Modern CSS Layout Techniques

The Evolution of CSS Layout

CSS has come a long way from the days of float-based layouts. Today, we have powerful tools like Flexbox and Grid that make complex layouts straightforward.

Flexbox: The One-Dimensional Layout

Flexbox excels at distributing space along a single axis. It's perfect for navigation bars, card layouts, and centering content.

.container {
  display: flex;
  justify-content: space-between;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 1rem;
}

CSS Grid: The Two-Dimensional Layout

When you need control over both rows and columns, CSS Grid is your friend.

.grid {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fit, minmax(300px, 1fr));
  gap: 2rem;
}

Container Queries: The Future

Container queries let you style elements based on their container's size, not just the viewport. This is a game-changer for component-based design systems.

Best Practices

1. Use Flexbox for one-dimensional layouts

2. Use Grid for two-dimensional layouts

3. Combine them when needed

4. Don't forget about gap!

Modern CSS makes layout a joy. Embrace these tools and say goodbye to hacky workarounds.