If you are new to flutter you must be wondering what is Container then,

A Container is a convenience widget that combines common painting, positioning, and sizing widgets.

You can use Container to any widgets to add some styling properties.

Let’s look into the parameters of a container.

Container({
  Key key,
  this.alignment,
  this.padding,
  Color color,
  Decoration decoration,
  this.foregroundDecoration,
  double width,
  double height,
  BoxConstraints constraints,
  this.margin,
  this.transform,
  this.child,
})

That’s a lot of properties, but no worries we have everything sorted.

Let’s dive into each and every property.

Color :

Center(
  child: Container(
    color: Colors.amber,
  ),
),

Child :

We can only add one child to the Container as it is a Single-child layout widget.

Container(
    color: Colors.amber,
    child: FlutterLogo(
      size: 400,
    ),
  ),
)

Alignment Property:

You can use Alignment, FractionalOffset, and AlignmentDirectional class for the alignment property in Container.

Alignment

In Alignment (0,0) means the center of the screen so if you assign Alignment(0,0) to the alignment property then it will be on the center of the screen.

Container(
    color: Colors.amber,
    child: FlutterLogo(
      size: 200,
    ),
   alignment: Alignment(0, 0),
  ),
)

Container(
  color: Colors.amber,
  child: FlutterLogo(
    size: 200,
  ),alignment: Alignment(1.0, 1.0),
)

Container(
  color: Colors.amber,
  child: FlutterLogo(
    size: 200,
  ),alignment: Alignment(-1.0, -1.0),
)

child: Container(
    color: Colors.amber,
    child: FlutterLogo(
      size: 200,
    ),alignment: Alignment(1.0, -1.0),
  )

Container(
  color: Colors.amber,
  child: FlutterLogo(
    size: 200,
  ),alignment: Alignment(-1.0, 1.0),
)

You can use constants that are already defined by Alignment Class.

Example:

Container(
  color: Colors.amber,
  child: FlutterLogo(
    size: 200,
  ),alignment: Alignment.bottomRight,
)

There are many other constants :

// The top left corner.
static const Alignment topLeft = Alignment(-1.0, -1.0);

// The center point along the top edge.
static const Alignment topCenter = Alignment(0.0, -1.0);

// The top right corner.
static const Alignment topRight = Alignment(1.0, -1.0);

// The center point along the left edge.
static const Alignment centerLeft = Alignment(-1.0, 0.0);

// The center point, both horizontally and vertically.
static const Alignment center = Alignment(0.0, 0.0);

// The center point along the right edge.
static const Alignment centerRight = Alignment(1.0, 0.0);

// The bottom left corner.
static const Alignment bottomLeft = Alignment(-1.0, 1.0);

// The center point along the bottom edge.
static const Alignment bottomCenter = Alignment(0.0, 1.0);

/// The bottom right corner.
static const Alignment bottomRight = Alignment(1.0, 1.0);

FractionalOffset

You can also user FractionalOffset with the alignment property of the Container.

In FractionalOffset, (0,0) means the top left of the screen so if you assign Alignment(0,0) to the alignment property then it will be on the top left of the screen.

FractionalOffset(double dx, double dy)

Example:

Container(
  color: Colors.amber,
  child: FlutterLogo(
    size: 200,
  ),alignment: FractionalOffset(0,0),
)

You can use constants that are already defined by FractionalOffset Class.

Example:

Container(
  color: Colors.amber,
  child: FlutterLogo(
    size: 200,
  ),alignment: FractionalOffset.topLeft,
)

There are many other constants :

/// The top left corner.
static const FractionalOffset topLeft = FractionalOffset(0.0, 0.0);

/// The center point along the top edge.
static const FractionalOffset topCenter = FractionalOffset(0.5, 0.0);

/// The top right corner.
static const FractionalOffset topRight = FractionalOffset(1.0, 0.0);

/// The center point along the left edge.
static const FractionalOffset centerLeft = FractionalOffset(0.0, 0.5);

/// The center point, both horizontally and vertically.
static const FractionalOffset center = FractionalOffset(0.5, 0.5);

