min-content, max-content, fit-content - use them more often
Tags: css, webdev, beginners, tutorial
Published: 2023-04-09 08:00:00

> Also available on my [blog](https://nikolasbarwicki.com/articles/min-max-fit-content-width)

## Introduction

Understanding the various width properties available in CSS is an important part of ensuring our pages look and behave as they should. In this article, we will explore the differences between `min-content`, `max-content`, and `fit-content`, and when to use each property.

## Understanding min-content

`min-content` is a CSS property that defines the width of an element **as the minimum width it needs to contain its content**. This property will take precedence over any other width property and will adjust itself to fit the content within it. For example, if you had a div with `min-content` set and the text inside was wrapped at 10 characters, the div would expand to fit the full 10 characters.

![Implementaion result of min-content element width](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/egmxdeni8wfbjslo8zrc.png)

When to use `min-content`: `min-content` is best used when you want **to ensure that an element will never be smaller than the content inside**.

## Understanding max-content

`max-content` is the opposite of `min-content`, as it sets the width of an element **to the maximum width it can be before it overflows its container**. This property will take precedence over any other width properties and will adjust itself to fit within its container. For example, if you had a div with `max-content` set and the text inside was wrapped at 10 characters, the div would shrink to fit the full 10 characters.

![Implementaion result of max-content element width](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/x7wj1jvas8xbjzyn1c2g.png)

When to use `max-content`: `max-content` is best used when you want to ensure that an element **will never be larger than its container**.

## Understanding fit-content

`fit-content` is a combination of `min-content` and `max-content`, as it sets the width of an element to the **minimum width it needs to contain its content, but no larger than the width of its container**. This property will take precedence over any other width properties and will adjust itself to fit both its content and its container. For example, if you had a div with `fit-content` set and the text inside was wrapped at 10 characters, the div would expand to fit the full 10 characters but no larger than its container.

![Implementaion result of fit-content element width](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/hle37xxstttmee2mxp5i.png)

When to use `fit-content`: `fit-content` is best used when you want to ensure that an element **will never be smaller than its content, but no larger than its container**.

## Comparison of the three width properties

When it comes to width properties in CSS, `min-content`, `max-content`, and `fit-content` each have different uses and benefits.

![Comparison of using all three width properties](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/h8jyousa6ub0jvarq6ta.png)

`min-content` ensures that an element will never be smaller than the content inside it, while `max-content` ensures that an element will never be larger than its container. `fit-content` combines these two properties, ensuring that an element will never be smaller than the content inside it, but no larger than the container.

![Comparison of using all three width properties on smaller viewport" className="mx-auto](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/w86j3j4mxg44poji22de.png)

- `min-content` guarantees that an element will always fit the content inside it. However, it can lead to elements that are larger than their container.
- `max-content` guarantees that an element will never exceed its container. However, it can lead to elements that are smaller than their content.
- `fit-content` guarantees that an element will never be smaller than its content nor larger than its container. However, this property does not have any major drawbacks.

## Conclusion

In conclusion, `min-content`, `max-content`, and `fit-content` are three width properties in CSS that each have their own uses and benefits. `min-content` ensures that an element will never be smaller than the content inside it, while `max-content` ensures that an element will never be larger than its container. `fit-content` combines these two properties, ensuring that an element will never be smaller than the content inside it, but no larger than its container.

When deciding which property to use, it is important to consider the design of your project and the desired outcome. `min-content` is best used when you want to ensure that an element will never be smaller than the content inside it, while `max-content` is best used when you want to ensure that an element will never be larger than its container. `fit-content` is best used when you want to ensure that an element will never be smaller than its content, but no larger than its container.

We hope this article has helped you understand the differences between `min-content`, `max-content`, and `fit-content` and when to use each one. For further reading, we recommend exploring additional CSS properties and techniques for responsive design.