Fix common CSS Grid layout issues like overflowing content, misalignment, and unexpected row creation.

posted 3 min read

Why Your CSS Grid Layout Is Breaking (And How to Fix It)

CSS Grid is powerful, but sometimes, it just doesn’t behave as expected.

Your layout shifts, gaps appear where they shouldn't, and suddenly, everything is a mess.

Let’s break down some common reasons why your grid layout is breaking—and how to fix them.


1. Implicit Rows and Columns

The problem: You define a few columns, but suddenly, extra rows appear out of nowhere, pushing content where it doesn’t belong.

Why? CSS Grid automatically creates new rows when content overflows.

Fix: Define explicit row sizes using grid-template-rows or limit content with grid-auto-flow: column;.

.grid-container {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr);
  grid-template-rows: repeat(2, 100px); /* Explicit row definition */
}

2. Overlapping Grid Items

The problem: Items are stacking on top of each other instead of sitting in their own grid spaces.

Why? You might be using incorrect grid-column or grid-row values, causing unwanted overlap.

Fix: Use grid-template-areas or check your column/row spans.

.item {
  grid-column: 2 / 4; /* Ensures it spans correctly */
  grid-row: 1 / 2;
}

3. Content Overflowing the Grid

The problem: Text or images extend beyond their grid cell, breaking the layout.

Why? The grid cells are too small for their content, or min-width is forcing overflow.

Fix: Use minmax() to create flexible grid sizes.

.grid-container {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: repeat(3, minmax(100px, 1fr)); /* Prevents overflow */
}

4. Alignment Issues

The problem: Items don’t align as expected, even though your grid looks correct.

Why? The default alignment might not suit your content.

Fix: Use align-items and justify-items properly.

.grid-container {
  display: grid;
  align-items: center; /* Aligns items vertically */
  justify-items: center; /* Aligns items horizontally */
}

Tip: One of the most common reasons a CSS Grid layout breaks is the automatic creation of extra rows or columns. When you position an item outside the defined grid structure, CSS Grid automatically generates additional tracks, which can cause layout shifts and unexpected gaps.
To prevent this, always define clear row and column sizes. If you anticipate dynamic content, use flexible sizing options so that extra space is handled predictably. Additionally, controlling the placement of new elements ensures that your grid remains structured and does not expand unexpectedly.
Caution: Grid items can unexpectedly overlap if they are manually assigned the same row or column space, leading to visual clutter and unintended stacking. This often happens when defining column or row spans without carefully managing each item's placement.
To prevent this, double-check your grid layout and ensure each item has a dedicated space. Using clear grid structure definitions, such as named areas, can help improve organization and avoid elements unintentionally covering each other. If layering is intentional, manage the stacking order carefully to maintain readability.
Note: A frequent issue in CSS Grid layouts is content spilling out of its designated area, causing misalignment and broken designs. This often happens when the grid cells are too small for the content inside them.
To avoid this, use flexible sizing rather than fixed dimensions. This allows the grid to adapt to different screen sizes and content variations. Another useful approach is ensuring that long text or images fit properly within their cells, either by allowing wrapping or setting constraints to prevent overflow.

Final Thoughts

CSS Grid can be tricky, but once you understand how it behaves, fixing layout issues becomes much easier.

What are your biggest struggles with CSS Grid? Drop your thoughts in the comments, I’d love to hear your experiences!

This is my first post here on Coder Legion, and I hope you found it useful!


Enjoyed this post? I share in-depth articles on web development, performance, and best practices on Medium.
Check them out here: https://medium.com/@all.technology.stories

If you read this far, tweet to the author to show them you care. Tweet a Thanks
Great article! CSS Grid can be tricky, but your tips on fixing common issues are super helpful.

Maxime , I often run into implicit rows messing up the layout. The grid-template-rows fix is a lifesaver!

Quick question—have you tried using grid-auto-rows with grid-template-rows for dynamic layouts? Does it work well?
Thanks! Glad you found it helpful!

Implicit rows can be sneaky, right?

And yes, combining grid-auto-rows with grid-template-rows works well! grid-template-rows defines the initial structure, while grid-auto-rows helps handle overflow dynamically. It's great for layouts with unpredictable content.

More Posts

Learn to build complete web apps by mastering both frontend and backend development technologies.

Sushant Gaurav - Jan 29

Understanding Obfuscation In Javascript

Dhanush Nehru - Jan 12

CSS Specificity Explained: How to Control Which Styles Win

Bridget Amana - Dec 19, 2024

Master CSS3: Elevate Your Web Development Skills to the Next Level

Brian Keary - Jan 23

ProfileKeeper: Simplify and Organize Your Digital Profiles in One Place

Elmer Urbina - Jan 17
chevron_left