Flexbox and Grid are two major layout systems of CSS that provide different ways of doing responsiveness to web layouts. Both tools are very useful and learning when and how to implement any of them can definitely improve your workflow when it comes to web development.
What is Flexbox?
Flexbox is a layout model that works in one direction that is along the horizontal line and it helps in placing the items along the direction of the line. Flexbox is all about handling out layouts in a dimension, that is, either horizontally or vertically.
Key Features:
Directionality: Each of the containers laid out with flexbox can be aligned either horizontally, or vertically across the rows.
Alignment: With Mistral Extreme, you can always flush items with main axis or cross axis.
Reordering: As for stores, products can be restocked and space can be allocated without much problem.
Flexible Sizes: In flexbox, elements are made to fit into the available space or conversely items are made to reduce in size where necessary.
Basic Example:
<div class=”flex-container”>
<div class=”flex-item”>Item 1</div>
<div class=”flex-item”>Item 2</div>
<div class=”flex-item”>Item 3</div>
</div>
<style>
. flex-container {
display: flex;
justify-content: space-between;
}
. flex-item {
flex: 1;
margin: 10px;
background-color: lightblue;
}
</style>
In this case, the ` can be used in the following ways: `flex-container` is a flexbox container, and it’s children `. flex-item` are flex items. They are aligned in a way that the center of each of the items is evenly provided with space in between.
What is Grid?
CSS Grid Layout (Grid) is a two-dimensional layout system that will help you create complex grid layout. Still, in Grid, you can define rows with numbers and lettering in columns, putting items in cells or extending them across several cells.
Key Features:
Two-Dimensional Layout: Grid gives you the flexibility of putting all of the constraints within the same row and/or within the same column.
Precise Placement: Orgs you can place objects in such positions on grids making it less difficult to come up with the best designs.
Layering: One key feature is that the items can overlap one with the other and this makes for more elaborate designs.
Template Areas: There are special ways of defining grid references which are easy to remember.
Basic Example:
<div class=”grid-container”>
<div class=”grid-item”>Item 1</div>
<div class=”grid-item”>Item 2</div>
<div class=”grid-item”>Item 3</div>
<div class=”grid-item”>Item 4</div>
</div>
<style>
. grid-container {
display: grid;
grid-template-columns: repeat(2, 1fr);
gap: 10px;
}
. grid-item {
background-color: lightgreen;
padding: 20px;
}
</style>
The letter ‘.’ or the period is used in this case through the meaning is not different from signifying the ending of the word as shown below: grid-container: is a grid container while `. grid-item` : is a grid item. The container is two-part and so are the items; these are arranged one in the other in the two different areas.
Flexbox vs. Grid: Main Differences
Dimension:
Flexbox: Single row or single column of any other number of dimensions.
Grid: Two way only which are rows and columns.
Use Cases:
Flexbox: Most suitable for arrangements with little branching or complex geometry, where objects have to be arranged along one axis only. Great when used in navigation bars, when displaying items within a panel or arranging numerous elements in a row or a column.
Grid: Suites for situations where page will have many rows and/or columns because it create complicated layout. Designed for general page layouts, the dashboard, or any design in which elements need to be aligned in both rows and columns.
Flexibility:
Flexbox: It is well suited to free form layout, for items can expand or contract to fit a given area, but when one has to layout an area in both width and depth the complexity goes up.
Grid: Offers Fine control than before in a second plane to set an object anywhere in the chart as well for an added order in managing charts and scatters, especially in the intricate arrangements.
Content vs. Layout:
Flexbox: More often than not content initiated – items change with the content and the box it has to fit into.
Grid: Pursued by the positioning – items are positioned based on the outlined grid, regardless the content size of an element.
When to Use Flexbox
Single-Dimensional Layouts: Flexbox should be used when the alignments are needed only in one line, either horizontal or vertical.
Simple Alignments: Flexbox is good to center items, space or align elements in a easy way.
Small-Scale Components: Best utilized in small UI features, such as navigation bars, buttons, or for helping to horizontally align text inside of a container.
Content-Driven Layouts: Where your layout depends on the size of the content, Flexbox has a way elements can grow or even shrink.
Example Use Case:
<nav class=”navbar”>
<a href=”#” class=”nav-item”>Home</a>
<a href=”#” class=”nav-item”>About</a>
<a href=”#” class=”nav-item”>Contact</a>
</nav>
<style>
. navbar {
display: flex;
justify-content: space-around;
background-color: #333;
padding: 10px;
}
. nav-item {
color: white;
text-decoration: none;
padding: 5px 10px;
}
</style>
For this example, the same Flexbox has been used again and has made the nav items evenly distribute itself on the horizontal line.
When to Use Grid
Complex Layouts: Use Grid when you require the rectangular rows and columns that cover the multiple areas to be more complex.
Page Layouts: Grid is most suitable when creating the general layout of the page where the location of some components is paramount.
Template-Based Layouts: When it need a precise structure grid called with the names of specific zones or when used templates should be the same throughout a site.
Two-Dimensional Control: If one requires more explicit control of both horizontal and the vertical alignment then Grid is ideal.
Example Use Case:
<div class=”grid-layout”>
<header class=”header”>Header</header>
<aside class=”sidebar”>Sidebar</aside>
<main class=”main”>Main Content</main>
<footer class=”footer”>Footer</footer>
</div>
<style>
. grid-layout {
display: grid;
grid-template-areas:
“header header”
“sidebar main”
“footer footer”;
grid-template-columns: 1fr 3fr;
gap: 10px;
}
. header {
grid-area: header;
background-color: #333;
color: white;
padding: 20px;
}
. sidebar {
grid-area: sidebar;
background-color: lightgray;
padding: 20px;
}
. main {
grid-area: main;
padding: 20px;
background-color: white;
}
. footer {
grid-area: footer;
background-color: #333;
color: white;
padding: 20px;
}
</style>
In this example, the Grid function is used in order to layout the page with a header, a sidebar, a main content area and a footer. The use of a grid system is helpful because it helps to place each area precisely where it is suppose to be on the developed page.
Combining Flexbox and Grid
Still, in most of the projects, it is possible to find the utilization of both the Flexbox and the Grid. For instance; you can apply Grid for the general structure of the webpage and at the same time apply Flexbox on the elements placed in that grid.
Example:
<div class=”page-layout”>
<header class=”header”>Header</header>
<nav class=”nav”>
<div class=”nav-item”>Item 1</div>
<div class=”nav-item”>Item 2</div>
<div class=”nav-item”>Item 3</div>
</nav>
<main class=”content”>Main Content</main>
</div>
<style>
. page-layout {
display: grid;
grid-template-columns: 1fr 3fr;
gap: 10px;
}
. header {
grid-column: span 2;
background-color: #333;
color: white;
padding: 20px;
}
. nav {
display: flex;
justify-content: space-around;
background-color: lightgray;
padding: 10px;
}
. nav-item {
background-color: white;
padding: 10px;
border-radius: 5px;
}
. content {
background-color: white;
padding: 20px;
}
</style>
In this case Grid is utilized to carry page layouts while Flexbox is utilized inside the navigation bar to set alignments for the navigation options.
Conclusion
Flexbox and Grid are two of the most important technologies for developing responsive websites and both of them are great at what they do. Flexbox is most suitable to be used in one-dimensional layouts while Grid is most suitable in two-dimensional layouts. Recognising their advantages, one can use one for particular tasks, or both of them to develop sophisticated, elastic, and visually perceptible websites.