, {
+      columns: 'auto',
+      gap: '4',
+      ...props,
+      surface: resolvedSurface, // Use resolved surface for data attribute
+    });
 
   const { className, surface, ...rest } = cleanedProps;
 
@@ -43,16 +54,25 @@ const GridRoot = forwardRef<HTMLDivElement, GridProps>((props, ref) => {
     />
   );
 
-  return surface ? (
-    <SurfaceProvider surface={surface}>{content}</SurfaceProvider>
+  return resolvedSurface ? (
+    <SurfaceProvider surface={resolvedSurface}>{content}</SurfaceProvider>
   ) : (
     content
   );
 });
 
 const GridItem = forwardRef<HTMLDivElement, GridItemProps>((props, ref) => {
+  // Resolve the surface this GridItem creates for its children
+  // Using 'surface' parameter = container behavior (auto increments)
+  const { surface: resolvedSurface } = useSurface({
+    surface: props.surface,
+  });
+
   const { classNames, dataAttributes, utilityClasses, style, cleanedProps } =
-    useStyles(GridItemDefinition, props);
+    useStyles(GridItemDefinition, {
+      ...props,
+      surface: resolvedSurface, // Use resolved surface for data attribute
+    });
 
   const { className, surface, ...rest } = cleanedProps;
 
@@ -71,8 +91,8 @@ const GridItem = forwardRef<HTMLDivElement, GridItemProps>((props, ref) => {
     />
   );
 
-  return surface ? (
-    <SurfaceProvider surface={surface}>{content}</SurfaceProvider>
+  return resolvedSurface ? (
+    <SurfaceProvider surface={resolvedSurface}>{content}</SurfaceProvider>
   ) : (
     content
   );
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/hooks/useSurface.tsx b/packages/ui/src/hooks/useSurface.tsx
index 4a2bacfd35..c5c5e4d862 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/hooks/useSurface.tsx
+++ b/packages/ui/src/hooks/useSurface.tsx
@@ -30,6 +30,19 @@ export interface SurfaceProviderProps {
 
 /** @public */
 export interface UseSurfaceOptions {
+  /**
+   * The surface value this component CREATES for its children (container behavior).
+   * When 'auto', increments from parent surface.
+   *
+   * Use this for components like Box, Flex, Grid that establish surface context.
+   */
+  surface?: Responsive<Surface>;
+  /**
+   * The surface value this component is ON for styling (leaf behavior).
+   * When 'auto', inherits from current surface.
+   *
+   * Use this for leaf components like Button that consume surface for styling.
+   */
   onSurface?: Responsive<Surface>;
 }
 
@@ -37,10 +50,108 @@ const SurfaceContext = createContext<SurfaceContextValue>({
   surface: undefined,
 });
 