/// The center point along the right edge.
static const FractionalOffset centerRight = FractionalOffset(1.0, 0.5);

/// The bottom left corner.
static const FractionalOffset bottomLeft = FractionalOffset(0.0, 1.0);

/// The center point along the bottom edge.
static const FractionalOffset bottomCenter = FractionalOffset(0.5, 1.0);

AlignmentDirectional

You can also user AlignmentDirectional with the alignment property of Container

AlignmentDirectional(this.start, this.y)

An offset that’s expressed as a fraction of a Size, but whose horizontal component is dependent on the writing direction.

Container(
  color: Colors.amber,
  child: FlutterLogo(
    size: 200,
  ),alignment: AlignmentDirectional(-1,1),
)

You can use constants that are already defined AlignmentDirectional Class

Example:

Container(
  color: Colors.amber,
  child: FlutterLogo(
    size: 200,
  ),alignment: AlignmentDirectional.topEnd,
)

There are many other constants :

/// The top corner on the "start" side.
static const AlignmentDirectional topStart = AlignmentDirectional(-1.0, -1.0);

/// The center point along the top edge.
///
/// Consider using [Alignment.topCenter] instead, as it does not need
/// to be [resolve]d to be used.
static const AlignmentDirectional topCenter = AlignmentDirectional(0.0, -1.0);

/// The top corner on the "end" side.
static const AlignmentDirectional topEnd = AlignmentDirectional(1.0, -1.0);

/// The center point along the "start" edge.
static const AlignmentDirectional centerStart = AlignmentDirectional(-1.0, 0.0);

/// The center point, both horizontally and vertically.
///
/// Consider using [Alignment.center] instead, as it does not need to
/// be [resolve]d to be used.
static const AlignmentDirectional center = AlignmentDirectional(0.0, 0.0);

/// The center point along the "end" edge.
static const AlignmentDirectional centerEnd = AlignmentDirectional(1.0, 0.0);

/// The bottom corner on the "start" side.
static const AlignmentDirectional bottomStart = AlignmentDirectional(-1.0, 1.0);

/// The center point along the bottom edge.
///

/// Consider using [Alignment.bottomCenter] instead, as it does not
/// need to be [resolve]d to be used.
static const AlignmentDirectional bottomCenter = AlignmentDirectional(0.0, 1.0);

/// The bottom corner on the "end" side.
static const AlignmentDirectional bottomEnd = AlignmentDirectional(1.0, 1.0);

Constraint Property:

Container(
  color: Colors.amber,
  child: FlutterLogo(
    size: 200,
  ),
  alignment: Alignment.center,
  constraints: BoxConstraints(
    maxHeight: 400,
    maxWidth: 400,
    minHeight: 100,
    minWidth: 100,
  ),
)

Decoration Property:

The decoration parameter is to paint behind the child.

We can use the BoxDecoration class to decorate the container.

To know more about B0xDecoration I have linked a blog below.

Flutter — BoxDecoration Cheat Sheet

Margin Property:

A margin is a property specifying to add space to surround the container.

We do it with EdgeInsets.

EdgeInsets.all

EdgeInsets.all(double value)

Example :

Container(
  alignment: Alignment.center,
  color: Colors.amber,
  child: FlutterLogo(
    size: 200,
  ),margin: EdgeInsets.all(50),
)

EdgeInsets.symmetric

EdgeInsets.symmetric({ double vertical = 0.0,
                           double horizontal = 0.0 })

Example:

Container(
  alignment: Alignment.center,
  color: Colors.amber,
  child: FlutterLogo(
    size: 200,
  ),
  margin: EdgeInsets.symmetric(horizontal: 70, vertical: 30),
)

EdgeInsets.fromLTRB :

EdgeInsets.fromLTRB(this.left, this.top, this.right, this.bottom)

Example :

Container(
  alignment: Alignment.center,
  color: Colors.amber,
  child: FlutterLogo(
    size: 200,
  ),
  margin: EdgeInsets.fromLTRB(20, 30, 40, 50),
)

EdgeInsets.only:

EdgeInsets.only({
  this.left = 0.0,
  this.top = 0.0,
  this.right = 0.0,
  this.bottom = 0.0
});

Example :

Container(
  alignment: Alignment.center,
  color: Colors.amber,
  child: FlutterLogo(
    size: 200,
  ),
  margin: EdgeInsets.only(left: 70, bottom: 50),
)

Padding Property :

When we add padding to a widget, we just add space inside of a widget, unlike margin which adds space outside the widget.

