Last updated: 3 April 2025

Tailwind CSS Flex

The tailwind flex utility classes allow you to easily create flexible and responsive layouts using CSS flexbox.


Tailwind flex

The tailwind flex utility classes in Tailwind CSS allow you to easily create flexible and responsive layouts using CSS flexbox. With a range of options and flexibility, you can achieve different flexbox configurations and create dynamic designs.

Enabling Tailwind Flex Container

To enable tailwind flex behavior on an element, you can use the flex utility class. By default, the flex class makes an element a flex container and arranges its children in a single row. Here's an example:

Tailwind flex initial

By default, flex items have an initial value of flex-grow: 0and flex-shrink: 1, which means they can grow to fill the available space and can shrink to prevent overflow. The flex-initial class can be used to override these default values.

How to apply Tailwind Flex-initial Behavior

To apply the tailwind flex-initial behavior of a flex item, you can use the flex-initial class. Applying this class to a flex item will make it start with its initial size, preventing it from growing or shrinking. Here's an example:

html
<div class="flex">
<div class=" flex-initial">short</div>
<div class=" flex-initial">flex initial</div>
<div class=" flex-initial">it grows when the item is large</div>
</div>

Preview

short

flex initial

it grows when the item is large

Tailwind Flex-1

It sets the flex-grow property to 1, allowing the flex item to grow and fill the remaining space in the flex container.

Setting Tailwind Flex-1 Behavior

To apply the tailwind flex-1 behavior to a flex item, you can use the flex-1 class. This class ensures that the flex item grows and occupies all the available space within the flex container. Here's an example:

html
<div class="flex">
<div class="flex">
<div class=" flex-1...">short</div>
<div class=" flex-1...">flex initial</div>
<div class=" flex-1...">it grows when the item is large</div>
</div>
</div>

Preview

short

flex initial

it grows when the item is large

Tailwind Flex-Auto

It sets the flex-grow, flex-shrink, and flex-basis properties to ensure that the flex item grows and shrinks based on its content.

How to apply Tailwind Flex-auto Behavior

To apply the tailwind flex auto behavior to a flex item, you can use the flex-auto class. This class ensures that the flex item adjusts its size based on its content and the available space in the flex container. Here's an example:

html
<div class="flex">
<div class=" flex-auto....">short</div>
<div class=" flex-auto...">flex initial</div>
<div class=" flex-auto...">it grows when the item is large</div>
</div>

Preview

short

flex initial

it grows when the item is large

Tailwind Flex-None

It sets the flex-grow and flex-shrink properties to 0, effectively fixing the size of the flex item.

How to apply Tailwind Flex-None Behavior

To apply the tailwind flex-none behavior to a flex item, you can use the flex-none class. This class ensures that the flex item maintains its initial size and does not grow or shrink. Here's an example:

html
<div class="flex">
<div class=" flex-none....">short</div>
<div class=" flex-none...">flex initial</div>
<div class=" flex-none...">it grows when the item is large</div>
</div>

Preview

short

flex initial

it grows when the item is large

That's it! You now have a solid understanding of how to use the flex utility classes in Tailwind CSS to create flexible and responsive layouts using CSS flexbox.

Tailwind Flex Class Table

ClassProperties
flex-1 flex: 1 1 0%;
flex-autoflex: 1 1 auto;
flex-initialflex: 0 1 auto;
flex-noneflex: none;

✨ What's Next?

Now that you understand Tailwind flex, try experimenting with these tailwind classes utility:

Windframe Tailwind blocks

footer

Windframe is a drag and drop builder for rapidly building tailwind css websites and UIs

Start building stunning tailwind UIs! 

Build from scratch or select prebuilt tailwind templates