Fixing Default WordPress Gallery Columns in the Classic Editor

  CSS Tips WordPress     By

The WordPress Classic Editor is still a favorite for many users due to its simplicity and straightforward approach to creating content. However, one common issue users face is that the default WordPress gallery doesn’t display the correct number of columns as intended.

This problem typically arises due to missing or conflicting CSS styles in your theme. Fortunately, you can easily fix this with a few CSS tweaks to ensure your galleries display beautifully in 2, 3, 4, or 5 columns.

Why Gallery Columns Break in WordPress

WordPress galleries rely on specific CSS classes such as .gallery and .gallery-columns-X (where X represents the number of columns). If your theme doesn’t include the necessary styles or overrides them, the gallery items may stack incorrectly or fail to display in the desired layout.

The Solution: Custom CSS for WordPress Galleries

To fix this issue, you can add the following CSS code to your website. This ensures your galleries display properly for 2, 3, 4, and 5 columns, with responsive adjustments for smaller screens.

Steps to Apply the Fix:

  1. Go to your WordPress admin dashboard.
  2. Navigate to Appearance > Customize > Additional CSS.
  3. Copy and paste the CSS code below.
  4. Save your changes and refresh your website to see the updated gallery layout.
/* General Gallery Styling */
.gallery {
    display: flex;
    flex-wrap: wrap;
    gap: 10px; /* Adjust spacing as needed */
}

.gallery-item {
    margin: 0; /* Remove unwanted margins */
}

.gallery-icon img {
    display: block;
    width: 100%;
    height: auto;
}

/* 2 Columns */
.gallery-columns-2 .gallery-item {
    width: calc(50% - 10px); /* Two columns */
}

/* 3 Columns */
.gallery-columns-3 .gallery-item {
    width: calc(33.333% - 10px); /* Three columns */
}

/* 4 Columns */
.gallery-columns-4 .gallery-item {
    width: calc(25% - 10px); /* Four columns */
}

/* 5 Columns */
.gallery-columns-5 .gallery-item {
    width: calc(20% - 10px); /* Five columns */
}

/* Responsive Design */
@media (max-width: 768px) {
    .gallery-columns-2 .gallery-item,
    .gallery-columns-3 .gallery-item,
    .gallery-columns-4 .gallery-item,
    .gallery-columns-5 .gallery-item {
        width: calc(50% - 10px); /* Two columns on smaller screens */
    }
}

@media (max-width: 480px) {
    .gallery-columns-2 .gallery-item,
    .gallery-columns-3 .gallery-item,
    .gallery-columns-4 .gallery-item,
    .gallery-columns-5 .gallery-item {
        width: calc(100% - 10px); /* Single column on very small screens */
    }
}

How This CSS Works

  1. Dynamic Column Widths: The .gallery-columns-X classes determine the number of columns, with the width for each .gallery-item calculated dynamically (e.g., 25% for 4 columns, 20% for 5 columns).
  2. Responsive Adjustments: On devices with smaller screens, the gallery switches to 2 columns (on tablets) or 1 column (on mobile) for better readability and usability.
  3. Flexible Gaps: The gap property ensures consistent spacing between items, which you can adjust as needed.

Final Thoughts

By applying this simple CSS fix, you can resolve the gallery column issue in the WordPress Classic Editor and achieve a polished, responsive layout. Whether you’re showcasing photography, artwork, or any visual content, your galleries will now look professional across all devices.

Let us know if this guide helped you or if you’d like more tips for optimizing WordPress galleries!

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