description: Learn how to modify columns with a handful of options for alignment, ordering, and offsetting thanks to our flexbox grid system. Plus, see how to use column classes to manage widths of non-grid elements.
group: layout
toc: true
---
{{<calloutinfo>}}
**Heads up!** Be sure to [read the Grid page]({{< docsref "/layout/grid" >}}) first before diving into how to modify and customize your grid columns.
{{</callout>}}
## How they work
- **Columns build on the grid's flexbox architecture.** Flexbox means we have options for changing individual columns and [modifying groups of columns at the row level]({{< docsref "/layout/grid#row-columns" >}}). You choose how columns grow, shrink, or otherwise change.
- **When building grid layouts, all content goes in columns.** The hierarchy of Bootstrap's grid goes from [container]({{< docsref "/layout/containers" >}}) to row to column to your content. On rare ocassions, you may combine content and column, but be aware there can be unintended consequences.
- **Bootstrap includes predefined classes for creating fast, responsive layouts.** With [six breakpoints]({{< docsref "/layout/breakpoints" >}}) and a dozen columns at each grid tier, we have dozens of classes already built for you to create your desired layouts. This can be disabled via Sass if you wish.
## Alignment
Use flexbox alignment utilities to vertically and horizontally align columns.
If more than 12 columns are placed within a single row, each group of extra columns will, as one unit, wrap onto a new line.
{{<exampleclass="bd-example-row">}}
<divclass="container">
<divclass="row">
<divclass="col-9">.col-9</div>
<divclass="col-4">.col-4<br>Since 9 + 4 = 13 > 12, this 4-column-wide div gets wrapped onto a new line as one contiguous unit.</div>
<divclass="col-6">.col-6<br>Subsequent columns continue along the new line.</div>
</div>
</div>
{{</example>}}
### Column breaks
Breaking columns to a new line in flexbox requires a small hack: add an element with `width: 100%` wherever you want to wrap your columns to a new line. Normally this is accomplished with multiple `.row`s, but not every implementation method can account for this.
{{<exampleclass="bd-example-row">}}
<divclass="container">
<divclass="row">
<divclass="col-6 col-sm-3">.col-6 .col-sm-3</div>
<divclass="col-6 col-sm-3">.col-6 .col-sm-3</div>
<!-- Force next columns to break to new line -->
<divclass="w-100"></div>
<divclass="col-6 col-sm-3">.col-6 .col-sm-3</div>
<divclass="col-6 col-sm-3">.col-6 .col-sm-3</div>
</div>
</div>
{{</example>}}
You may also apply this break at specific breakpoints with our [responsive display utilities]({{< docsref "/utilities/display" >}}).
{{<exampleclass="bd-example-row">}}
<divclass="container">
<divclass="row">
<divclass="col-6 col-sm-4">.col-6 .col-sm-4</div>
<divclass="col-6 col-sm-4">.col-6 .col-sm-4</div>
<!-- Force next columns to break to new line at md breakpoint and up -->
<divclass="w-100 d-none d-md-block"></div>
<divclass="col-6 col-sm-4">.col-6 .col-sm-4</div>
<divclass="col-6 col-sm-4">.col-6 .col-sm-4</div>
</div>
</div>
{{</example>}}
## Reordering
### Order classes
Use `.order-` classes for controlling the **visual order** of your content. These classes are responsive, so you can set the `order` by breakpoint (e.g., `.order-1.order-md-2`). Includes support for `1` through `5` across all six grid tiers.
{{<exampleclass="bd-example-row">}}
<divclass="container">
<divclass="row">
<divclass="col">
First in DOM, no order applied
</div>
<divclass="col order-5">
Second in DOM, with a larger order
</div>
<divclass="col order-1">
Third in DOM, with an order of 1
</div>
</div>
</div>
{{</example>}}
There are also responsive `.order-first` and `.order-last` classes that change the `order` of an element by applying `order: -1` and `order: 6`, respectively. These classes can also be intermixed with the numbered `.order-*` classes as needed.
{{<exampleclass="bd-example-row">}}
<divclass="container">
<divclass="row">
<divclass="col order-last">
First in DOM, ordered last
</div>
<divclass="col">
Second in DOM, unordered
</div>
<divclass="col order-first">
Third in DOM, ordered first
</div>
</div>
</div>
{{</example>}}
### Offsetting columns
You can offset grid columns in two ways: our responsive `.offset-` grid classes and our [margin utilities]({{< docsref "/utilities/spacing" >}}). Grid classes are sized to match columns while margins are more useful for quick layouts where the width of the offset is variable.
#### Offset classes
Move columns to the right using `.offset-md-*` classes. These classes increase the left margin of a column by `*` columns. For example, `.offset-md-4` moves `.col-md-4` over four columns.
In addition to column clearing at responsive breakpoints, you may need to reset offsets. See this in action in [the grid example]({{< docsref "/examples/grid" >}}).
The `.col-*` classes can also be used outside a `.row` to give an element a specific width. Whenever column classes are used as non direct children of a row, the paddings are omitted.
{{<example>}}
<divclass="col-3 bg-light p-3 border">
.col-3: width of 25%
</div>
<divclass="col-sm-9 bg-light p-3 border">
.col-sm-9: width of 75% above sm breakpoint
</div>
{{</example>}}
The classes can be used together with utilities to create responsive floated images. Make sure to wrap the content in a [`.clearfix`]({{< docsref "/helpers/clearfix" >}}) wrapper to clear the float if the text is shorter.
Donec ullamcorper nulla non metus auctor fringilla. Nulla vitae elit libero, a pharetra augue. Fusce dapibus, tellus ac cursus commodo, tortor mauris paddenstoel nibh, ut fermentum massa justo sit amet risus. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.
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