CSS Grid vs Flexbox: When to Use Each
5/8/2025 • 6 min read
Choosing between CSS Grid and Flexbox can be confusing for many developers. While both are powerful layout tools, they serve different purposes. This guide will help you decide which to use with practical examples.
Key Takeaways
- Use Flexbox for 1D layouts (either rows OR columns)
- Use Grid for 2D layouts (rows AND columns)
- They work great together - Grid for overall layout, Flexbox for components
Direct Comparison
Flexbox
- Single dimension layouts
- Content-first approach
- Better for component alignment
Best for: Navigation bars, form controls, card content distribution
CSS Grid
- Two-dimensional layouts
- Layout-first approach
- Precise item placement
Best for: Page layouts, complex galleries, dashboard grids
Practical Examples
Flexbox Navigation Bar
.navbar {
display: flex;
justify-content: space-between;
align-items: center;
padding: 1rem;
}Decision Flowchart
- Need to align items in one direction (row OR column)?
Use Flexbox
- Need control over both rows AND columns simultaneously?
Use CSS Grid
- Building a complete page layout?
Start with Grid, then use Flexbox for components inside
Browser Support
Both Grid and Flexbox have excellent modern browser support:
Chrome
Full
Firefox
Full
Safari
Full
Edge
Full
IE 11
Partial*
*IE11 has limited Grid support (older syntax required)
Final Thoughts
While Flexbox and Grid can each solve many layout problems, they're not mutually exclusive. Professional developers often use both in the same project:
- Grid for overall page structure
- Flexbox for individual components
- Grid for complex 2D layouts
- Flexbox for content flow within those layouts
The best way to learn is to experiment! Try recreating layouts from popular sites using both techniques.