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columns-system

The columns system

Last reviewed May 28, 2026 Content v20260528
Track mode
iframe_html
Means
HTML preview sandbox
Reading
~2 min
Level
beginner

This lesson

This lesson teaches The columns system—the ideas, syntax, and habits you need before moving on in Bulma.

Bulma offers a lighter component model when Bootstrap feels too heavy or dated.

You will apply The columns system in contexts like: Smaller marketing sites, internal dashboards, and projects that need quick responsive layout with minimal JS.

Read the lesson, edit HTML/CSS in the playground, press Run to preview, then answer the lesson MCQs.

When the previous lesson's MCQs feel easy and you can explain The columns system in your own words.

Bulma’s layout is a flexbox column system: a columns wrapper is the flex container, and each direct column child shares horizontal space. Unlike Bootstrap’s 12-column grid, Bulma sizes columns with fraction modifiers rather than numeric spans by default.

Core building blocks

  • columns — flex container; add is-mobile, is-multiline, or is-centered as needed
  • column — flexible child; grows to fill unless a size modifier is set
  • is-gapless — removes horizontal margins between columns

Concepts from CSS flexbox still apply—Bulma wraps them in predictable class names. A minimal valid layout is columnscolumn → content.

Important interview questions and answers

  1. Q: columns vs column?
    A: columns is the flex row; column is each flex item. You need both for the grid to behave.
  2. Q: How is Bulma’s system different from Bootstrap’s row/col?
    A: Bootstrap uses a 12-track grid with col-md-6; Bulma uses flex fractions like is-half or twelfths like is-4 on column.

Self-check

  1. What two classes form the smallest valid Bulma layout?
  2. What does is-multiline on columns do?

Challenge

Three equal columns

  1. Wrap three .column elements in .columns.
  2. Add is-one-third or equal width columns and resize the preview.

Done when: three columns sit in one row on desktop and stack on narrow widths when responsive classes are applied.

Interview prep

What wraps columns in Bulma?

A parent .columns flex container; each child .column is a flex item.

Interview tip Lesson completion confidence

Can you explain this lesson in 30 seconds without reading notes?

Not saved yet.

Playground

Runs in your browser in a sandboxed frame. Backend runners appear when this track’s profile allows them.

Check yourself

Multiple choice — immediate feedback.

Discussion

Past discussion is visible to everyone. Only logged-in users can post comments and replies.

Starter discussion topics

  • What breaks without .columns parent?
  • How many columns in your row?

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