CSS · Chapter 41 of 44
Flexbox vs Grid
Flexbox is best for one-dimensional layouts (a single row or column), while CSS Grid excels at two-dimensional layouts (rows and columns together).
Many real interfaces use both: Grid for the overall page structure, and Flexbox for aligning content within individual components.
Syntax
display: flex; /* 1D */
display: grid; /* 2D */When to use Flexbox
Choose flexbox for navbars, button groups, and any layout that flows in a single direction and needs flexible sizing along that line.
When to use Grid
Choose grid for page layouts with header/sidebar/main/footer regions, or any design needing explicit control over rows and columns together.
Example 1 (css)
.page {
display: grid;
grid-template-columns: 200px 1fr;
}
.navbar {
display: flex;
justify-content: space-between;
}Output
A grid-based page layout containing a flexbox navbar inside itGrid handles the two-dimensional page structure while flexbox aligns the one-dimensional navbar content.
Key points
- Flexbox suits one-dimensional layouts (row or column).
- Grid suits two-dimensional layouts (rows and columns together).
- They can be combined: grid for structure, flex for components.
- Choosing the right tool simplifies your CSS significantly.
💡 Note: Neither replaces the other entirely — most real projects use both.