HTML Tables vs. CSS Grid: Which Layout Option Is Best?

When you're putting together a website, the layout is key. It’s what gives everything structure and makes it easy for users to find their way around.

In the past, HTML tables were the go-to solution for layouts. They got the job done, but as web development evolved, we’ve moved on to more modern tools like CSS Grid, which offers way more flexibility.

So now, the big question: Should you stick with HTML Tables or switch to CSS Grid for your layouts?

Let’s dive into what each one can do, their strengths and weaknesses, and when you’d want to use them.

What makes HTML tables and CSS Grid unique?

Understanding the differences between HTML Tables and CSS Grid is the first step toward knowing when to use each.

1. Purpose and Use Cases

• HTML Tables: Tables were created specifically for presenting tabular data. If your content consists of rows and columns of related information, such as sales data, schedules, or price comparisons, tables are the right choice.

  They organize data in a grid-like format and ensure accessibility for screen readers and other assistive technologies.

• CSS Grid: CSS Grid, on the other hand, was created to structure the layout of an entire webpage or sections within a page.

  It allows developers to design complex page layouts, with elements placed freely across rows and columns without being restricted to a purely tabular format.

  CSS Grid is ideal for web page layouts that require responsiveness and adaptability across different devices and screen sizes. This flexibility is also beneficial when converting designs from tools like DhiWise’s Figma to HTML.

2. Flexibility

• HTML Tables: Tables are inherently rigid. They lock content into rows and columns, which makes it difficult to create more dynamic layouts.

  Although tables can be styled with CSS to some degree, they are far less flexible when compared to modern layout techniques like CSS Grid.

The inflexibility of HTML tables becomes especially problematic when trying to design responsive layouts for different screen sizes.

• CSS Grid: Flexibility is the core strength of CSS Grid. You can place elements freely on the grid and rearrange them based on screen size using media queries.

  With features like grid-template-areas, grid-gap, and grid-auto-flow, CSS Grid enables the creation of highly flexible, responsive layouts that work seamlessly across devices.

  This is particularly useful for multi-column or multi-row layouts that need to adjust as screen sizes change.

3. Accessibility

• HTML Tables: Tables are highly accessible when used for their intended purpose—displaying tabular data.

  Screen readers and other assistive technologies can easily interpret tables, allowing users to navigate through rows and columns of data logically.

  HTML tables come with built-in semantic meaning through the <table>, <thead>, <tbody>, and <tfoot> tags, which help convey information structure to users with disabilities.

• CSS Grid: CSS Grid does not inherently convey any semantic meaning. When you use CSS Grid, you're simply laying out elements visually without defining a relationship between those elements for assistive technologies.

  However, by combining CSS Grid with semantic HTML tags (such as <article>, <section>, and <nav>), you can still create accessible layouts.

  The key is ensuring that your HTML structure remains logical and meaningful, regardless of the visual layout.

4. Performance

• HTML Tables: HTML tables can impact performance negatively when used improperly for page layouts.

  Large, complex tables with many nested rows and columns tend to increase page load times and make the website harder to maintain.

  Furthermore, table-based layouts require more code compared to modern CSS-based layouts, leading to bloated HTML.

• CSS Grid: CSS Grid offers better performance for layout structures because it allows developers to control the placement of elements without adding unnecessary HTML markup.

  This reduces the overall size of your HTML file, leading to faster page load times. Moreover, CSS Grid's responsiveness and ability to rearrange items without duplicating markup make it more efficient for modern web applications.

5. Maintenance

• HTML Tables: When tables are used for layout purposes, they quickly become difficult to maintain.

  Nested tables, complicated rowspan and colspan attributes, and inline styles can lead to messy code that’s hard to update or troubleshoot. Even small layout changes can require extensive revisions to the HTML structure.

• CSS Grid: CSS Grid is much easier to maintain, especially when building complex layouts. Changes to layout structure can often be achieved simply by modifying the CSS file, without needing to touch the HTML.

  This separation of content and presentation simplifies the development process, as you can update the design without worrying about breaking the underlying HTML.

Pros and Cons of HTML Tables

Pros:

• Best for Tabular Data: Tables remain the most appropriate option for displaying structured data.
• Accessibility: HTML tables are naturally accessible, as screen readers can easily interpret their structure.
• Simple for Data Representation: When the goal is to display data in rows and columns, tables are simple and intuitive.

Cons:

• Poor for Layouts: Tables are not meant for webpage layouts, and using them as such results in rigid, hard-to-maintain code.
• Limited Flexibility: Tables lack the flexibility required for responsive web design.
• Performance Issues: Large, nested tables can cause slow page loads and hinder performance.

Pros and Cons of CSS Grid

Pros:

• Highly Flexible: CSS Grid allows for dynamic, responsive layouts that adapt across different screen sizes.
• Great for Complex Layouts: With two-dimensional control, CSS Grid can create intricate layouts effortlessly.
• Separation of Content and Presentation: With CSS Grid, the HTML remains clean and focused on content, while the visual layout is handled entirely with CSS.
• Responsive Design: CSS Grid makes it easy to rearrange elements based on screen size, offering better control over responsiveness.

Cons:

• Learning Curve: CSS Grid has a steeper learning curve than tables due to its more advanced features and syntax.
• Requires CSS Support: Older browsers may not fully support CSS Grid (although support is now widespread), which could require fallback solutions for compatibility.

When to Use HTML Tables vs. CSS Grid

Use HTML Tables When:

• You need to display tabular data, such as schedules, reports, or product comparisons.
• Accessibility is a primary concern for tabular content.
• The structure of your data is inherently row-and-column based.

Use CSS Grid When:

• You are building a website or application layout that requires flexibility and responsiveness.
• You need to create complex, multi-dimensional layouts.
• You want to keep your HTML clean and free of layout-specific elements.

Final Dev Thoughts

Both HTML Tables and CSS Grid have their place in web development, but they serve different purposes. HTML Tables are still the best choice for displaying structured data in a grid format.

However, for creating flexible, responsive layouts, CSS Grid is the clear winner. As web development evolves, the use of CSS Grid for layouts ensures better performance, maintainability, and adaptability, making it the superior choice for most modern web applications.

In short, the best option depends on your specific use case: use HTML Tables for data and embrace CSS Grid for layouts.

If you're looking to enhance your website with expert layouts or manage data effectively, be sure to hire HTML developers who can help implement the best practices for your project.