width in pixels ignoring max-width:100%

Question

I have a problem between width and max-width working in an element with a grandparent flex positioned container.

When I use width in pixels with max-width: 100% in this element, if the width is bigger than its parent it just ignores the max-width:100%. But if for example I use width: 150% then the max-width:100% does its work.

body{
  width: 640px;
  height: 360px;
  position: relative;
}
body:before{
  content:"";
  width:100%;
  height:100%;
  box-sizing: border-box;
  position: absolute;
  border: 2px solid black;
}
body:after{
  content:"16:9 screen size ratio example";
  position: absolute;
  bottom: 0;
  right: 10px;
}
#flex-container{
  width: 100%;
  height: 100%;
  display: flex;
  flex-flow: row nowrap;
  background-color: #95a5a6;
}
#sidebar{
  min-width:150px;
  flex: 0 1 150px;
  background-color: #7f8c8d;
}
#main-content{
  width:100%;
  flex: 1 1 auto;
  background-color: white;
}
.page{
  width: 100%;
  padding: 16px;
  box-sizing: border-box;
}
.grid{
  width: 800px;
  max-width: 100%;
  height: 200px;
  background-color: red;
  color: white;
  padding: 16px;
  box-sizing: border-box;
}

<div id="flex-container">
  <div id="sidebar"><h2>Sidebar</h2></div>
  <div id="main-content">
    <div class="page">
      <h1>Content page</h1>
      <div class="grid">
        A grid with certain width defined in units and based on the device. Specified width should not exceed its parent width (max-width: 100%).
      </div>
    </div>
  </div>
</div>


<br><br><br>


Should work like this:
<br>
<div style="width:640px;height:360px; border: 2px solid black;background-color:white;">
  <div style="width:100%;height:100%;">
    640px width parent
    <div style="max-width:100%; width:800px; height:100px; background-color:green;color:white;">
      800px width with max-width:100%
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

Here is the JSFiddle.

Max-width always beats width. Not sure what your question is. — Paulie_D, Jun 10 '16 at 19:19
@Paulie_D Should it. Here is the problem, in my example `max-width` doesn't beat `width`. Take a look at the jsfiddle. — Gerard Reches, Jun 10 '16 at 19:25

score 2 · Accepted Answer · edited May 23 '17 at 12:31

Your container (body) is width: 640px.

The child of body (the #flex-container) is width: 100%. In other words, 640px.

Your left-side flex item (#sidebar) is min-width: 150px. For argument's sake: width: 150px.

Your right-side flex item (#main-content) is width: 100%. Computing to: 531.989px (reason tbd).

The child of #main-content (.page) is width: 100%. Also, 531.989px

The child of .page (.grid) is width: 500px. This fits well into the parent, with extra space (31.989px) left over.

Your max-width: 100% never sees any action. It works, it just isn't called upon.

In your second example, you apply width: 800px to the .grid equivalent, which is greater than 531.989px, so max-width: 100% is called into action.

Flex items minimum size

Note that by default a flex item will not shrink past the size of its content.

Add min-width: 0 to #main-content.

Explanation: Why doesn't flex item shrink past content size?

Syntax Errors

Also note that your line commenting syntax...

.grid {
  width: 500px; // For some reason this ignores max-width when is defined in units.
  max-width: 100%;
  height: 200px;
  background-color: red;
  color: white;
  padding: 16px;
  box-sizing: border-box;
}

.... and parenthesis around the flex property...

#sidebar{
  min-width:150px;
  flex(0, 1, 150px);
  background-color: #7f8c8d;
}
#main-content{
  width:100%;
  flex(1, 1, auto);
  background-color: white;
}

are causing significant problems.

Revised Fiddle

I updated the snippet setting the `.grid` width to 800px, it is still beating the `max-width` rule. About the `#main-content` width, how can I give it the correct width remaining of its parent? (Dynamically, the snippet dimensions are just an example) — Gerard Reches, Jun 10 '16 at 19:46
Instead of setting a `width`, just give `#main-content` a `flex: 1`. This will tell it to consume any remaining space on the line. — Michael Benjamin, Jun 10 '16 at 19:48

width in pixels ignoring max-width:100%

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