CSS Layout: Flexbox & Grid

Flexbox vs Grid

Flexbox is one-dimensional (row or column) and ideal for distributing items along a single axis. Grid is two-dimensional (rows and columns) and suited for complex page layouts. Use both together for maximum flexibility.

Flexbox Essentials

.container {
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: row;       /* row | column */
  justify-content: center;   /* main axis alignment */
  align-items: center;       /* cross axis alignment */
  gap: 1rem;                 /* spacing between items */
  flex-wrap: wrap;           /* allow wrapping */
}

.item {
  flex: 1;                   /* grow to fill space */
  flex-shrink: 0;            /* prevent shrinking */
  flex-basis: 200px;         /* initial size */
}

Grid Essentials

.container {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr);  /* 3 equal columns */
  grid-template-rows: auto 1fr auto;      /* header, content, footer */
  gap: 1rem;
}

.item {
  grid-column: 1 / 3;       /* span columns 1-2 */
  grid-row: 2;               /* place in row 2 */
}

/* Responsive without media queries */
grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fit, minmax(250px, 1fr));

When to Use Each

• Flexbox: Navigation bars, toolbars, card rows, centering content, distributing space
• Grid: Page layouts, dashboards, image galleries, form layouts, any 2D arrangement
• Both: Grid for the overall layout, Flexbox for components within grid cells

Common Patterns

/* Holy Grail Layout (Grid) */
.page {
  display: grid;
  grid-template: "header header" auto
                 "sidebar main"  1fr
                 "footer footer" auto / 250px 1fr;
}

/* Centered card (Flexbox) */
.wrapper {
  display: flex;
  justify-content: center;
  align-items: center;
  min-height: 100vh;
}

Experiment visually with our Flexbox Playground and CSS Grid Generator.