When to Use Grid vs Flexbox
Both CSS Grid and Flexbox are powerful layout tools, but they solve different problems. Grid is ideal for 2D layouts (rows AND columns), while Flexbox excels at 1D layouts (rows OR columns).
CSS Grid Layout
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.container {
display: grid;
grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr);
gap: 10px;
}Best For:
Overall page layout, magazine-style designs, complex 2D arrangements
Flexbox Layout
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Item 2
Item 3
.container {
display: flex;
justify-content: space-between;
align-items: center;
}Best For:
Navigation bars, card components, centering elements, responsive rows/columns
Key Differences at a Glance
| Feature | CSS Grid | Flexbox |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensionality | Two-dimensional (rows & columns) | One-dimensional (row OR column) |
| Content vs Layout | Layout-first approach | Content-first approach |
| Alignment Control | Precise control over both axes | Main axis + cross axis alignment |
| Use Case | Overall page structure | Component-level layout |