Grid vs. Flexbox

Introduction:

as we know that now a day how flex and grid become very important to design our layout before that was very messy to make our layout appear as we want by making position, float ... etc.
now grid and flex makes it too easy
flex and grid sharing the same common features which makes it so confusing when to use flex and when to use grid and what is the difference between them.
so in this article, we will explain what is the difference between these two properties.

Differences:

1- the main important difference is that: we use flex in a one-dimensional layout (row or column) while grid using in two-dimensional layout (rows and columns)
For example :
Flex:
HTML:

CSS:

Output:

here in this example, we can see that flex has 2 rows but no actually its just one row but elements exceed 100% from parent width so it breaks into one another line this case only happening when we add (flex-wrap: wrap;) to the parent element
Grid:
HTML:

CSS:

Output:

here in the grid example what we have actually two columns and two rows so that is a two-dimensional layout

2-Grid is mostly defined on the parent element while flexbox most of the layout happens on the children:
For example :
Flex:
HTML:

CSS:

Output:

Grid:
HTML:

CSS:

Output:

3- Flexbox works from the content out while Grid works from the layout in:
Flexbox works from the content out. An ideal use case for flexbox is when you have a set of items and want to space them out evenly in a container. You let the size of the content decide how much individual space each item takes up. If the items wrap onto a new line, they will work out their spacing based on their size and the available space on that line.
When you use CSS Grid Layout you create a layout and then you place items into it, or you allow the auto-placement rules to place the items into the grid cells according to that strict grid. It is possible to create tracks that respond to the size of the content, however, they will also change the entire track.

4-Flexbox can push things away while that is not happening in Grid:
It’s a unique feature of flexbox that you can, for example, put margin-right: auto; on an element and, if there is room, that element will push everything else as far away as it can go. while grid item if it had margin-right: auto; it can't push other items away.
For example :
HTML:

CSS:

Output:

References:

• https://css-tricks.com/quick-whats-the-difference-between-flexbox-and-grid/
• https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/CSS/CSS_Grid_Layout/Relationship_of_Grid_Layout
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSIclWvNTdQ
• https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/2018/09/grid-vs-flexbox-which-should-you-choose/
• https://blog.logrocket.com/flexbox-vs-css-grid/

Comments

[Eric]

Great post!
I use these handy cheat sheets all the time:
grid.malven.co
flexbox.malven.co

[NadaYousry]

Thanks alot for your comment and these wonderful sheets 👏

[jasontmjohnson]

Thanks for sharing.

[Poldini]

Thanks!

[DevLorenzo]

Hello,
Can I add these two cheat sheets to my compilation?

The ultimate Cheat sheets compilation (200+) - 🔥🎁 / Roadmap to dev 🚀

DevLorenzo ・ Mar 2 ・ 15 min read

#productivity #webdev #beginners #javascript

Thanks

[Eric]

I don't see why not. I didn't make them btw.

[DevLorenzo]

Ok, thank

[Temani Afif]

Flexbox also support the gap property: caniuse.com/flexbox-gap .. can be found in the following specification: drafts.csswg.org/css-align-3/#prop...

[NadaYousry]

thanks for this valuable information

[arvindsridharan]

This is a very good explanation of grid and flexbox. Well done!!

[NadaYousry]

Thanks alot

[arvindsridharan]

I am currently learning Cascading Style Sheets and Javascript. Looking forward to your expert advise.

[NadaYousry]

Thanks for your encouragement and I hope I'll be as you expect 🙏😊

[Poldini]

Very helpful to point out that flex is more content focused and grid more structure focused. Thank you

[NadaYousry]

Great point thanks

[Lathifahdhiya]

Thank you, this is really helpful for css beginners!

[NadaYousry]

Thank you

[Rodrigo Arantes]

Well done! thanks

[NadaYousry]

Thank you 😊

[Reza Asghari]

Great

[NadaYousry]

Thanks

[Omar Hassan]

bravo shokran 👏

[NadaYousry]

Thanks Omar 😊

[Carl-Erik Kopseng]

Dev.to needs proofreaders. I had to read the opening sentence three times to unscramble it and since the rest of the paragraph continued in the same vein, I just couldn't be bothered reading past the opening. I appreciate the effort, but the rambling unedited verbal style just put me off. Grammar has value and not using versals means it's harder to understand when the sentence starts, so you lose the inner voice.

[NadaYousry]

Hello carl,
Thank you for your comment. I also believe that the language and grammar are very important for reading and understanding articles as you think you too. So thank you for your comment and I will work on it and develop it so that there are no mistakes in writing in the future

[Carl-Erik Kopseng]

Hi, Nada. Thanks for your mature reply. I know it is a bit off-putting to have "grammar nazis" poke at your work, but I just wanted to disclose that I was acting under a misunderstanding of the professionality of Dev.to: I was under the impression that Dev.to was a curated site that invited people to write content. I was unaware that it was actually open to all to post whatever they wanted. Had I been aware of this earlier, I would not have the presumably harsh tone I might have come across as. It was more directed at Dev.to than yourself, as I thought they had an editorial process of some kind. Now that I know you were "a happy amateur" testing the waters, I am sorry for coming across as a bit abrasive. I know it is scary to post something in the techosphere. Good luck with your next endavours!

[NadaYousry]

There is no problem Carl,
Thanks for being understanding 😊