CSS Flexbox Generator - Visual Builder

Build CSS flexbox layouts visually with live preview and ready-to-copy code export. Free online flexbox playground.

Presets

Container Properties

Child Items (3)

Click an item in the preview to edit its individual properties.

Preview

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2
3

CSS

.container {
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: row;
  justify-content: flex-start;
  align-items: stretch;
  flex-wrap: nowrap;
  gap: 10px;
}

CSS Flexbox Layout Generator

Build CSS flexbox layouts visually without writing code. Adjust flex direction, alignment, wrap, gap, and see the results in real-time.

Flexbox is the most popular CSS layout method for creating responsive, one-dimensional layouts. This visual generator helps you understand and create flexbox layouts quickly.

Flexbox properties interact in ways that are difficult to memorize. The combination of justify-content, align-items, flex-wrap, and flex-direction produces dozens of possible layouts. By adjusting controls and seeing results immediately, you build an intuitive understanding of how these properties work together.

Common flexbox patterns include centering content both horizontally and vertically (justify-content: center combined with align-items: center), creating equal-width navigation items (flex: 1 on children), and building responsive card rows that wrap at smaller viewports (flex-wrap: wrap with a minimum width per card).

Flexbox handles one-dimensional layout - either a row or a column. If you need to control both rows and columns simultaneously, CSS Grid is the better tool. Many modern layouts combine both: Grid for the page structure and Flexbox for component-level alignment within grid cells.

How the CSS Flexbox Generator Works

  1. 01Set the container properties: direction, wrap, justify-content, and align-items
  2. 02Add child items and adjust their individual flex-grow, flex-shrink, and flex-basis
  3. 03See the layout update in real-time in the visual preview
  4. 04Copy the generated CSS code for your project

When to Use Flexbox

Flexbox is designed for one-dimensional layouts - either a row or a column. Use it for navigation bars, card rows, centering content, and distributing space between items. The most common pattern is justify-content: space-between for navigation and align-items: center for vertical centering. For two-dimensional layouts (rows AND columns simultaneously), use CSS Grid instead.

When to Use a CSS Flexbox Generator

Use this generator when you need to build one-dimensional layouts - rows or columns - and want to experiment with alignment and spacing visually before writing code. It is ideal for navigation bars, card rows, footer layouts, form element alignment, and any scenario where items need to be distributed along a single axis.

Common Use Cases

  • Building responsive navigation bars with evenly spaced menu items
  • Creating card layouts that wrap to the next row on smaller screens → CSS Grid Generator
  • Centering content both horizontally and vertically within a container
  • Aligning form labels and inputs in consistent horizontal or vertical arrangements

Expert Tips

  • Use gap instead of margins between flex items - it creates consistent spacing without affecting the first or last item.
  • Set flex-wrap: wrap on the container when building responsive layouts so items stack naturally on smaller screens.
  • Combine Flexbox with min-width on children to create layouts that wrap at specific breakpoints without media queries.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I use Flexbox instead of CSS Grid?→
Use Flexbox for one-dimensional layouts where items flow in a single row or column: navigation bars, button groups, card rows. Use CSS Grid when you need to control both rows and columns simultaneously, such as full page layouts or dashboard grids.
How do I center an element with Flexbox?→
Set the parent container to display: flex, then add justify-content: center (horizontal centering) and align-items: center (vertical centering). For absolute centering within the viewport, also set the container height to 100vh.
What does flex: 1 mean?→
flex: 1 is shorthand for flex-grow: 1, flex-shrink: 1, flex-basis: 0%. It tells the item to grow and fill available space equally with other flex: 1 siblings. Three items with flex: 1 each take one-third of the container width.

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