SwiftUI Layout Guide: Master VStack, HStack, ZStack & Grids in 4 Minutes
So here's the thing - when I first started with SwiftUI, layouts were my biggest headache. I'd spend hours trying to figure out why my views weren't aligning properly, or why my grid wasn't behaving the way I expected.
VStack, HStack, ZStack, Grid, LazyVGrid... the options seemed endless, and honestly? The documentation didn't always make it clear when to use what.
After building dozens of iOS apps and making pretty much every layout mistake possible, I've finally put together a comprehensive guide that covers everything you need to know about SwiftUI layouts.
What You'll Learn
In this 4-minute tutorial, I break down:
- VStack & HStack fundamentals - When to stack vertically vs horizontally
- Alignment and spacing control - Making your layouts look professional
- ZStack for layered views - Perfect for badges, overlays, and backgrounds
- Grid layouts - Clean, structured 2D content without the performance overhead
- LazyVGrid & LazyHGrid - When you need scrollable collections that perform well
- Real-world decision making - Which layout to choose for different scenarios
Why This Matters
Look, I get it. Layout seems basic, but it's literally the foundation of every iOS app you'll build. Get this wrong, and you'll spend way too much time debugging simple UI issues instead of focusing on your app's core functionality.
The difference between a beginner and an experienced SwiftUI developer often comes down to layout decisions. Knowing when to reach for a ZStack instead of a VStack, or when LazyVGrid is overkill for your use case - these small decisions add up.
What I Wish Someone Had Told Me
Actually, let me share something that would've saved me hours: Spacer() is your best friend in HStack layouts. I used to try complex alignment tricks when a simple Spacer would've done the job perfectly.
Also, here's a mistake I made way too often - using LazyVGrid for everything. Sometimes a simple VStack with HStacks is cleaner and more maintainable than a complex grid setup.
Watch the Tutorial
The tutorial includes complete code examples for each layout type, plus a real-world example that combines all of them into a practical profile view.
Your Turn
What's been your biggest SwiftUI layout challenge? Are you team VStack or do you prefer working with Grids? Drop a comment below - I'd love to hear about your experiences and any specific layout problems you're dealing with.
And if this helps you avoid some of the layout headaches I went through, consider following me here on dev.to for more iOS development content.
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