column-gap (grid-column-gap)

The column-gap CSS property sets the size of the gap (gutter) between an element's columns.

Initially a part of Multi-column Layout, the definition of column-gap has been broadened to include multiple layout methods. Now specified in Box Alignment, it may be used in Multi-column, Flexible Box, and Grid layouts.

Syntax

/* Keyword value */
column-gap: normal;

/* <length> values */
column-gap: 3px;
column-gap: 2.5em;

/* <percentage> value */
column-gap: 3%;

/* Global values */
column-gap: inherit;
column-gap: initial;
column-gap: revert;
column-gap: unset;

The column-gap property is specified as one of the values listed below.

Values

normal: The browser's default spacing is used between columns. For multi-column layout this is specified as 1em. For all other layout types it is 0.
<length>: The size of the gap between columns, defined as a <length>. The <length> property's value must be non-negative.
<percentage>: The size of the gap between columns, defined as a <percentage>. The <percentage> property's value must be non-negative.

Formal definition

Initial value	`normal`
Applies to	multi-column elements, flex containers, grid containers
Inherited	no
Percentages	refer to corresponding dimension of the content area
Computed value	as specified, with <length>s made absolute, and normal computing to zero except on multi-column elements
Animation type	a length, percentage or calc();

Formal syntax

normal | <length-percentage>where 
<length-percentage> = <length> | <percentage>

Examples

Flex layout

HTML

<div id="flexbox">
  <div></div>
  <div></div>
  <div></div>
</div>

CSS

#flexbox {
  display: flex;
  height: 100px;
  column-gap: 20px;
}

#flexbox > div {
  border: 1px solid green;
  background-color: lime;
  flex: auto;
}

Result

Grid layout

HTML

<div id="grid">
  <div></div>
  <div></div>
  <div></div>
</div>

CSS

#grid {
  display: grid;
  height: 100px;
  grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr);
  grid-template-rows: 100px;
  column-gap: 20px;
}

#grid > div {
  border: 1px solid green;
  background-color: lime;
}

Result

Multi-column layout

HTML

<p class="content-box">
  This is some multi-column text with a 40px column
  gap created with the CSS `column-gap` property.
  Don't you think that's fun and exciting? I sure do!
</p>

CSS

.content-box {
  column-count: 3;
  column-gap: 40px;
}

Result

Specifications

Specification
CSS Box Alignment Module Level 3 # column-row-gap
CSS Grid Layout Module Level 3 # gutters
CSS Multi-column Layout Module Level 2 # column-gap

Browser compatibility

BCD tables only load in the browser