Chrome 145: Multi-Column Layouts Finally Get 2D Wrapping

New Delhi, February 11, 2026: As of February 10, 2026, Google has officially promoted Chrome 145 to the stable channel for Windows, macOS, and Linux. This update marks a significant milestone for web design and user experience, finally addressing a long-standing limitation of the CSS Multi-column Layout.

Among a suite of security fixes and performance enhancements, the headline feature for developers is the introduction of 2D column wrapping, a capability that promises to transform how we read long-form content on the web.

The Breakthrough: Breaking the “Single Row” Constraint

Traditionally, the CSS Multi-column Layout was restricted to a single horizontal row. If you had more content than the height of the container allowed, the browser would create “overflow” columns that extended infinitely to the right, often forcing users to use a clunky horizontal scrollbar.

Chrome 145 introduces support for the column-wrap and column-height properties from the CSS Multi-column Layout Module Level 2.

• column-height: Allows developers to set a specific height for the column box.
• column-wrap: Enables content to “wrap” to a new row once the specified height is reached.

This shift moves the web away from the “endless horizontal newspaper” model and toward a more organized, grid-like 2D layout. Instead of scrolling sideways, content now flows down into a second or third row of columns, keeping the reading experience within the vertical viewport.

Beyond Layouts: What Else Is New in Chrome 145?

While column wrapping is a win for designers, Chrome 145 includes several other major updates:

1. The Return of JPEG-XL

In a move that has delighted the imaging community, Google has reintroduced JPEG-XL decoding support. After being removed years ago, it returns in version 145, utilizing a Rust-based decoder (jxl-rs) for enhanced memory safety. For now, it remains accessible via the enable-jxl-image-format flag.

2. Enhanced Security: Device Bound Session Credentials

To combat the rising threat of session hijacking, Chrome 145 introduces Device Bound Session Credentials (DBSC). This feature binds cookies to a specific device, ensuring that even if a session cookie is stolen, it cannot be used on another machine to gain unauthorized access.

3. Improved Typography and UI

• text-justify support: Developers now have finer control over how text is distributed when using text-align: justify.
• Origin API: A new API that encapsulates origin information, providing a more secure way for developers to compare and analyze web origins.
• Monochrome Emoji: In “Forced Colors Mode” (high contrast), Chrome will now render monochrome emoji glyphs to ensure they are legible for users with visual impairments.

Why This Matters

For years, the web has struggled to replicate the sophisticated layouts found in print magazines without relying on heavy JavaScript workarounds or complex Grid hacks. By bringing native wrapping to multi-column layouts, Google is providing a cleaner, more performant way to build responsive, readable interfaces.