What is the most effective method for arranging divs in a horizontal layout?

Question

What is the most effective method for arranging divs in a horizontal layout?

When it comes to creating a horizontal three-column div layout, there are a variety of methods to consider:

Position: relative/absolute;
Float: left/right; with margin: 0 auto; for center div
Float: left; for all divs
Display table / table-cell

What do you think is the best practice here, and what are the advantages and disadvantages of each approach?

Thank you,

Edit1: I've updated the example to include line heights

Edit2: I forgot to mention that all columns should be of equal height, thanks to @LGSon for pointing that out.

Edit3: I've added a new method - 4. Display table / table-cell. I know it doesn't feel right, but in the absence of any other working solutions, it seems to be the best option available at the moment.

1. Position: relative/absolute;
<div id="mainContent" style="position: relative; width:95%; margin: 0 auto; background-color: lightGrey;">
<div style="position: absolute; left: 0%; width: 33%; background-color:blue;">Left<br>line2</div>
<div style="position: absolute; left: 33.5%; width: 33%; background-color:green;">Middle</div>
<div style="position: absolute; left: 67%; width: 33%; background-color:yellow;">Right<br>line2</div>
</div>
<br><br><br>

2. Float: left/right; with margin: 0 auto; for center div
<div id="mainContent" style="overflow: hidden; width:95%; margin: 0 auto; background-color: lightGrey;">
<div style="float:left; width: 33%; background-color:blue;">Left<br>line2</div>
<div style="float:right; width: 33%; background-color:yellow;">Right<br>line2</div>
<div style="margin: 0 auto; width: 33%; background-color:green;">Middle</div>
</div>
<br>

3. Float: left; for all divs
<div id="mainContent" style="overflow: hidden; height:100%; width:95%; margin: 0 auto; background-color: lightGrey;">
    <div id="left" style="float: left; width:33%; background-color:blue;">Left<br>line2</div>
    <div id="mid" style="float: left; width:33%; background-color:green;">Middle</div>
    <div id="right" style="float: left; width:33%; background-color:yellow;">Right<br>line2</div>
</div>
<br>

 4. Display table / table-cell
<div id="mainContent" style="width:95%; margin: 0 auto; display: table;">
<div style="display: table-cell; width: 33%; background-color:blue;">Left<br>line2</div>
<div style="display: table-cell; width: 33%; background-color:green;">Middle</div>
<div style="display: table-cell; width: 33%; background-color:yellow;"> Right<br>line2</div>
</div>

javascript css

Answer 1

Answer №1

When it comes to layout design, flexbox is the go-to choice for its flexibility and modern approach. While there are alternatives available, the need to use them is rare as flexbox usually solves the layout requirements effectively.

If you're new to flexbox, check out this informative article: A guide to flexbox

.mainContent {
  display: flex; 
  width:95%; 
  margin: 0 auto;
}
.mainContent > div {
  flex-basis: 33.33%;
}
.mainContent > div:nth-child(1) {
  background-color:blue;
}
.mainContent > div:nth-child(2) {
  background-color:green;
}
.mainContent > div:nth-child(3) {
  background-color:yellow;
}

<div class="mainContent">
<div>Left</div>
<div>Middle</div>
<div>Right</div>
</div>

Addressing the need for equal height, flexbox or display: table are the recommended solutions, avoiding the need for fixed height or complex scripting. These methods provide dynamic content layout and can easily adapt to vertical or horizontal stacking using media queries.

.mainContent {
  display: table; 
  width:95%; 
  margin: 0 auto;
}
.mainContent > div {
  display: table-cell;
  width: 33.33%;
}
.mainContent > div:nth-child(1) {
  background-color:blue;
}
.mainContent > div:nth-child(2) {
  background-color:green;
}
.mainContent > div:nth-child(3) {
  background-color:yellow;
}

<div class="mainContent">
<div>Left</div>
<div>Middle</div>
<div>Right</div>
</div>

Answer 2

When it comes to layout design, flexbox is the go-to choice for its flexibility and modern approach. While there are alternatives available, the need to use them is rare as flexbox usually solves the layout requirements effectively.

If you're new to flexbox, check out this informative article: A guide to flexbox

.mainContent {
  display: flex; 
  width:95%; 
  margin: 0 auto;
}
.mainContent > div {
  flex-basis: 33.33%;
}
.mainContent > div:nth-child(1) {
  background-color:blue;
}
.mainContent > div:nth-child(2) {
  background-color:green;
}
.mainContent > div:nth-child(3) {
  background-color:yellow;
}

<div class="mainContent">
<div>Left</div>
<div>Middle</div>
<div>Right</div>
</div>

Addressing the need for equal height, flexbox or display: table are the recommended solutions, avoiding the need for fixed height or complex scripting. These methods provide dynamic content layout and can easily adapt to vertical or horizontal stacking using media queries.

.mainContent {
  display: table; 
  width:95%; 
  margin: 0 auto;
}
.mainContent > div {
  display: table-cell;
  width: 33.33%;
}
.mainContent > div:nth-child(1) {
  background-color:blue;
}
.mainContent > div:nth-child(2) {
  background-color:green;
}
.mainContent > div:nth-child(3) {
  background-color:yellow;
}

<div class="mainContent">
<div>Left</div>
<div>Middle</div>
<div>Right</div>
</div>

Answer 3

Answer №2

Here is a breakdown of the available choices:

Initial example (Position: Absolute) -- I would recommend avoiding this option as it is not adaptable to various screen sizes and devices.

Second choice (Float: [mixed]) -- While this option may work, it involves manually setting float values, which can complicate future edits or application to different layouts with four items per row. Strive for reusability!

Third preference (float: left) -- This approach works well if you prefer everything to be left-aligned, but offers limited flexibility.

I concur with @LGSon; Flexbox is the optimal solution, unless you prefer utilizing Bootstrap or a similar framework with a grid system: http://getbootstrap.com/css/#grid

Answer 4

Here is a breakdown of the available choices:

Initial example (Position: Absolute) -- I would recommend avoiding this option as it is not adaptable to various screen sizes and devices.

Second choice (Float: [mixed]) -- While this option may work, it involves manually setting float values, which can complicate future edits or application to different layouts with four items per row. Strive for reusability!

Third preference (float: left) -- This approach works well if you prefer everything to be left-aligned, but offers limited flexibility.

I concur with @LGSon; Flexbox is the optimal solution, unless you prefer utilizing Bootstrap or a similar framework with a grid system: http://getbootstrap.com/css/#grid

Answer 5

Answer №3

Keeping it simple is often the best approach. In this case, opting for the third alternative is ideal, just remember to assign a positive value for the margin property.

Here is a suggested solution for your issue:

HTML CODE

<div class="left blue">Left</div>
<div class="left green">Middle</div>
<div class="left yellow">Right</div>

CSS CODE

.left {
  float: left;
  width: 33%;
  margin: 10px 2px;
 }

.blue {
  background-color: blue;
}

.green {
  background-color: green;
 }

.yellow {
  background-color: yellow;
 }

Answer 6

Keeping it simple is often the best approach. In this case, opting for the third alternative is ideal, just remember to assign a positive value for the margin property.

Here is a suggested solution for your issue:

HTML CODE

<div class="left blue">Left</div>
<div class="left green">Middle</div>
<div class="left yellow">Right</div>

CSS CODE

.left {
  float: left;
  width: 33%;
  margin: 10px 2px;
 }

.blue {
  background-color: blue;
}

.green {
  background-color: green;
 }

.yellow {
  background-color: yellow;
 }

What is the most effective method for arranging divs in a horizontal layout?

Answer №1

Answer №2

Answer №3

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