Two Columns columns-2

Create balanced two-column layouts that automatically flow content for efficient space usage and improved readability.

Quick Reference

CSS Property

columns: 2;

Use Case

Balanced two-column flow

Responsive

md:columns-2

Live Examples

Basic Two-Column Layout

This is a two-column layout where content automatically flows from the first column to the second column. The browser handles the distribution of content to create balanced columns.

Two-column layouts are perfect for maximizing space efficiency while maintaining readability. They work particularly well for lists, short paragraphs, and content that doesn't require strict sequential reading.

Notice how the text flows naturally from one column to the next, creating a newspaper-like reading experience that's both familiar and efficient.

Column Break Behavior

This callout might span across columns depending on content length and positioning.

The two-column approach strikes a balance between space efficiency and readability, making it ideal for content that benefits from visual organization.

You can control column gaps, breaks, and other behaviors using additional Tailwind utilities to fine-tune the layout.

<div class="columns-2 gap-6">
  <p>Content flows across two columns...</p>
  <p>Automatically balanced...</p>
</div>

Two Columns with Custom Gap

Small Gap (gap-4)

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.

Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.

Large Gap (gap-8)

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.

Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.

<!-- Small gap -->
<div class="columns-2 gap-4">Content</div>

<!-- Large gap -->
<div class="columns-2 gap-8">Content</div>

Responsive Two-Column Layout

This layout is responsive! On mobile devices (small screens), content displays in a single column for optimal readability. On medium screens and larger, it switches to a two-column layout.

This responsive approach ensures that your content is always readable and well-organized, regardless of the device your users are viewing it on.

Responsive Design

Try resizing your browser window to see the columns adapt!

Mobile-first responsive design is crucial for modern web development, and column layouts should always consider the mobile experience first.

The two-column layout provides an excellent balance between content density and readability on larger screens.

<div class="columns-1 md:columns-2 gap-6">
  Single column on mobile, two columns on medium+ screens
</div>

News/Magazine Style Layout

The Future of Web Design

Technology News • March 15, 2024

Web design continues to evolve at a rapid pace, with new technologies and methodologies emerging regularly. The focus has shifted towards user experience, accessibility, and performance optimization.

Modern frameworks like Tailwind CSS have revolutionized how developers approach styling, offering utility-first approaches that promote consistency and maintainability.

Key Trends

  • Component-based architecture
  • Mobile-first responsive design
  • Performance optimization
  • Accessibility compliance

The rise of CSS Grid and Flexbox has given designers unprecedented control over layout, while maintaining semantic HTML structure remains crucial for SEO and accessibility.

Looking ahead, we can expect continued emphasis on user-centered design principles, with AI and machine learning playing larger roles in personalization and optimization.

"The best designs are invisible to the user, seamlessly guiding them through their journey without friction or confusion."

As we move forward, the challenge will be balancing innovation with usability, ensuring that new technologies enhance rather than complicate the user experience.

<article class="columns-2 gap-8">
  <p>Article content flows naturally...</p>
  <div class="break-inside-avoid">Callout box</div>
</article>

Two-Column List Layout

Popular Web Development Tools

React

JavaScript library for building user interfaces

Vue.js

Progressive framework for building UIs

Tailwind CSS

Utility-first CSS framework

Next.js

React framework for production

Nuxt.js

Vue.js framework for universal apps

TypeScript

Typed superset of JavaScript

Vite

Fast build tool for modern web projects

Webpack

Module bundler for JavaScript applications

<div class="columns-2 gap-8">
  <div class="break-inside-avoid">List item</div>
  <div class="break-inside-avoid">List item</div>
</div>

Column Control

Break Inside Control

Avoid Break

This box won't break across columns due to break-inside-avoid class.

Regular paragraph text that can break naturally across columns when needed for optimal layout balance.

Another Box

This box also stays together in one column.

More content that flows naturally, demonstrating how break control affects layout behavior.

<div class="break-inside-avoid">
  Content that won't break across columns
</div>

Column Fill Balance

Column fill controls how content is distributed across columns. By default, browsers try to balance column heights.

This creates a more visually appealing layout where columns appear roughly equal in height.

You can control this behavior with CSS properties, though Tailwind doesn't include utilities for column-fill by default.

The balanced approach works well for most content types and provides the best visual result.

/* Custom CSS for column fill */
.columns-balance { column-fill: balance; }
.columns-auto { column-fill: auto; }

Common Use Cases

📰 News Articles

Perfect for newspaper-style layouts with flowing text content.

<article class="columns-2 gap-8">

📋 Feature Lists

Organize feature lists or benefits in a space-efficient layout.

<div class="columns-2 gap-6 break-inside-avoid">

📖 Documentation

Technical documentation with balanced content distribution.

<section class="columns-1 md:columns-2">

🏷️ Tag Clouds

Display tags or categories in an organized two-column format.

<div class="columns-2 gap-4">

💬 Testimonials

Showcase customer testimonials in a balanced layout.

<div class="columns-2 gap-8 break-inside-avoid">

📊 Data Lists

Present data or statistics in an organized column format.

<dl class="columns-2 gap-6">

Best Practices & Tips

✅ Do

  • • Use break-inside-avoid for cards and boxes
  • • Start with single column on mobile: columns-1 md:columns-2
  • • Add appropriate gaps between columns
  • • Test with varying content lengths
  • • Consider reading flow and user experience
  • • Use for content that benefits from scanning

❌ Don't

  • • Use for sequential content that must be read in order
  • • Apply to very short content (less than 3-4 paragraphs)
  • • Forget mobile responsiveness
  • • Use with complex nested layouts
  • • Ignore column break behavior
  • • Use when CSS Grid or Flexbox would be better

Browser Support & Considerations

🌐 Browser Support

Chrome✓ Full Support
Firefox✓ Full Support
Safari✓ Full Support
Edge✓ Full Support
IE 11⚠ Partial Support

⚡ Performance Tips

  • • CSS columns are hardware accelerated
  • • Better performance than JavaScript masonry
  • • Minimal layout recalculation needed
  • • Works well with responsive design
  • • Consider content reflow on resize
  • • Test with dynamic content loading

Related Column Classes

columns-1

Single column

columns-2

Current page

columns-3

Three columns

columns-auto

Auto columns