How and When to Use the CSS Flex-Flow Shorthand

1. Using CSS flex-flow
2. The Syntax for flex flow
2.1. Values for flex-wrap
2.2. Values for flex-direction
3. Browser support

Using CSS flex-flow

The CSS flex-flow property is actually a shorthand for flex-direction and flex-wrap properties. It sets the direction of flex items and whether they wrap in a single statement:

Example

p {
    display: -webkit-flex; /* Safari */
    -webkit-flex-flow: column wrap-reverse; /* Safari 6.1 and newer */ 
    display: flex;
    flex-flow: column wrap-reverse;
}

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Note: you can only use flex-flow with flex items placed in flex containers.

The Syntax for flex flow

Using the flex-flow CSS shorthand is very simple, as you can define either one or two values in any order:

flex-flow: direction wrap;

The available values for both properties will be explained in the following sections.

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Values for flex-wrap

Value	Definition
`nowrap`	The default value. All the flex items are in one line, even if they have to stick out of the borders
`wrap`	The flex items are in several lines. Their position depends on `flex-direction`
`wrap-reverse`	The flex items are in several lines. Their position is the opposite of the value in `flex-direction`

Values for flex-direction

Value	Definition
`row`	The default value. Sets the row of flex items in the same direction as text
`row-reverse`	Sets the items in the direction opposite to text
`column`	Same as `row`, but applies flexbox vertical align
`column-reverse`	Same as `row-reverse`, but applies flexbox vertical align

Browser support

Chrome

29+

Edge

12+

Firefox

28+

IE

11+

Opera

12.1+

Safari

Mobile browser support

Chrome

29+

Firefox

28+

Opera

12.1+

Safari

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The CSS Flex-Flow Property

Contents

Using CSS flex-flow