How to Use Flexbox in Elementor?

If you are new to web design or WordPress page building, you might have heard the term Flexbox but wondered how to use it effectively, especially within popular tools like Elementor. This article will guide you step-by-step on how to use Flexbox in Elementor for building responsive, flexible layouts without needing to write complicated CSS code.

By the end of this guide, you will have a clear understanding of what Flexbox is, why it’s useful in web design, and practical ways to implement Flexbox in your Elementor pages to create modern, visually appealing designs that work smoothly on any device.

If you are not yet using Elementor, it’s one of the best WordPress page builders available today, known for its ease of use and powerful design features. You can check it out here: Get Elementor.

What Is Flexbox and Why Should You Use It?

Flexbox, short for Flexible Box Layout, is a CSS layout mode designed to arrange elements inside a container in a flexible and predictable way. It helps distribute space along a single row or column and align content easily. Traditional CSS layout methods like floats and positioning can be tricky, especially for responsive design.

Flexbox simplifies this by providing control over:

  • The direction of layout (horizontal or vertical)

  • How space is distributed between items

  • How items wrap when they exceed the container width

  • Alignment and spacing of elements within the container

For beginner web designers, understanding and using Flexbox means you can create layouts that adapt naturally to different screen sizes — from desktops to mobile phones — without complex CSS hacks.

How Does Flexbox Work in Elementor?

Elementor, by default, uses a section and column-based layout system. However, with the newer versions of Elementor Pro, you have access to advanced layout options that rely on Flexbox under the hood, especially with the Container widget introduced in Elementor 3.6 and later.

The Container widget is a revolutionary replacement for the old section and columns system, fully powered by Flexbox. This means:

  • You can place multiple widgets inside a container and control their layout dynamically.

  • Containers allow flexible direction control (row or column).

  • You get precise control over alignment, spacing, wrapping, and distribution of child elements.

  • It results in faster, cleaner, and more responsive layouts.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Use Flexbox in Elementor with the Container Widget

Step 1: Update Elementor to the Latest Version

To start using Flexbox in Elementor, make sure you have the latest version of Elementor Pro installed. The Container widget is only available in Elementor 3.6 or newer.

If you don’t have Elementor Pro yet, you can get it here: Elementor Pro.

Step 2: Add a Container Widget to Your Page

Open your page in Elementor editor and click on the “+” icon to add a new element. Choose the Container widget instead of the traditional section.

Step 3: Choose the Flex Direction

Once the Container widget is added, go to the Layout tab. You will see the option for Direction with two main choices:

  • Row (horizontal layout)

  • Column (vertical layout)

Select “Row” to align child widgets side by side or “Column” to stack them vertically.

Step 4: Add Child Elements Inside the Container

Drag and drop your desired widgets (like Images, Text, Buttons) inside the container. These will become the flex items.

Step 5: Customize Alignment and Justification

Flexbox allows two main alignment options inside the container:

  • Justify Content: Controls horizontal distribution of items (start, center, end, space-between, space-around, space-evenly).

  • Align Items: Controls vertical alignment of items (start, center, end, stretch).

For example, if you want your items to be spaced evenly across the container width, choose “space-between” under Justify Content.

Step 6: Control Wrapping of Items

Flexbox can wrap items to the next line if they don’t fit in one row. To enable this, go to the Wrap option in the Layout tab and select “Wrap.”

This is useful for responsive design because, on smaller screens, your layout will adapt by stacking items neatly.

Step 7: Adjust Item Widths and Growth

Flexbox lets you set how individual child elements grow or shrink. Elementor’s Container widget offers options like Grow or Shrink to make an item take up more or less space relative to others.

For example, setting one item to grow will make it expand and fill available space while others stay fixed.

Practical Use Cases for Flexbox in Elementor

Flexbox is ideal when building:

  • Navigation menus that adapt on different devices

  • Image galleries with flexible rows and columns

  • Call-to-action sections with buttons and text aligned perfectly

  • Pricing tables where columns need equal height and spacing

  • Content blocks that rearrange naturally on mobile screens

With Elementor’s Container widget and Flexbox, you no longer need to write custom CSS for these layouts, making it beginner-friendly and highly efficient.

Tips for Beginners Using Flexbox in Elementor

While Flexbox is powerful, beginners should remember a few points:

  • Start with simple row or column layouts and experiment with alignment options.

  • Use the Responsive Mode preview in Elementor to see how your layout behaves on tablet and mobile.

  • Avoid over-nesting containers — keep your structure simple for better performance.

  • Combine Flexbox with Elementor’s padding and margin controls for precise spacing.

  • If you want to dive deeper, Elementor also allows adding custom CSS to containers if needed.

Conclusion

Mastering how to use Flexbox in Elementor can significantly improve your page designs and user experience. The introduction of the Container widget powered by Flexbox has made Elementor more flexible and modern. By understanding the layout direction, alignment, spacing, and wrapping options, you can build beautiful, responsive websites without complex coding.

If you’re ready to upgrade your WordPress design skills, try Elementor Pro and its Container widget now. Start building flexible, future-proof websites today!

Get Elementor Pro

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: What is Flexbox in simple terms?
A1: Flexbox is a CSS layout technique that arranges elements inside a container so they adjust smoothly to screen sizes and space available. It’s designed to make web layouts flexible and responsive.

Q2: Do I need Elementor Pro to use Flexbox features?
A2: Yes, the Flexbox-powered Container widget is available only in Elementor Pro 3.6 and later versions.

Q3: Can I use Flexbox in Elementor without coding?
A3: Absolutely! Elementor’s Container widget offers visual controls for Flexbox properties like direction, alignment, and wrapping, so no coding is needed.

Q4: How is the Container widget different from traditional sections in Elementor?
A4: The Container widget uses Flexbox for layout, allowing more flexible, efficient, and responsive designs compared to the old section and columns system.

Q5: Can I control the spacing between items inside a Flexbox container?
A5: Yes, using the Justify Content and Align Items settings, you can adjust how space is distributed horizontally and vertically inside the container.

Q6: Does Flexbox help with mobile responsiveness?
A6: Yes, Flexbox allows items to wrap and rearrange based on available screen size, improving responsiveness.

Q7: Can I nest containers inside containers in Elementor?
A7: Yes, you can nest containers, but it’s recommended to keep nesting minimal for better performance and easier management.

Q8: What browsers support Flexbox layouts?
A8: All modern browsers fully support Flexbox, including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, and Opera.

Q9: Can I add custom CSS Flexbox properties in Elementor?
A9: Yes, Elementor Pro allows adding custom CSS to widgets and containers for advanced customization.

Q10: Is there any performance benefit of using Flexbox in Elementor?
A10: Yes, Flexbox layouts are typically more efficient and require less code, improving page load times and overall performance.

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