Container(
  alignment: Alignment.center,
  color: Colors.amber,
  child: FlutterLogo(
    size: 200,
  ),
  padding: EdgeInsets.only(left: 70, bottom: 50),
)

Before and after padding

EdgeInsets properties will be the same as of margin.

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You must have got an overview of a Container widget.

Now you are good to go.

Thanks for reading this article ❤

If I got something wrong? Let me know in the comments. I would love to improve.

Clap 👏 If this article helps you.

---

From Our Parent Company Aeologic

Aeologic Technologies is a leading AI-driven digital transformation company in India, helping businesses unlock growth with AI automation, IoT solutions, and custom web & mobile app development. We also specialize in AIDC solutions and technical manpower augmentation, offering end-to-end support from strategy and design to deployment and optimization.

Trusted across industries like manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, BFSI, and smart cities, Aeologic combines innovation with deep industry expertise to deliver future-ready solutions.

Feel free to connect with us:
And read more articles from FlutterDevs.com.

FlutterDevs team of Flutter developers to build high-quality and functionally-rich apps. Hire a flutter developer for your cross-platform Flutter mobile app project on an hourly or full-time basis as per your requirement! You can connect with us on Facebook, GitHub, Twitter, and LinkedIn for any flutter-related queries.

We welcome feedback and hope that you share what you’re working on using #FlutterDevs. We truly enjoy seeing how you use Flutter to build beautiful, interactive web experiences.

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If you’re here then you must’ve just started to work in Flutter and might have come across the Scaffold ‘thing’ almost everytime, like EVERYTIME and I am pretty sure you must’ve come across various ambiguous questions.

class MyHomePage extends StatelessWidget {
  @override
  Widget build(BuildContext context) {
    return Scaffold(
      appBar: AppBar(
        title: Text("Drawer Module"),
      ),
      drawer: Drawer(
        child: ListView(
          children: <Widget>[
            new UserAccountsDrawerHeader(
                accountName: Text("xyz"),
                accountEmail: Text("xyz@gmail.com"),
                currentAccountPicture: CircleAvatar(
                  backgroundColor: Colors.white,
                  child: Text("xyz"),
                ),
              otherAccountsPictures: <Widget>[
                new CircleAvatar(
                  backgroundColor: Colors.white,
                  child: Text("A"),
                )

              ],
            ),

This is just a example of a module showing the root and basic requirement of scaffold in building an app in Flutter.

So, you must be curious to know about the Scaffold widget and it’s properties in flutter. Don’t worry we got your back, this blog will give you the basic knowledge about Scaffold and how to use it while creating your basic module.

Let’s go…..

What is Scaffold?

A Scaffold Widget provides a framework which implements the basic material design visual layout structure of the flutter app. It provides APIs for showing drawers, snack bars and bottom sheets. Have a look at its constructor and the properties it has. We are going to overview it’s parameters one by one.

//Constructor of Scaffold

const Scaffold({
  Key key,
  this.appBar,
  this.body,
  this.floatingActionButton,
  this.floatingActionButtonLocation,
  this.floatingActionButtonAnimator,
  this.persistentFooterButtons,
  this.drawer,
  this.endDrawer,
  this.bottomNavigationBar,
  this.bottomSheet,
  this.backgroundColor,
  this.resizeToAvoidBottomPadding = true,
  this.primary = true,
})

Scaffold contains various functionality from giving an appbar, a floating button, a drawer, background color, bottom navigation bar, footer buttons,body. Now, let’s explore them individually:

• appBar
  An appBar is to display at the top of the scaffold it’s one of the primary content of Scaffold without which a scaffold widget is incomplete. It defines what has to be displayed at the top of the screen. appBar uses the AppBar widget properties through Scaffold.appBar. This AppBar widget itself has various properties like title, elevation,brightness etc to name a few.

