CSS grid-template-columns Property

Description

The grid-template-columns property defines the explicit column track list of a grid container, establishing the horizontal structure into which grid items are placed. It determines how many column tracks exist in the explicit grid and their relative behavior when the container’s available inline space changes, so it is the primary tool for shaping the grid’s columnar backbone and creating predictable placement opportunities for child items.

Beyond simply creating tracks, this property determines how space is distributed among those tracks: some tracks can behave as more rigid columns while others can adapt to available room, and the template governs how intrinsic sizing and available space interact to produce the final column widths. Because it sets the explicit template, it also creates named grid lines and areas (when used alongside other template features) that make it easier to position and span items precisely without relying only on auto-placement.

When items are placed outside the explicit column template, the grid will generate implicit columns to accommodate them; those implicit tracks are sized according to grid-auto-columns, and the way items are auto-placed into columns is influenced by grid-auto-flow. This means the interplay between the explicit template you declare and the rules for implicit tracks affects both layout outcomes and how additions or reflows are handled dynamically.

In practice you usually consider this property alongside the row counterpart, grid-template-rows, and the spacing between tracks controlled by gap, because together they define the grid’s full two-dimensional structure and the gaps that separate tracks. Changing the column template can significantly alter alignment, wrapping, and the overall visual rhythm of a grid, so it’s a core property for establishing predictable, maintainable grid layouts.

Definition

Initial value: none
Applies to: Grid containers
Inherited: No
Computed value: As specified
Animatable: Yes
JavaScript syntax: object.style.gridTemplateColumns

Interactive Demo

grid-template-columns: 60px 60px;

grid-template-columns: 1fr 60px;

grid-template-columns: 1fr 2fr;

grid-template-columns: 8ch auto;

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Syntax

grid-template-columns: none | <track-list> | <auto-track-list>
where 
<track-list> = [ <line-names>? [ <track-size> | <track-repeat> ] ]+ <line-names>?
<auto-track-list> = [ <line-names>? [ <fixed-size> | <fixed-repeat> ] ]* <line-names>? <auto-repeat>
[ <line-names>? [ <fixed-size> | <fixed-repeat> ] ]* <line-names>?
where 
<line-names> = '[' <custom-ident>* ']'
<track-size> = <track-breadth> | minmax( <inflexible-breadth> , <track-breadth> ) | fit-content( [ <length> | <percentage> ] )
<track-repeat> = repeat( [ <positive-integer> ] , [ <line-names>? <track-size> ]+ <line-names>? )
<fixed-size> = <fixed-breadth> | minmax( <fixed-breadth> , <track-breadth> ) | minmax( <inflexible-breadth> , <fixed-breadth> )
<fixed-repeat> = repeat( [ <positive-integer> ] , [ <line-names>? <fixed-size> ]+ <line-names>? )
<auto-repeat> = repeat( [ auto-fill | auto-fit ] , [ <line-names>? <fixed-size> ]+ <line-names>? )
where 
<track-breadth> = <length-percentage> | <flex> | min-content | max-content | auto
<inflexible-breadth> = <length> | <percentage> | min-content | max-content | auto
<fixed-breadth> = <length-percentage>
where 
<length-percentage> = <length> | <percentage>

Values

noneA keyword meaning that no explicit layout grid is created. Any columns will be generated implicitly, and their size will be determined using the grid-auto-columns property. This is the default value.
length / percentageSpecifies the size of the columns using a valid length value, or a percentage value. The value must be positive.
flexNon-negative value in "flexible" units of measure fr ( fractional unit ). Each column occupies a part of the remaining space in the container of the layout grid in proportion to the given coefficient. For example, when using the value 1fr 2fr , the columns will occupy ⅓ and ⅔ of the remaining space, respectively. The total size of such rows or columns is subtracted from the available space, which gives the remaining space, which is then divided between the rows and columns of flexible size in proportion to their coefficient. Values between 0fr and 1fr have somewhat special behavior, when the sum of the coefficients is less than 1, they will occupy less than 100% of the remaining space. When the available space is infinite (the width or height of the layout grid container is undefined), the size of the flexible grid columns is determined by their contents while maintaining the appropriate proportions.
max-contentA keyword that sets the size of each column based on the largest item in the column.
min-contentA keyword that sets the size of each column based on the smallest item in the column.
minmax (min, max)Functional notation that defines a range of sizes greater than or equal to min and less than or equal to max . If max is less than min , then max is ignored, and the function is treated as min . The value in "flexible" units of measurement as the maximum value sets the coefficient of flexibility of the column, this is not acceptable for determining the minimum.
autoThe size of the columns is determined by the size of the container and the size of the contents of the elements in the column. As a maximum, it is identical to the value of max-content , but at least it represents the largest minimum size. Automatic column sizes can be stretched using align-content properties and justify-content.
fit-content (length | percentage)This is the formula min (max-content, max (auto, argument)) , which is calculated by analogy with auto (that is, minmax (auto, max-content) ), except that the size of the column is clamped by the argument value, if it is larger than the automatic minimum.
repeat ([positive-integer | auto-fill | auto-fit], track-list)Represents a repeated fragment of the track list, allowing a large number of columns that exhibit a recurring pattern to be written in a more compact form.

Example

HTML

<div class="grid">

  <div class="card">Item 1</div>

  <div class="card">Item 2</div>

  <div class="card">Item 3</div>

  <div class="card">Item 4</div>

  <div class="card">Item 5</div>

  <div class="card">Item 6</div>

</div>

CSS

.grid {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fit, minmax(220px, 1fr));
  gap: 16px;
  padding: 16px;
}

.card {
  background: linear-gradient(135deg, #f6d365 0%, #fda085 100%);
  border-radius: 8px;
  padding: 24px;
  color: #333;
  font-weight: 600;
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: center;
  min-height: 120px;
}

Result

Editor

Browser Support

The following information will show you the current browser support for the CSS grid-template-columns property. Hover over a browser icon to see the version that first introduced support for this CSS property.