Intro to CSS Grid — Build 2D Layouts Easily

Need more control over complex layouts? CSS Grid makes building 2D layouts simple and powerful. In this MiniCoursey quick guide, you’ll learn the basics of CSS Grid and create your first responsive grid step by step.

What is CSS Grid?

CSS Grid is a layout system for building two-dimensional layouts — rows and columns — easily, without floats or positioning hacks.

Basic Grid Container

To start, define a grid container using display: grid.


.container {
  display: grid;
}

Setting Columns and Rows

Use grid-template-columns and grid-template-rows to define your grid structure.


.container {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr;
  grid-template-rows: auto;
}

Placing Items

Use grid-column and grid-row to position items.


.item1 {
  grid-column: 1 / 2;
  grid-row: 1;
}

.item2 {
  grid-column: 2 / 3;
  grid-row: 1;
}

Gap and Alignment

Add space between grid items with gap.


.container {
  gap: 20px;
}

💡 Pro Tip: Use repeat() to create flexible grids easily. Example: grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr);

⚠️ Common Mistake: Mixing Grid and Flexbox properties on the same container can cause unexpected results.

FAQ

Q: Should I use Grid or Flexbox?
A: Use Flexbox for one-dimensional layouts, Grid for complex two-dimensional layouts.

Q: Is Grid supported by all browsers?
A: Yes, modern browsers fully support CSS Grid.

Related Link

👉 Check out previous: Responsive Design Basics — Make Your Site Mobile-Friendly

Where to Learn More

Experiment with CSS Grid on CodePen or learn advanced techniques on MDN Web Docs.

Conclusion

Congrats — you now know how to build flexible 2D layouts with CSS Grid! Keep experimenting and mixing Grid with Flexbox for ultimate layout power.

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