+/**
+ * Increments a surface level by one, capping at '3'.
+ * Intent surfaces (danger, warning, success) remain unchanged.
+ *
+ * @internal
+ */
+function incrementSurface(surface: Surface | undefined): Surface {
+  if (!surface) return '0'; // no context = root level
+  if (surface === '0') return '1';
+  if (surface === '1') return '2';
+  if (surface === '2' || surface === '3') return '3'; // cap at max
+  // Intent surfaces remain unchanged
+  if (surface === 'danger') return 'danger';
+  if (surface === 'warning') return 'warning';
+  if (surface === 'success') return 'success';
+  // 'auto' should not appear here, but handle it defensively
+  if (surface === 'auto') return '1';
+  return surface;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Resolves a surface value for containers (SurfaceProvider).
+ * When 'auto' is used, increments from the parent surface.
+ * For responsive surfaces (objects), returns them as-is without resolution.
+ *
+ * @param contextSurface - The surface from context
+ * @param requestedSurface - The requested surface value (may be 'auto')
+ * @returns The resolved surface value
+ * @public
+ */
+export function resolveSurfaceForProvider(
+  contextSurface: Responsive<Surface> | undefined,
+  requestedSurface: Responsive<Surface> | undefined,
+): Responsive<Surface> | undefined {
+  if (!requestedSurface) {
+    return contextSurface;
+  }
+
+  // If requestedSurface is a responsive object (breakpoint-based), return as-is
+  if (typeof requestedSurface === 'object') {
+    return requestedSurface;
+  }
+
+  // If contextSurface is a responsive object, we can't auto-increment from it
+  // Return the requested surface as-is or default to '0' for auto
+  if (typeof contextSurface === 'object') {
+    if (requestedSurface === 'auto') {
+      return '0'; // fallback to root when context is responsive
+    }
+    return requestedSurface;
+  }
+
+  // For containers, 'auto' means increment to create a new elevated context
+  if (requestedSurface === 'auto') {
+    return incrementSurface(contextSurface);
+  }
+
+  return requestedSurface;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Resolves a surface value for leaf components (useSurface hook).
+ * When 'auto' is used, inherits the current surface (doesn't increment).
+ * For responsive surfaces (objects), returns them as-is without resolution.
+ *
+ * @param contextSurface - The surface from context
+ * @param requestedSurface - The requested surface value (may be 'auto')
+ * @returns The resolved surface value
+ * @internal
+ */
+function resolveSurfaceForConsumer(
+  contextSurface: Responsive<Surface> | undefined,
+  requestedSurface: Responsive<Surface> | undefined,
+): Responsive<Surface> | undefined {
+  if (!requestedSurface) {
+    return contextSurface;
+  }
+
+  // If requestedSurface is a responsive object (breakpoint-based), return as-is
+  if (typeof requestedSurface === 'object') {
+    return requestedSurface;
+  }
+
+  // For leaf components, 'auto' means inherit the current surface
+  if (requestedSurface === 'auto') {
+    // If context is responsive, fallback to '0'
+    if (typeof contextSurface === 'object') {
+      return '0';
+    }
+    return contextSurface;
+  }
+
+  return requestedSurface;
+}
+
 /**
  * Provider component that establishes the surface context for child components.
  * This allows components to adapt their styling based on their background surface.
  *
+ * Note: The surface value should already be resolved before passing to this provider.
+ * Container components should use useSurface with the surface parameter.
+ *
  * @public
  */
 export const SurfaceProvider = ({
@@ -58,15 +169,29 @@ export const SurfaceProvider = ({
  * Hook to access the current surface context.
  * Returns the current surface level, or undefined if no provider is present.
  *
- * @param options - Optional configuration
- * @param options.onSurface - Override the context surface with a specific surface value
+ * The parameter name determines the behavior:
+ * - `surface`: Container behavior - 'auto' increments from parent
+ * - `onSurface`: Leaf behavior - 'auto' inherits from parent
+ *
+ * @param options - Optional configuration for surface resolution
  * @public
  */
 export const useSurface = (
   options?: UseSurfaceOptions,
 ): SurfaceContextValue => {
   const context = useContext(SurfaceContext);
+
+  // Infer behavior from which parameter is provided
+  // 'surface' = provider behavior (increment)
+  // 'onSurface' = consumer behavior (inherit)
+  const isProvider = options?.surface !== undefined;
+  const requestedSurface = options?.surface ?? options?.onSurface;
+
+  const resolvedSurface = isProvider
+    ? resolveSurfaceForProvider(context.surface, requestedSurface)
+    : resolveSurfaceForConsumer(context.surface, requestedSurface);
+
   return {
-    surface: options?.onSurface || context.surface,
+    surface: resolvedSurface,
   };
 };
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/index.ts b/packages/ui/src/index.ts
index 03ae3245e3..d8a1c55f12 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/index.ts
+++ b/packages/ui/src/index.ts
@@ -59,3 +59,9 @@ export * from './types';
 
 // Hooks
 export { useBreakpoint } from './hooks/useBreakpoint';
+export { useSurface, SurfaceProvider } from './hooks/useSurface';
+export type {
+  SurfaceContextValue,
+  SurfaceProviderProps,
+  UseSurfaceOptions,
+} from './hooks/useSurface';
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/types.ts b/packages/ui/src/types.ts
index 8630dd1f44..3b7c359dc5 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/types.ts
+++ b/packages/ui/src/types.ts
@@ -176,6 +176,18 @@ export interface ComponentDefinition {
 
 /**
  * Surface type
+ *
+ * Supports absolute levels ('0'-'3'), intent surfaces ('danger', 'warning', 'success'),
+ * and 'auto' which increments from the parent surface context.
+ *
  * @public
  */
-export type Surface = '0' | '1' | '2' | '3' | 'danger' | 'warning' | 'success';
+export type Surface =
+  | '0'
+  | '1'
+  | '2'
+  | '3'
+  | 'danger'
+  | 'warning'
+  | 'success'
+  | 'auto';