Widget build(BuildContext context) {
  return Scaffold(
    appBar: AppBar(
      title: Text('Flutter Scaffold'),
    ),

Here, the title property of AppBar uses Text widget to display the text on the app bar.

• body
  body is the other primary and minimum required property of the scaffold which signifies the area below the app bar and behind the floatingActionButton and drawer. Any widget in the body of scaffold is positioned at the top-left corner by default.

Widget build(BuildContext context) {
  return Scaffold(
    appBar: AppBar(
      title: Text('Flutter Scaffold'),
    ),
    body: Center(
      child: Text("This is Homepage",
        style: TextStyle(
          color: Colors.black,
          fontSize: 40.0,
          fontStyle: FontStyle.italic,
        ),
      ),
    ),

Here, the body property of the Scaffold is used to display a text “This is HomePage”. The Centre widget is used to align the text at the centre of the body and a Text widget is used to give the text along with it’s style property which gives the text a color, fontsize and fontstyle. Don’t worry this blog isn’t about the Centre or Text or TextStyle widgets, they will be covered later.

• floatingActionButton
  A floatingActionButton is a button displayed floating above body in the bottom right corner. It is a circular icon button that hovers over content to promote a primary action in the application. floatingActionButton uses the FloatingActionButton widget properties through Scaffold.floatingActionButton.

  @override
  Widget build(BuildContext context) {
    return Scaffold(
      appBar: AppBar(
        title: Text('Flutter Scaffold'),
      ),
      body: Center(
        child: Text(
          "This is Homepage",
          style: TextStyle(
            color: Colors.black,
            fontSize: 40.0,
            fontStyle: FontStyle.italic,
          ),
        ),
      ),
      floatingActionButton: FloatingActionButton(
          elevation: 10.0,
          child: Icon(Icons.add),
          onPressed: (){
            print('I am Floating button');
          }
      ),
    );
  }

Here, the elevation property of the FloatingActionButton is used which gives shadow to the button and Icon widget is used to give an icon to the button. The onPressed property provides a callback that is called when the button is tapped, when you tap the button “ I am a Floating Button” gets printed on the console window refer Fig 4 below .

• floatingActionButtonLocation
  By default, the floatingActionButton is positioned at the bottom right corner of the screen so as the name says floatingActionButtonLocation defines the position of the floatingActionButton using the predefined contants like,

centerDocked

floatingActionButtonLocation: FloatingActionButtonLocation.centerDocked,

centerFloat

floatingActionButtonLocation: FloatingActionButtonLocation.centerFloat,

endDocked

floatingActionButtonLocation: FloatingActionButtonLocation.endDocked,

endFloat

floatingActionButtonLocation: FloatingActionButtonLocation.endFloat,

• drawer
  A drawer is a panel displayed to the side of the body, often hidden on mobile devices. One usually has to swipe left to right or right to left to access the drawer. 
  It uses the Drawer widget properties which is a material design panel that slides in horizontally from the edge of a Scaffold to show navigation links in an application and this widget is used in scaffold using Scaffold.drawer property.

drawer: Drawer(
  elevation: 16.0,
  child: Column(
    children: <Widget>[
      UserAccountsDrawerHeader(
        accountName: Text("xyz"),
        accountEmail: Text("xyz@gmail.com"),
        currentAccountPicture: CircleAvatar(
          backgroundColor: Colors.white,
          child: Text("xyz"),
        ),
        otherAccountsPictures: <Widget>[
          CircleAvatar(
            backgroundColor: Colors.white,
            child: Text("abc"),
          )
        ],
      ),
      ListTile(
        title: new Text("All Inboxes"),
        leading: new Icon(Icons.mail),
      ),
      Divider(
        height: 0.1,
      ),
      ListTile(
        title: new Text("Primary"),
        leading: new Icon(Icons.inbox),
      ),
      ListTile(
        title: new Text("Social"),
        leading: new Icon(Icons.people),
      ),
      ListTile(
        title: new Text("Promotions"),
        leading: new Icon(Icons.local_offer),
      )
    ],
  ),
),

Here, the drawer property of scaffold is used to create a drawer. We used various other widget inside this to make a little attractive drawer but don’t worry about all the other widgets, as we’ll be covering in the series.

