Layout — Flexbox & Grid

Modern layout systems for responsive, powerful designs

Flexbox

Flexbox is a one-dimensional layout system — arrange items in a row or column with powerful alignment and distribution.

css
// Flexbox Patterns
/* Center anything */
.center {
  display: flex;
  justify-content: center;  /* main axis */
  align-items: center;      /* cross axis */
}

/* Navbar: logo left, links right */
.navbar {
  display: flex;
  justify-content: space-between;
  align-items: center;
}

/* Responsive card row */
.cards {
  display: flex;
  flex-wrap: wrap;
  gap: 1rem;
}
.card {
  flex: 1 1 300px; /* grow shrink basis */
  min-width: 0;    /* prevent overflow */
}

/* Holy grail layout */
.page {
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  min-height: 100vh;
}
.page main { flex: 1; }

CSS Grid

css
// Grid Patterns
/* Basic grid */
.grid {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr;
  gap: 1rem;
}

/* Named areas */
.layout {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-areas:
    "header header"
    "sidebar main"
    "footer footer";
  grid-template-columns: 250px 1fr;
}
.header  { grid-area: header; }
.sidebar { grid-area: sidebar; }
.main    { grid-area: main; }

/* Auto-responsive grid — no media queries needed */
.gallery {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fit, minmax(250px, 1fr));
  gap: 1rem;
}

/* Center with grid */
.center { display: grid; place-items: center; }

💬 When to use Flexbox vs Grid?

Flexbox = one-dimensional (row OR column). Best for component layouts, navbars, card rows. Grid = two-dimensional (rows AND columns). Best for page layouts, complex grids, overlapping elements. Often used together.