CSS Grid vs Flexbox: Choosing the Right Layout Tool

Summary

Quick guidance for choosing between the two layout systems and practical examples to apply in real projects.

When to choose which

• Use Flexbox for one-dimensional layouts (single row or column): navbars, toolbar controls, inline lists, simple card rows.
• Use Grid for two-dimensional layouts (rows and columns together): page layouts, dashboards, image galleries, complex component alignment.
• Combine both: use Grid for the overall page skeleton and Flexbox inside components for fine control.

Visual comparison

• Axis control: Flexbox controls a single axis; Grid controls both axes.
• Content flow: Flexbox flows content and is ideal for dynamic content size; Grid places items based on explicit rows/columns.
• Alignment: Grid offers fine-grained placement (start, end, span); Flexbox excels at distributing space and aligning items along a single axis.

Practical Flexbox example

Simple horizontally-centered card row with equal spacing.

<!-- HTML -->
<div class="cards">
  <div class="card">A</div>
  <div class="card">B</div>
  <div class="card">C</div>
</div>

.cards {
  display: flex;
  gap: 1rem;
  justify-content: center; /* center horizontally */
  align-items: stretch;
  flex-wrap: wrap;
}
.card {
  flex: 1 1 200px; /* grow, shrink, base width */
  min-width: 180px;
  padding: 1rem;
  border: 1px solid #ddd;
}

Practical Grid example

Responsive 3-column layout with header, sidebar, main content, and footer.

<div class="grid">
  <div>1</div>
  <div>2</div>
  <div>3</div>
  <div>4</div>
  <div>5</div>
</div>

/* CSS */
.grid {
  display: grid;
  gap: 1rem;
  grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr);
}
@media (max-width: 900px) {
  .grid { grid-template-columns: repeat(2, 1fr); }
}
@media (max-width: 600px) {
  .grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }
}

Combining Grid and Flexbox

Use Grid for the overall layout and Flexbox for internal component alignment.

<div class="layout">
  <header>Header</header>
  <main class="content">
    <section class="panel">
      <div class="panel-header">Title</div>
      <div class="panel-body">Controls and items</div>
    </section>
    <aside>Sidebar</aside>
  </main>
  <footer>Footer</footer>
</div>

.layout {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-rows: auto 1fr auto;
  grid-template-columns: 1fr 320px;
  gap: 1rem;
}
.content { grid-column: 1 / span 2; display: grid; grid-template-columns: 1fr 320px; gap: 1rem; }
.panel-body { display: flex; gap: .5rem; align-items: center; } /* Flexbox inside Grid */

Responsive & Accessibility Tips

• Prefer fluid units (%, fr, rem) and use media queries sparingly with min-width breakpoints.
• Ensure focus order follows DOM order; visual placement with Grid should not confuse keyboard users.
• Use gap instead of margins when possible for consistent spacing.
• Test with reduced-motion and high-contrast modes.

Performance & browser support

• Both Grid and Flexbox are well supported in modern browsers. Check caniuse.com for any legacy requirements.
• Layout performance is generally comparable; prefer simpler layouts to avoid unnecessary reflows.

Common patterns

• Card lists: Flexbox for rows, Grid for gallery-like displays.
• Toolbars: Flexbox for alignment and space distribution.
• Complex dashboards: Grid for major regions, Flexbox for controls within widgets.

Further resources

• MDN: guides for CSS Grid and Flexbox
• CSS Tricks: practical recipes and patterns
• caniuse.com: browser compatibility matrix

Conclusion

Use the simplest tool that solves the layout problem. Flexbox for linear alignment and distribution, Grid for two-dimensional structure. Combine them to get predictable, maintainable, and responsive layouts.