Creating responsive layouts that feel like traditional tables—but behave beautifully on all screen sizes—can be tricky. We recently tackled this challenge in a project and discovered a slick way to replicate table behavior using div table Bootstrap techniques.
So, what did we do? We leaned into the power of Bootstrap 4’s flexible grid system and styled div elements to look and feel like a table—without sacrificing responsiveness. The result? A layout that shines on desktops and still adapts seamlessly to mobile devices.
Let’s break down how it works and how you can easily use it in your own projects.
Why Use a Div Table with Bootstrap Instead of <table>?
Tables are great for displaying tabular data. But they’re notoriously rigid when it comes to mobile screens. Bootstrap’s grid system offers a responsive structure using rows and columns, making it ideal for mimicking tables using divs.
By styling rows like table rows and columns like cells, we gain the visual benefits of a table with all the flexibility of a mobile-first grid. It’s a win-win.
Features of Our Custom Bootstrap Div Table
Our version of a div table Bootstrap layout includes:
• A header row styled like a <thead>
• Striped row styling for better readability
• Hover effects for interactivity
• Responsive hiding of headers on small screens to improve mobile UX
This approach keeps your content clean and legible no matter the screen size.
Responsive HTML Example Using Bootstrap 4
<div class="container">
<div class="row table-head">
<div class="col-md-4">
Heading 1
</div>
<div class="col-md-4">
Heading 2
</div>
<div class="col-md-4">
Heading 3
</div>
</div>
<div class="row striped">
<div class="col-md-4">
One
</div>
<div class="col-md-4">
Two
</div>
<div class="col-md-4">
Three
</div>
</div>
<div class="row striped">
<div class="col-md-4">
Four
</div>
<div class="col-md-4">
Five
</div>
<div class="col-md-4">
Six
</div>
</div>
<div class="row striped">
<div class="col-md-4">
Seven
</div>
<div class="col-md-4">
Eight
</div>
<div class="col-md-4">
Nine
</div>
</div>
</div>Custom CSS for Table-Like Styling
row.table-head{color: #fff ; background: #71b802; padding: 1rem; font-weight: 500; text-transform: uppercase;}
.row.striped{color: #000; padding: 1rem; background: #90ea02;}
.row.striped:nth-child(odd){
background: #c6fe6e;
}
.row.striped:focus,.row.striped:hover{
background: #bcfd55;
}
@media (max-width: 767.98px) {row.table-head{display:none;} }
This CSS introduces clean visuals and ensures every other row stands out using alternating background colors.
How It Improves Mobile Experience
The key trick? We hide the table headers on small screens. Why? Because on mobile, screen space is gold. Instead of cluttering the view, users focus directly on the content. This simplifies navigation and improves clarity without removing important info for desktop users.
Wrapping It All Up
By using this div table Bootstrap strategy, we effectively mimic a traditional table layout while fully embracing responsive design principles. Whether you’re building dashboards, reports, or data-heavy pages, this setup ensures:
• Clean and consistent layout across devices
• Fully customizable styles
• Easy integration with Bootstrap 4
And most importantly—it just works.
Want More?
If you’re curious about advanced Bootstrap tricks, don’t miss our guide on how Inforest Communications created a modern website design with a left-side menu for desktops and a top-down menu for mobile users. Yes, all built with Bootstrap 4 and a sprinkle of ingenuity.