← All Tools|NitroClaw
Free CSS Tool

Free CSS Grid Generator

A CSS grid generator is a visual CSS Grid layout builder that lets you define columns, rows, gaps, and named template areas in real time. Use this free css grid layout generator to paint a layout visually, preview the result instantly, and export clean CSS grid code and matching HTML.

This css grid builder supportsgrid-template-columns,grid-template-rows,grid-template-areas, shorthandgrid-template, and mixed track sizing withfr,px,%,auto, andminmax(). Pair it with NitroClaw's CSS Flexbox Generator, CSS Gradient Generator, Color Contrast Checker, CSS Box Shadow Generator, and Color Picker.

Live Grid Preview

Click or drag across cells to paint named grid areas visually.

4 columns/3 rows

Grid Tracks and Gaps

Build columns and rows with mixed sizing units, then tune shorthand and longhand gap values.

grid template generator

Columns

Control each column width for the grid layout.

Column 1

220px

Column 2

1fr

Column 3

1fr

Column 4

260px

Rows

Adjust row heights for the current grid template.

Row 1

96px

Row 2

minmax(320px, auto)

Row 3

120px

Template Output

Export both shorthand and longhand CSS, plus the HTML structure for your named grid areas.

Longhand CSS

Uses separate grid-template-columns, grid-template-rows, and grid-template-areas rules.

.grid-layout {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: 220px 1fr 1fr 260px;
  grid-template-rows: 96px minmax(320px, auto) 120px;
  row-gap: 20px;
  column-gap: 24px;
  gap: 20px 24px;
  grid-template-areas:
    "header header header header"
    "sidebar main main aside"
    "footer footer footer footer";
}

.grid-header {
  grid-area: header;
}

.grid-sidebar {
  grid-area: sidebar;
}

.grid-main {
  grid-area: main;
}

.grid-aside {
  grid-area: aside;
}

.grid-footer {
  grid-area: footer;
}

Shorthand CSS

Uses shorthand grid-template plus gap for a compact export.

.grid-layout {
  display: grid;
  grid-template:
    "header header header header" 96px
    "sidebar main main aside" minmax(320px, auto)
    "footer footer footer footer" 120px
    / 220px 1fr 1fr 260px;
  gap: 20px 24px;
}

.grid-header {
  grid-area: header;
}

.grid-sidebar {
  grid-area: sidebar;
}

.grid-main {
  grid-area: main;
}

.grid-aside {
  grid-area: aside;
}

.grid-footer {
  grid-area: footer;
}

HTML Structure

Generates markup that matches the current named template areas.

<div class="grid-layout">
  <header class="grid-header">Header</header>
  <aside class="grid-sidebar">Sidebar</aside>
  <main class="grid-main">Main</main>
  <aside class="grid-aside">Aside</aside>
  <footer class="grid-footer">Footer</footer>
</div>

FAQ

Common CSS Grid questions for developers using this css grid layout generator.

What is a CSS grid generator?

A CSS grid generator is a visual builder for CSS Grid layouts. It helps you define columns, rows, gaps, and named areas, then exports clean CSS and HTML without manually writing every grid rule from scratch.

When should I use CSS Grid instead of flexbox?

Use CSS Grid when you need two-dimensional control over both rows and columns. Flexbox is usually better for one-dimensional alignment inside a row or column, while Grid is better for page sections, dashboards, card layouts, and complex templates.

What does grid-template-areas do?

grid-template-areas lets you name parts of your layout and describe the arrangement visually with strings. This makes larger layouts easier to read, maintain, and update because the CSS mirrors the page structure.

Do CSS grid areas need to be rectangles?

Yes. Each named grid area must form a single rectangle in the final template. If the same name creates an L-shape or disconnected cells, the generated grid-template-areas value becomes invalid CSS.

Can I use px, fr, percentages, auto, and minmax together?

Yes. CSS Grid allows mixed track sizing, so you can combine fixed widths, flexible fr units, percentages, auto tracks, and minmax() values in the same layout depending on the behavior you want.