CSS Grid Vs. Flexbox: A Tutorial to Understand the Key Differences

Cascading Style Sheets is a style sheet language used to design the look and formatting of a document written in a markup language. It is commonly used with HTML to change the style of user interfaces, and web pages. In this tutorial, you will look into and understand the differences between CSS Grid and Flexbox Layout.

CSS Grid Layout

The CSS Grid Layout is a two-dimensional grid-based layout system with rows and columns. It is useful in creating more complex and organized layouts.

To define a grid container, you will have to pass a display: grid property to your element. 

CSS Flexbox

The CSS Flexbox is a one-dimensional layout. It is useful in allocating and aligning the space among items in a grid container. It works with various kinds of display devices and screen sizes. Flex layout makes it easier to design and build responsive web pages without using many float and position properties in the CSS code.

To start using Flexbox, you have to create a flex container using the display: flex property. Every element inside the particular flex container will act as a flex item.

One vs. Two Dimension

Flexbox is made for one-dimensional layouts, and the Grid is made for two-dimensional layouts. It means Flexbox can work on either rows or columns at a time, but Grids can work on both.

Want a Top Software Development Job? Start Here!

Full Stack Developer - MERN StackExplore Program

Content-First vs. Layout-First

Another major difference between the two is that Flexbox takes a basis in the content while Grid takes a basis in the layout.

Let’s look at an example to understand it better.

Here the content inside the box does not stretch automatically according to the content.

In the flex item, the box stretches as far as the content goes. 

Usage of Grid and Flexbox

You should consider using grid layout when: 

• You have a complex design to work with and want maintainable web pages
• You want to add gaps over the block elements

You should consider using flexbox when:

• You have a small design to work with a few rows and columns
• You need to align the element
• You don’t know how your content will look on the page, and you want everything to fit in.

Want a Top Software Development Job? Start Here!

Full Stack Developer - MERN StackExplore Program

Uniqueness in Grid and Flexbox

Flexbox and Grid are two powerful CSS tools that allow for a unique level of customization in modern web design. Flexbox allows developers to create a flexible grid layout, while Grid enables them to develop complex and responsive strategies that are easy to manage and maintain. These two tools provide a unique level of control over the design of a website and can be used to create unique and visually stunning designs quickly. They are becoming increasingly popular with developers as they make it easy to create aesthetically pleasing and functional layouts.

Grid and Flexbox are popular front-end design systems that create stunning, responsive user interfaces. Both of these technologies have unique benefits, but they also work differently. Grid provides a column-based system that can create layouts quickly and easily, while Flexbox offers greater flexibility by allowing elements to be moved around on the page as needed. While both can be used to significant effect, it’s essential to understand how each works to make the most of them.

One Vs. Two Dimension

Grid and Flexbox each have unique advantages when it comes to the creation of two-dimensional and one-dimensional designs. 

Grid utilizes a two-dimensional system that allows placing items in rows and columns, making it easier to create complex layouts. On the other hand,

Flexbox is a one-dimensional system that works with elements placed in a linear order. It is more flexible than Grid, allowing elements to be shifted and moved around on the page as necessary.

Learn 15+ In-Demand Tools and Skills!

Automation Testing Masters ProgramExplore Program

Difference Between CSS Grid and CSS Flexbox

The Difference between CSS Grid and CSS Flexbox is:

• Dimensionality and Flexibility: CSS Grid and Flexbox are popular web design tools used to design responsive sites. The primary difference between them is the dimensionality that they offer. CSS Grid provides two-dimensional layout capabilities, allowing for elements to be arranged horizontally and vertically. On the other hand, CSS Flexbox provides flexibility, allowing for elements to be placed on a single axis, either horizontally or vertically. With these tools, developers can create intricate, responsive web designs that provide incredible dimensionality and flexibility. CSS Grid is a two-dimensional layout system that allows users to design and build structures that are otherwise impossible with traditional HTML and CSS. On the other hand, CSS Flexbox is a one-dimensional layout system that offers users the ability to structure their web designs in a more dynamic and responsive way than ever before.
•  Alignment:  Aligning elements on a web page can be done in various ways, but CSS Grid and CSS Flexbox are two of the most popular methods. When comparing the two, the main difference is that CSS Grid is better suited for creating two-dimensional layouts, while CSS Flexbox is better for one-dimensional designs. Moreover, using CSS Grid, elements are positioned using numerical coordinates, whereas Flexbox uses relative positioning and margins. This makes it easier to adjust the dimensions of individual elements when using Flexbox.
•  Item Management: When it comes to item management, Flexbox and Grid both have their advantages. With Flexbox, it is easier to manipulate the size and position of elements and change the order of stuff on the page. On the other hand, a grid provides a powerful way to create structured layouts using numerical coordinates and allows for more precise placement of elements in a two-dimensional space. Ultimately, the choice between CSS Grid and CSS Flexbox depends on the requirements of a particular project and the desired result.

 With Grid, items are located by numerical coordinates and can be rearranged easily by simply changing the coordinates. In addition, items can be resized and repositioned quickly and easily. On the other hand, Flexbox is more challenging to manage because items are placed relative to each other, and margins must be adjusted to rearrange things.

For example, one of the advantages of using Flexbox is that it is easier to manage items on the page. Whereas CSS Grid requires manually defining the size and positioning of each element, Flexbox simplifies this process by automatically adjusting margins and positioning of elements relative to each other. As a result, a Flexbox layout often requires less code to achieve the desired effect, making it more manageable in larger projects. Flexbox makes it easier to shift elements around when a page is resized, allowing for a more responsive design.

Learn right from the basics of JavaScript to advanced concepts of Angular, Spring Boot, Hibernate, JSPs, MVC, etc. Enroll in our PGP in Full Stack Web Development today!

Conclusion

In this CSS Grid vs Flexbox tutorial, you have looked into the differences between CSS Grid and Flexbox layout, how they function in modern browsers. With the right amount of practice, you can master both the layouts and create impressive web pages.

Simplilearn’s  Post Graduate Program in Full Stack Web Development course which is in collaboration with Caltech CTME is all in one course to master the technologies of Full Stack Web Development. This certification course will give you complete knowledge of the tech stack required to start your journey as a developer.

If you have any questions or feedback regarding the CSS Grid vs Flexbox tutorial, let us know in the comments section. Our experts will get back to you on the same, as soon as possible.