GridSystem

GridSystem is a framework for organizing content by dividing available space into a network of columns and rows. Its purpose is to create visual consistency, predictable alignment, and scalable layouts across different screen sizes and devices. Grid systems are used in print, graphic design, and, increasingly, in digital interfaces and data presentation.

Historically, grids originated in typography and editorial design to structure text and imagery. They evolved into broader design tools that guided composition and spacing. In web and app design, grid systems matured with the advent of responsive layouts and programmable grids, with a de facto standard of 12 columns in many frameworks. Modern CSS offers explicit grid capabilities through CSS Grid Layout and Flexbox, enabling flexible and precise placement of elements within a defined grid.

Core concepts include the grid container, grid items, tracks (columns and rows), grid lines, and gutters (the spaces between columns). Grids can be fixed (a constant column count), fluid or responsive (columns adapt to viewport size), or modular (consistent blocks that repeat across the layout). Breakpoints are commonly used to adjust grid behavior for different devices, maintaining balance between content density and readability.

Implementation typically defines a set number of columns and gutter width, then places elements to span a certain number of columns or rows. This approach supports efficient alignment, reorderability, and consistent typography, while enabling responsive adaptation through redefined grid structures at different sizes.

See also: CSS Grid, Flexbox, Bootstrap grid, Material Design, design systems.