CSS Grid vs. Flexbox: Which One Should You Use in 2025?

Published on Jun 02, 2025 • 10 min read

For years, CSS layout was a nightmare of floats and clearfix hacks. Then came Flexbox, and we rejoiced. Then came Grid, and we got confused. "Do I use Grid? Do I use Flexbox? Do I use both?"

The short answer is: Use both. They are not competitors; they are partners designed to solve different problems.

The Fundamental Difference: 1D vs. 2D

This is the most important concept to grasp:

• Flexbox is One-Dimensional (1D): It deals with layouts in a single dimension—either a row OR a column. It excels at distributing space among items in a line.
• CSS Grid is Two-Dimensional (2D): It handles both rows AND columns simultaneously. It excels at defining an overall page structure.

When to Use Flexbox

Flexbox is "content-first". It works best when you want your content to dictate the layout. Use it for:

• Aligning items inside a navigation bar.
• Centering an element (horizontally and vertically) inside a div.
• Distributing buttons in a footer.
• Card layouts where cards wrap naturally.

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

When to Use CSS Grid

Grid is "layout-first". Use it when you have a specific structure in mind and you want to force content into that structure. Use it for:

• Overall page layouts (Header, Sidebar, Main, Footer).
• Complex dashboards.
• Image galleries requiring precise alignment.

.page-layout {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: 250px 1fr; /* Sidebar fixed, content responsive */
  grid-template-rows: auto 1fr auto; /* Header, Body, Footer */
}

The Real Power: Using Them Together

You don't choose one or the other for your entire site. You combine them! A common pattern is:

1. Use Grid for the main page skeleton (Header, Sidebar, Content).
2. Use Flexbox for the navigation menu inside the Header.
3. Use Flexbox for the form elements inside the Sidebar.

Conclusion

Stop fighting with your layout. If you are struggling to make items line up in one direction, use Flexbox. If you are trying to build a rigid layout structure, use Grid. Mastering both is essential for any modern frontend developer.