Why isn't my media query adjusting the layout on different screen sizes as expected?

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Why isn't my media query adjusting the layout on different screen sizes as expected?

Asked on Jan 08, 2026

Answer

Media queries are a powerful tool for responsive design, but they require precise conditions to work correctly. Ensure your media query syntax is correct and that it's placed in the right part of your CSS file.

<!-- BEGIN COPY / PASTE -->
    /* Example of a media query for screens smaller than 600px */
    @media (max-width: 600px) {
      .container {
        flex-direction: column;
      }
    }
    <!-- END COPY / PASTE -->

Additional Comment:

Ensure the media query is placed after the default styles in your CSS file to override them correctly.
Verify that the CSS selector within the media query matches the elements you intend to style.
Check if there are any conflicting styles that might be overriding your media query.
Use browser developer tools to inspect elements and see which styles are being applied.
Make sure your viewport meta tag is set correctly in the HTML for responsive behavior: <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">.

✅ Answered with CSS best practices.

Ask any question about CSS here... and get an instant response.

Why isn't my media query adjusting the layout on different screen sizes as expected?

Asked on Jan 08, 2026

Answer

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