Table column sizing

Updated 2018

Make sure your table includes the table class. This is because Bootstrap 4 tables are "opt-in" so the table class must be intentionally added to the table.

http://codeply.com/go/zJLXypKZxL

Bootstrap 3.x also had some CSS to reset the table cells so that they don't float..

table td[class*=col-], table th[class*=col-] {
    position: static;
    display: table-cell;
    float: none;
}

I don't know why this isn't is Bootstrap 4 alpha, but it may be added back in the final release. Adding this CSS will help all columns to use the widths set in the thead..

Bootstrap 4 Alpha 2 Demo

---

UPDATE (as of Bootstrap 4.0.0)

Now that Bootstrap 4 is flexbox, the table cells will not assume the correct width when adding col-*. A workaround is to use the d-inline-block class on the table cells to prevent the default display:flex of columns.

Another option in BS4 is to use the sizing utils classes for width...

<thead>
     <tr>
           <th class="w-25">25</th>
           <th class="w-50">50</th>
           <th class="w-25">25</th>
     </tr>
</thead>

Bootstrap 4 Alpha 6 Demo

Lastly, you could use d-flex on the table rows (tr), and the col-* grid classes on the columns (th,td)...

<table class="table table-bordered">
        <thead>
            <tr class="d-flex">
                <th class="col-3">25%</th>
                <th class="col-3">25%</th>
                <th class="col-6">50%</th>
            </tr>
        </thead>
        <tbody>
            <tr class="d-flex">
                <td class="col-sm-3">..</td>
                <td class="col-sm-3">..</td>
                <td class="col-sm-6">..</td>
            </tr>
        </tbody>
    </table>

Bootstrap 4.0.0 (stable) Demo

Note: Changing the TR to display:flex can alter the borders

Another option is to apply flex styling at the table row, and add the col-classes to the table header / table data elements:

<table>
  <thead>
    <tr class="d-flex">
      <th class="col-3">3 columns wide header</th>
      <th class="col-sm-5">5 columns wide header</th>
      <th class="col-sm-4">4 columns wide header</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr class="d-flex">
      <td class="col-3">3 columns wide content</th>
      <td class="col-sm-5">5 columns wide content</th>
      <td class="col-sm-4">4 columns wide content</th>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

Using d-flex class works well but some other attributes don't work anymore like vertical-align: middle property.

The best way I found to size columns very easily is to use the width attribute with percentage only in thead cells.

<table class="table">
    <thead>
        <tr>
            <th width="25%">25%</th>
            <th width="25%">25%</th>
            <th width="50%">50%</th>
        </tr>
    </thead>
    <tbody>
        <tr>
            <td>25%</td>
            <td>25%</td>
            <td>50%</td>
        </tr>
    </tbody>
</table>