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How do I use CSS flex property?

The flex property in CSS is used to control the flexibility of elements inside a flex container. It is typically used in conjunction with a container element that has the display: flex property. The flex property defines how the item will grow, shrink, and the basis size of the flex item.

Here’s how to use the flex property in CSS:

1. Set the Flex Container

To begin with, you need to define the container as a flex container by setting

display: flex.

.container {
display: flex;
}

2. Use the flex Property on Flex Items

The flex property is shorthand for the following three properties:

  • flex-grow: Defines how much the flex item will grow relative to the rest of the flex items.
  • flex-shrink: Defines how much the flex item will shrink relative to the rest of the flex items when there’s not enough space.
  • flex-basis: Defines the initial size of the flex item before the remaining space is distributed.

Syntax

.item {
flex: <flex-grow> <flex-shrink> <flex-basis>;
}

Example

.item1 {
flex: 1;
/* Item will grow and shrink equally with others */
}
.item2 {
flex: 2;
/* Item will grow and shrink twice as fast as item1 */
}
.item3 {
flex: 0 1 150px;
/* Won’t grow, but will shrink if necessary to 150px */
}

Explanation:

  • In the example above, .item1 and .item2 are inside a flex container, and .item2 grows and shrinks twice as fast as .item1.
  • .item3 will initially be 150px wide, and it will shrink if necessary but won’t grow beyond that size.

Key Flexbox Properties

justify-content: Aligns items horizontally.

.container {
justify-content: space-between;
}

align-items: Aligns items vertically within the container.

.container {
align-items: center;
}

flex-direction: Defines the direction of the main axis (row or column).

.container {
flex-direction: row;
/* horizontal */
}

Example in HTML and CSS:

<div class="container">
<div class="item item1">Item 1</div>
<div class="item item2">Item 2</div>
<div class="item item3">Item 3</div>
</div>
.container {
display: flex;
justify-content: space-around;
}
.item {
padding: 10px;
background-color: lightblue;
border: 1px solid blue;
}
.item1 {
flex: 1;
}
.item2 {flex: 2;
}.item3 {
flex: 0 1 150px;
}

In this example:

  • Items are laid out in a row (flex-direction: row is default).
  • .item2 takes up more space because its flex value is larger than .item1.
  • .item3 has a fixed basis of 150px but can shrink if necessary.