CSS Grid vs Flexbox: When to Use Which

Two Layout Systems

CSS Grid and Flexbox excel in different scenarios.

Flexbox: One-Dimensional

Best for arranging items along a single axis — navbars, card footers, centering content.

.nav { display: flex; justify-content: space-between; align-items: center; }

CSS Grid: Two-Dimensional

Best for controlling layout in both rows and columns — page layouts, dashboards, galleries.

.dashboard { display: grid; grid-template-columns: 250px 1fr 300px; gap: 1.5rem; }

Decision Framework

• Flexbox: 1D layout, content-first sizing
• Grid: 2D layout, structured sizing

The Simple Rule

Use Flexbox for one direction. Use Grid for two-dimensional layouts. When in doubt, start with Flexbox.

Originally published on IceCat Studio Blog.