Use it when the ready-made blocks no longer produce the layout you need. Columns creates two or three areas that can contain other blocks. It gives you a lot of freedom, so it is best reserved for compositions that genuinely need a custom layout.
Look for a purpose-built block first. For image-and-copy pairs, features or pricing, a dedicated block is usually simpler and more predictably responsive. Columns earns its place when you need to combine different block types side by side in your own proportions.
On mobile, columns stack vertically, so the order should still make sense on a narrow screen.
The narrower column works well for a short explanation or a smaller next step.
The wider column has more room for explanation. This example uses a larger gap, vertically centred content and reversed mobile order, so the main content appears first on a small screen.
Two equally important content areas receive the same amount of space. This works well when both parts carry similar weight.
Second column, equal emphasis. The Columns container can hold more than text: combine different block types side by side.
With two columns, one of them can start lower, so that two tall photos, for example, stand in a staggered line. Under Offset, choose which column starts lower (Left lower or Right lower), and under Offset size by how much: Small, Medium or Large.
It is most striking when both columns start with a picture.
This column starts in its usual place.
The right column starts lower, so the two tall photos stand in a staggered line.
Alongside proportions, gap and mobile behaviour, each column can have its own visual treatment.
Choose One column (panel), 50 / 50, 33 / 67, 67 / 33, 40 / 60, 60 / 40, 25 / 75, 75 / 25 or 33 / 33 / 33.
Adjust the space between columns from no gap to a wide gap.
When columns have different heights, align their content to the top, centre or bottom.
Once the columns stack, choose Left column first or Right column first. Side by side from sets where they stop stacking: Tablet (from about a 600px screen) or Laptop.
Each column can have its own background, padding, border, corner radius and shadow.
Place the whole block in a custom or inverted band, and choose Readable, Wide or Full content width.
A custom layout is worth it only when the purpose-built blocks genuinely do not cover the job.
FLEXIBILITY WHEN YOU REALLY NEED IT
Use proportions, gaps and mobile order deliberately — and only when a ready-made block would not solve the same problem more simply.