What is preventing a nested flexbox from expanding to the entire width?

Here's an example of some HTML/CSS code:

<div style="display: flex; background-color: yellow;">
  <div style="display: flex;background-color: lightblue;">i am a NESTED flexbox</div>
</div>

This results in

Notice how the inner flexbox (lightblue background color) does not fill the entire width, unlike the outer flexbox (yellow background).

Why is it that a nested flexbox container doesn't expand to match the full width of its parent?

Hint: I'm aware that adding flex: 1 can fix this issue, but what we're exploring here is the reason behind this behavior rather than how to resolve it.

Answer №1

The sky blue container is actually considered a flexible element. The default attributes of flexible elements are:

flex-grow: 0;
flex-shrink: 1;
flex-basis: auto;

Therefore, the element will not expand to occupy additional space, it will contract instead, and pay attention to my width or height property for the base.

Answer №2

When you look at your nested div-block with a light blue background, you'll notice that it only occupies the space it needs. This can be demonstrated by doubling the text within the nested block.

This behavior is influenced by default settings and context formatting:

If you prefer the nested div to occupy the full width, you have the option to add width: 100%; or flex:1 in the CSS of the nested div.

Similar questions

If you have not found the answer to your question or you are interested in this topic, then look at other similar questions below or use the search

The design breaks occur exclusively in the Android default browser

I am experiencing issues with the design of a nested div element when viewed in the default Android browser. Unfortunately, I don't have access to tools that would allow me to identify the cause of this problem. However, the design functions correctly ...

What is the process of turning an SVG element into a clickable link?

Is there a way to transform each element within an SVG image embedded in an HTML file into an active link? I want to create an SVG image with clickable elements. Here is a snippet of the SVG image: <svg version="1.1" id="Layer_1" xmlns="http://www.w3 ...

What is causing my anchor tags not to reflow properly?

I've been working on my new website and I'm facing a challenge that I just can't seem to solve. Here's the link: When I resize my browser to "mobile width", making it narrower than the row of oval "Tags" below my site menu, I want the ...

Uploading and downloading files to a localhost server using PHP

Currently facing an issue where I have successfully uploaded a Picture, PPTX, and PDF file to the database server. However, when viewing them in the browser: The Picture displays normally. However, The PDF file automatically downloads upon trying to view ...

What is the reasoning behind next.js requiring the use of modular CSS instead of a global stylesheet linked to each page?

I am currently attempting to include a minified link stylesheet created with sass:watch into a particular page of a next.js (13) project. However, upon adding it using the head component, I received this warning: Do not add stylesheets using next/head I ...

Issue with the functionality of max-height in a CSS grid container

Update: After receiving clarification from @onkar-ruikar, I realized that my original problem was quite misunderstood. While I still haven't figured out how to properly handle the cyclic dependencies issue, I decided to address it separately. As a res ...

Show content based on information from an array using JavaScript

I am currently working on developing a user-friendly step-by-step form using AngularJS and UI-router to navigate through different sections. The data collected from each form is stored in a JavaScript array, and I am trying to dynamically show or hide a di ...

Using session variables on a different php page

Having trouble using a session variable in another page? I fetched data from a database and stored it in a variable, but when I attempt to use it on another page, I get an error saying 'undefined index'. See the code below - can someone help me s ...

Mandatory tick box needed for submitting PHP form

Although the topic of PHP form validation is frequently discussed, I am a complete beginner in PHP and I am currently experimenting with a PHP form script that I discovered here. As a result, I am unsure about how to proceed with incorporating two specific ...

The Masonry Grid is leaving empty spaces unfilled

I've been experimenting with Sveltekit and SCSS to create a Masonry grid. However, I'm facing an issue where the items in my grid are not filling in the empty space as expected. Instead, they seem to be following the size of the largest image, le ...

Text in d3.js vanishing while undergoing rotation

I have been struggling for hours with what seems like a simple problem and haven't made any progress. I'm hoping to receive some valuable advice from the brilliant minds on stackoverflow. You can view my demo at I attempted to use jsfiddle to s ...

Is it possible for me to designate a specific class for the rev value?

<a href="img1.jpg" rel="zoom-id:bike" rev="img1.jpg"> <img src="" class="img-thumb"/></a> Shown above is a snippet of HTML code. I wonder if it's possible for the attribute rev="img1.jpg" to have a class that only affects the s ...

How to access a variable from within a Phonegap DB function and return it outside of the

I'm struggling with a phonegap db JavaScript script that isn't returning the final string variable "feeds" outside the function. It's currently showing as "undefined". I need help making the necessary changes to properly return the "feeds" v ...

What is the optimal order for executing JavaScript, jQuery, CSS, and other controls to render an HTML page efficiently?

What are some recommended strategies for optimizing webpage loading speed? What key factors should be taken into consideration? ...

Missing ghost image appears when you drag and drop the file

New to JavaScript... As a rookie in coding, I often get interesting requests from my partner who is a kindergarten teacher. Recently, she asked me to create a "Function Machine" for her classroom activities. With some trial and error, I managed to put tog ...

What is preventing me from accessing the php page using the AJAX request?

I am encountering an issue with my HTML and PHP code. I am successfully able to receive the mail.value in txt, but facing a problem during the AJAX call as it doesn't even go into the error function. I need assistance in identifying and rectifying th ...

Turn off the background color box with a single click

Whenever I click on a header menu item, the background changes along with it. Is there a way to prevent this from happening? https://i.stack.imgur.com/p6bJ9.png Take a look here ...

Struggling with determining the perfect transition speed for the sidemenu display

I'm a newcomer to web development and facing an issue with setting the transition speed for opening and closing this side menu. Despite adding transitions in the CSS and specifying duration in the Javascript, the menu continues to open instantly. I di ...

Control the HTML button's state according to the information received from the server

I am currently working with datatable Jquery and using an ajax call to retrieve data from the server. Let's assume that the database consists of three attributes: "Attribute1, Attribute2, Status". Depending on the Status attribute, I need to enable or ...

Adjusting the size of content with CSS

I've been attempting to get an image to cover the entire screen on a device using CSS, but so far I haven't had any success. The image is within an :after pseudo element and content tag. Since it needs to be laid over the HTML, I can't use t ...