KPI cards

Build a KPI cards grid with flexbox.

KPI cards side by side with flex

At the top of a sales dashboard we show summary metrics: daily revenue, new customer count, average basket and so on. These are called KPI cards and usually sit side by side.

The handiest way to lay them out is display: flex. After making the container flex, we add gap for spacing and flex-wrap: wrap so cards drop to a new row when space runs out.

Theme colors with custom properties

In lesson one we defined --bg and --card-bg variables. Now we use them: the card background is set with var(--card-bg). This way we can retheme from one place.

If you want a different theme later, just update the :root block; cards, headings and the table pick up the new color automatically.

KPI card design

Each KPI card holds a label (e.g. 'Daily Revenue'), a large value and a small change tag. We set the card background with var(--card-bg) to make it white, add inner padding and round the corners.

In this lesson we only add background and padding; shadow and rounded corners come in the final lesson.

Exercise Add KPI cards: .kpi-list and .kpi-card

Add a .kpi-list block to the stylesheet. Give it display: flex, flex-wrap: wrap and gap: 16px. Then add a .kpi-card block; set its background with var(--card-bg) and add padding: 16px.

Show example solution

/* Sales Dashboard stylesheet */

:root {
  --bg: #f5f7fa;
  --card-bg: #ffffff;
}

.dashboard {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: 220px 1fr;
  grid-template-rows: 60px 1fr;
  grid-template-areas:
    "sidebar header"
    "sidebar main";
}

.sidebar { grid-area: sidebar; }
.header  { grid-area: header; }
.main    { grid-area: main; }

.kpi-list {
  display: flex;
  flex-wrap: wrap;
  gap: 16px;
}

.kpi-card {
  background: var(--card-bg);
  padding: 16px;
}

Test yourself

What flex-wrap value moves cards to a new row when the container shrinks?
- nowrap
- wrap-reverse
- wrap
- inherit
Show answer

wrap — Correct. wrap moves cards to a new row automatically.

Add 16 pixels of space between cards

.kpi-list {
  display: flex;
  flex-wrap: wrap;
  ____;
}

Show answer

.kpi-list {
  display: flex;
  flex-wrap: wrap;
  gap: 16px;
}

Match each declaration to its purpose

display: flex

flex container
flex-wrap

drop cards to next row
gap

space between items
var()

call a variable

Next lesson: Data table

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