Skip to main content
FreeToolkit .ai

CSS Grid Playground Visual CSS Grid builder with interactive controls for template columns, rows, and gaps.

CSS Grid Playground illustration
🎨

CSS Grid Playground

Visual CSS Grid builder with interactive controls for template columns, rows, and gaps.

1

Define grid structure

Set the number of columns and rows, or enter custom template values.

2

Adjust spacing and alignment

Control column and row gaps, and set justify-items and align-items.

3

Copy the CSS

Preview the grid layout and copy the CSS code.

Loading tool...

What Is CSS Grid Playground?

The CSS Grid Playground is an interactive builder for CSS Grid layouts, the most powerful layout system in CSS. Grid provides two-dimensional control over both rows and columns simultaneously, making it ideal for complex page layouts. This tool offers two modes: auto mode uses repeat(n, 1fr) for simple equal-column grids, while manual mode lets you enter custom template values like 1fr 2fr 1fr or 200px auto 200px. You can control column and row gaps independently, and set justify-items and align-items for content alignment within grid cells. The visual preview shows colored grid items so you can see exactly how your layout configuration works. This tool is excellent for both learning Grid and prototyping production layouts.

Why Use CSS Grid Playground?

  • Both automatic and custom template modes for flexibility
  • Independent column and row gap controls
  • Justify-items and align-items for cell content alignment
  • Interactive visual preview with colored grid items

Common Use Cases

Page Layouts

Design complete page layouts with header, sidebar, content, and footer.

Image Galleries

Create responsive image grid galleries with consistent spacing.

Dashboard Layouts

Build dashboard widget layouts with different sized grid areas.

Learning CSS Grid

Experiment with grid properties to understand two-dimensional layouts.

Technical Guide

CSS Grid is activated with display: grid on a container. grid-template-columns defines column tracks using length values, fr units (fractional), or functions like repeat() and minmax(). The fr unit distributes available space proportionally. grid-template-rows works the same way for row tracks. gap (or row-gap and column-gap) sets spacing between tracks. Grid items can span multiple cells using grid-column: span n and grid-row: span n. Named grid areas using grid-template-areas provide a visual way to define complex layouts. The auto-fit and auto-fill keywords in repeat() create responsive layouts without media queries: repeat(auto-fit, minmax(250px, 1fr)) creates as many columns as fit with a minimum width.

Tips & Best Practices

  • 1
    Use fr units for flexible, proportional column sizing
  • 2
    Combine minmax() with auto-fit for responsive layouts without media queries
  • 3
    Use grid-template-areas for readable, named layout regions
  • 4
    Set gap instead of margins for consistent inter-cell spacing

Related Tools

CSS Flexbox Playground - free online tool

CSS Flexbox Playground

Visual CSS Flexbox explorer with interactive controls for all flex container properties.

🎨 CSS & Design
CSS Table Generator - free online tool

CSS Table Generator

Build beautifully styled HTML tables with customizable colors, stripes, and hover effects.

🎨 CSS & Design
CSS Columns Generator - free online tool

CSS Columns Generator

Create multi-column text layouts with customizable column count, gap, and rule styling.

🎨 CSS & Design
Responsive Design Tester - free online tool

Responsive Design Tester

Preview websites at common device breakpoints with a built-in iframe viewer.

🎨 CSS & Design

Frequently Asked Questions

Q What does fr mean in CSS Grid?
fr is a fractional unit that distributes available space proportionally. 1fr 2fr creates two columns where the second is twice as wide.
Q How do I make a responsive grid?
Use repeat(auto-fit, minmax(250px, 1fr)) for a grid that automatically adjusts columns based on container width.
Q Can grid items overlap?
Yes, grid items can occupy the same cells using explicit placement, creating layered designs.
Q When should I use Grid vs Flexbox?
Grid for two-dimensional layouts (rows and columns). Flexbox for one-dimensional layouts (single row or column).
Q Does CSS Grid work in all browsers?
CSS Grid is supported in all modern browsers. IE11 supports an older Grid specification with some differences.

About This Tool

CSS Grid Playground is a free online tool by FreeToolkit.ai. All processing happens directly in your browser — your data never leaves your device. No registration or installation required.