Flexbox

What is Flexbox?

Flexbox, or Flexible Box Layout, is a CSS layout template designed to improve the distribution of space in a container, especially when the size of the elements is variable or unknown. Unlike traditional methods based on fixed grids or inline or block boxes, Flexbox allows items to be organized in one direction only — in a row (horizontally) or in columns (vertically) — while adapting their size, position, and spacing in a fluid and efficient manner.

This model aims to simplify the creation of flexible structures, especially for the development of modern and responsive websites, where elements must be able to adapt to different screen sizes and orientations.

The main features of Flexbox

The key concept of Flexbox is based on two types of elements: the flexible container (flex container) and the flexible elements that it contains (flex items). The container defines a context specific to its children using the CSS property display: flex;. Here are the key things you need to know:

• Main axis direction : The container defines whether the elements are aligned horizontally (flex-direction: row;) or vertically (flex-direction: column;).
• Flexibility of the elements : The elements may increase in size (Flex-Grow) or shrink (Flex-Shrink) depending on the space available.
• Alignment on the axes : The positioning of the elements is adjustable on the main axis (Justify-content) and the transverse axis (Align-Items).
• Managing the space between the elements : Flexbox offers options to insert regular spaces between items without using manual margins.
• Dynamic order : The property Order allows you to change the order in which elements are displayed without changing their order in the HTML code.

Why use Flexbox in Webflow?

Webflow is a powerful visual web design tool that simplifies the creation of sites through an intuitive interface. Integrating Flexbox into Webflow allows designers to:

• To design responsive layouts without writing a single line of code.
• To ensure a smooth adaptation of elements to different screen sizes, in particular mobiles and tablets.
• Easily adjust the alignment, size, and order of components to meet specific design needs.
• To save time by creating complex structures — such as galleries, maps, or navigation bars — with a simple and visual system.

This combination makes web creation accessible and efficient, while ensuring optimal performance and compatibility across devices.

Common Flexbox use cases

Flexbox is used in many situations where the flexibility and adaptability of the elements are essential:

How do I master Flexbox in Webflow?

To fully exploit Flexbox in Webflow, some notions and best practices need to be mastered:

• Define flexible container : In Webflow, all you have to do is select a container and activate the 'Flex' mode in the layout settings.
• Choosing the direction : Select between row or column according to the desired organization.
• Set up alignment : Use available options to justify content and align items vertically.
• Managing growth and shrinkage : Define for each element whether its size should adapt to the available space.
• Reorder items : Change the display order visually if necessary, without changing the order of the source code.

In addition, Webflow offers a visual representation of changes to easily test different configurations and obtain an optimal responsive rendering.

Conclusion

Flexbox is an indispensable tool for creating flexible and responsive layouts in modern web development. Its ease of use combined with the power it offers to organize and align elements makes it a preferred solution, especially in tools like Webflow. By mastering Flexbox, designers and developers can design interfaces that are elegant, robust and perfectly adapted to today's multiple screen formats.