CSS Grid vs Flexbox

Understanding CSS Layout Systems

CSS Grid and Flexbox are two powerful layout systems that have revolutionized how we create layouts on the web. While they can sometimes achieve similar results, they each have their strengths and ideal use cases.

What is Flexbox?

Flexbox (Flexible Box Layout) is a one-dimensional layout method for laying out items in rows or columns. Items flex to fill additional space and shrink to fit into smaller spaces.

What is CSS Grid?

CSS Grid Layout is a two-dimensional layout system for the web. It lets you lay content out in rows and columns, and has many features that make building complex layouts straightforward.

When to Use Flexbox

• One-dimensional layouts (either row or column)
• Content-first design (size based on content)
• Distributing space within a container
• Aligning items within a container

When to Use CSS Grid

• Two-dimensional layouts (both rows and columns)
• Layout-first design (content fits into layout)
• Complex layouts with overlapping elements
• Creating consistent spacing and alignment

Can They Work Together?

Absolutely! Grid and Flexbox are not mutually exclusive. You can use Grid for the overall page layout and Flexbox for component layouts, or vice versa.

.flex-container {
  display: flex;
  justify-content: space-between;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 1rem;
}

.flex-item {
  flex: 1;
  padding: 1rem;
}

.grid-container {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr);
  grid-template-rows: auto;
  gap: 1rem;
}

.grid-item {
  padding: 1rem;
  border: 1px solid #ccc;
}