• persistentFooterButtons
  persistentFooterButtons is a list of buttons that are displayed at the bottom of the scaffold. These buttons are persistently visible, even if the body of the scaffold scrolls. They will be wrapped in a ButtonBar and are rendered above the bottomNavigationBar but below the body.

persistentFooterButtons: <Widget>[
  RaisedButton(
    elevation: 10.0,
    onPressed: () {},
    color: Colors.green,
    child: Icon(
      Icons.add,
      color: Colors.white,
    ),
  ),
  RaisedButton(
    elevation: 10.0,
    onPressed: () {},
    color: Colors.blueGrey,
    child: Icon(
      Icons.clear,
      color: Colors.white,
    ),
  ),
],

Here, persistentFooterButtons take a list of widgets or buttons. In this we have used the RaisedButton if you want you can use the FlatButton instead.

• bottomNavigationBar
  bottomNavigationBar is used to display a navigation bar at the bottom of the scaffold. It is rendered below the persistentFooterButtons and the body.

bottomNavigationBar: BottomNavigationBar(
  currentIndex: 0,
  fixedColor: Colors.teal,
  items: [
    BottomNavigationBarItem(
      title: Text("Home"),
      icon: Icon(Icons.home),
    ),
    BottomNavigationBarItem(
      title: Text("Search"),
      icon: Icon(Icons.search),
    ),
    BottomNavigationBarItem(
      title: Text("Add"),
      icon: Icon(Icons.add_box),
    ),
  ],
  onTap: (int index){
    setState(() {
      _currentIndex = index;
    });
  },
),

• endDrawer
  A enddrawer is like a drawer property but in enddrawer by default the drawer is display at the right side of the screen.
• primary
  Whether the scaffold is being displayed at the top of the screen. If true then the height of the appBar will be extended by the height of the screen’s status bar, i.e. the top padding for. The default value of this property is true.

• backgroundColor
  This property sets the background color of the scaffold.

backgroundColor: Colors.white,

• resizeToAvoidBottomInset
  If this property is true the body and the scaffold’s floating widgets should size themselves to avoid the onscreen keyboard whose height is defined by the bottom property.
  For example, if there is an onscreen keyboard displayed above the scaffold, the body can be resized to avoid overlapping the keyboard, which prevents widgets inside the body from being obscured by the keyboard. Defaults to true.

So, this was all about the various properties of the Scaffold which just gives you an overview of Scaffold. The purpose was to get your familiar with different properties and their usage for more detailed on the Scaffold widget refer to the flutter documentation here.

And for any other documentation related query on flutter click here.
Also check the github repo for Scaffold.

---

From Our Parent Company Aeologic

Aeologic Technologies is a leading AI-driven digital transformation company in India, helping businesses unlock growth with AI automation, IoT solutions, and custom web & mobile app development. We also specialize in AIDC solutions and technical manpower augmentation, offering end-to-end support from strategy and design to deployment and optimization.

Trusted across industries like manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, BFSI, and smart cities, Aeologic combines innovation with deep industry expertise to deliver future-ready solutions.

Feel free to connect with us:
And read more articles from FlutterDevs.com.

FlutterDevs team of Flutter developers to build high-quality and functionally-rich apps. Hire a flutter developer for your cross-platform Flutter mobile app project on an hourly or full-time basis as per your requirement! You can connect with us on Facebook, GitHub, Twitter, and LinkedIn for any flutter-related queries.

We welcome feedback and hope that you share what you’re working on using #FlutterDevs. We truly enjoy seeing how you use Flutter to build beautiful, interactive web experiences.

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