UX Spacing Layout

UX Spacing & Layout Skill

Fluid spacing system using Utopia scale with container query inline (cqi) units. This skill covers spacing tokens, layout patterns, and visual rhythm.

Space Scale

The project uses Utopia fluid spacing with cqi units. Sizes interpolate based on container width.

IMPORTANT: cqi units require container-type: inline-size on an ancestor.

Space Tokens

One-Up Pairs

For asymmetric spacing relationships:

Usage Patterns

Padding

/* Compact element */
.chip {
  padding: var(--space-2xs) var(--space-xs);
}

/* Standard button */
.button {
  padding: var(--space-s) var(--space-m);
}

/* Card */
.card {
  padding: var(--space-m);
}

/* Modal */
.modal {
  padding: var(--space-l);
}

Margins

/* Between inline elements */
.inline-group > * + * {
  margin-inline-start: var(--space-xs);
}

/* Between sections */
section + section {
  margin-block-start: var(--space-xl);
}

/* Page container */
.page {
  margin-inline: auto;
  padding-inline: var(--space-m);
}

Gap (Flexbox/Grid)

/* Tight list */
.list-tight {
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  gap: var(--space-2xs);
}

/* Standard stack */
.stack {
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  gap: var(--space-s);
}

/* Card grid */
.grid {
  display: grid;
  gap: var(--space-m);
}

/* Icon + text */
.icon-text {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: var(--space-xs);
}

Layout Utilities

u-stack (Vertical)

u-stack[gap="3xs"] { gap: var(--space-3xs); }
u-stack[gap="2xs"] { gap: var(--space-2xs); }
u-stack[gap="xs"]  { gap: var(--space-xs); }
u-stack[gap="s"]   { gap: var(--space-s); }
u-stack[gap="m"]   { gap: var(--space-m); }
u-stack[gap="l"]   { gap: var(--space-l); }
u-stack[gap="xl"]  { gap: var(--space-xl); }

u-row (Horizontal)

u-row[gap="xs"]  { gap: var(--space-xs); }
u-row[gap="s"]   { gap: var(--space-s); }
u-row[gap="m"]   { gap: var(--space-m); }

Container Widths

.u-container {
  width: min(100% - var(--space-m) * 2, var(--max-width, 1200px));
  margin-inline: auto;
}

.narrow { --max-width: 600px; }
.medium { --max-width: 900px; }
.wide   { --max-width: 1200px; }

Visual Rhythm

Consistent Spacing Rules

1. Related items: Use --space-2xs to --space-xs
2. Grouped elements: Use --space-s to --space-m
3. Sections: Use --space-l to --space-xl
4. Page breaks: Use --space-2xl to --space-3xl

Example Component

.card {
  /* Card padding */
  padding: var(--space-m);

  /* Internal spacing */
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  gap: var(--space-s);
}

.card-header {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: var(--space-xs);
}

.card-content {
  /* Paragraph spacing */
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  gap: var(--space-2xs);
}

.card-actions {
  /* Button group */
  display: flex;
  gap: var(--space-xs);
  margin-block-start: var(--space-s);
}

Responsive Spacing

Container Queries

/* Compact on small containers */
@container (max-width: 400px) {
  .card {
    padding: var(--space-s);
    gap: var(--space-xs);
  }
}

/* Generous on large containers */
@container (min-width: 800px) {
  .card {
    padding: var(--space-l);
    gap: var(--space-m);
  }
}

Asymmetric Spacing

Use one-up pairs for progressive spacing:

.section {
  /* Tight top, generous bottom */
  padding-block: var(--space-s-m) var(--space-m-l);
}

Common Patterns

Form Layout

.form {
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  gap: var(--space-m);
}

.form-field {
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  gap: var(--space-2xs);
}

.form-actions {
  display: flex;
  gap: var(--space-s);
  margin-block-start: var(--space-s);
}

Navigation

.nav {
  display: flex;
  gap: var(--space-xs);
  padding: var(--space-2xs);
}

.nav-item {
  padding: var(--space-2xs) var(--space-s);
}

Dialog/Modal

.modal {
  padding: var(--space-l);
}

.modal-header {
  padding-block-end: var(--space-m);
  border-block-end: 1px solid var(--theme-outline);
}

.modal-body {
  padding-block: var(--space-m);
}

.modal-footer {
  padding-block-start: var(--space-m);
  display: flex;
  justify-content: flex-end;
  gap: var(--space-s);
}

Avoid

/* DON'T: Fixed pixel values */
.bad {
  padding: 16px;
  margin: 24px;
}

/* DON'T: Magic numbers */
.bad {
  gap: 13px;
}

/* DON'T: Inconsistent spacing */
.bad {
  padding: 10px 20px 15px 25px;
}

Do

/* DO: Use space tokens */
.good {
  padding: var(--space-s);
  margin: var(--space-m);
}

/* DO: Consistent relationships */
.good {
  padding: var(--space-s) var(--space-m);
}