How do you make your layout work on any device?

1 Use relative units

One of the first steps to make your layout work on any device is to use relative units instead of absolute ones. Relative units, such as percentages, ems, rems, or vw and vh, are based on the parent element, the root element, or the viewport size. This means they can adjust to the available space and scale proportionally. Absolute units, such as pixels, points, or inches, are fixed and do not change with the context. They can cause problems with overflow, alignment, or accessibility.

2 Use media queries

Another key tool for responsive design is media queries. Media queries allow you to apply different styles based on the characteristics of the device, such as width, height, resolution, or orientation. You can use media queries to change the layout, font size, color, or visibility of elements depending on the screen size or mode. For example, you can use media queries to switch from a horizontal to a vertical navigation, to increase the font size for smaller screens, or to hide some elements for mobile devices.

3 Use flexbox and grid

Flexbox and grid are two powerful CSS layout modules that can help you create flexible and responsive layouts. Flexbox allows you to align and distribute items along a single axis, either horizontally or vertically. You can use flexbox to create fluid layouts that adapt to the content size and the available space. Grid allows you to create two-dimensional layouts with rows and columns. You can use grid to create complex and grid-based layouts that can span multiple tracks and areas.

4 Use breakpoints and min/max values

Breakpoints and min/max values are useful techniques to control the layout behavior and avoid unwanted effects. Breakpoints are points where the layout changes based on a condition, such as a media query. You can use breakpoints to define different layouts for different screen sizes or orientations. Min/max values are properties that set the minimum and maximum values for a dimension, such as width, height, or font size. You can use min/max values to limit the scaling or shrinking of elements and maintain a balanced and consistent layout.

5 Use typography and spacing wisely

Typography and spacing are essential elements of any layout. They affect the readability, hierarchy, and aesthetics of your content. To make your layout work on any device, you need to pay attention to how you use typography and spacing. You need to choose fonts that are legible and suitable for your audience and purpose. You need to use font sizes that are appropriate for the screen size and resolution. You need to use line-height, letter-spacing, and word-spacing to improve the readability and appearance of your text. You need to use margins, padding, and white space to create contrast, balance, and harmony in your layout.

6 Test and optimize your layout

The final step to make your layout work on any device is to test and optimize it. You need to test your layout on different devices, browsers, and resolutions to check how it looks and performs. You need to use tools such as Chrome DevTools, Firefox Developer Tools, or online emulators to simulate different scenarios and inspect your layout. You need to optimize your layout for speed, accessibility, and usability. You need to use techniques such as compression, minification, lazy loading, or progressive enhancement to reduce the loading time and improve the user experience of your layout.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?