CSS Grid or Flex? Let's Discover the Main Differences

In the world of web design, CSS Grid and Flexbox are two revolutionary technologies that have transformed the way developers create responsive and flexible layouts.

Published

19/03/2024

Reading Time

6 min

What is Flexbox?

Flexbox, or Flexible Box Layout, is a one-dimensional layout model designed to distribute space between elements in a container so they can dynamically adapt to device or screen dimensions. It's ideal for small layouts or application components where the main direction (horizontal or vertical) is a key factor

When to Use Flexbox

Navigation or toolbars: When elements need to be distributed with uniform space along a line Element alignment: Perfect for centering elements in a container or distributing them with uniform spacing Single component layouts: For example, cards or page sections that require flexible but simple layouts

CSS

.container {
  display: flex;
  justify-content: space-between; /* Distributes space evenly */
  align-items: center; /* Centers elements vertically */
}

CSS

.container {
  display: flex;
  justify-content: space-between; /* Distributes space evenly */
  align-items: center; /* Centers elements vertically */
}

What is CSS Grid?

CSS Grid is a two-dimensional layout model that allows you to manage both columns and rows, offering a powerful and flexible solution for building complex layouts. It's ideal for designing the entire structure of a page or application, thanks to its ability to create complex grid layouts with simplicity

When to Use CSS Grid

Page structure: When you need to divide a page into main areas or want to create complex layouts with overlapping areas. Grid layouts: Perfect for cases where you need to position elements in precise rows and columns. Responsive design: CSS Grid facilitates the creation of designs that adapt and reorganize based on screen size.

CSS

.container {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr); /* Creates three columns of the same size */
  grid-gap: 20px; /* Adds space between columns and rows */
}

CSS

.container {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr); /* Creates three columns of the same size */
  grid-gap: 20px; /* Adds space between columns and rows */
}

Flexbox and CSS Grid Together

Despite their differences, Flexbox and CSS Grid can work together harmoniously. Using them in combination allows you to leverage the strengths of both, creating complex and responsive layouts with less effort. For example, you might use CSS Grid to create the main structure of your page and Flexbox to manage specific components or sections within those grid areas

CSS

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

.flex-container {
  display: flex;
  justify-content: space-around;
}

CSS

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

.flex-container {
  display: flex;
  justify-content: space-around;
}