Multi-Level Inheritance
Nested layouts let you create deep inheritance chains. A base layout defines the overall structure, and child layouts add their own layers on top.
Each level adds its own pieces while inheriting everything from its parent.
Layout Replace Chains
When you use layout:replace, it works just like th:replace but integrates with the layout dialect's inheritance system.
This replaces the host tag with the fragment from the base layout.
Partial Page Composition
You can compose a page from multiple fragments, each handling a different part of the page.
Default content
This creates a modular page structure where each piece is independently maintainable.
Try it Yourself →Sidebar Patterns
A common pattern is to have a sidebar that changes based on the page context. Nested layouts make this easy.
Child pages can override this sidebar with their own content if needed.
Extending Multiple Layouts
While Thymeleaf doesn't support multiple inheritance, you can compose layouts by nesting them.
This gives you flexibility without the complexity of multiple inheritance.
Try it Yourself →Deep Nesting Example
Here's a practical example of a three-level nesting structure.
Each level only needs to define the fragments it wants to override or add.
Best Practices for Nesting
Keep your nesting depth reasonable. Too many levels can make debugging difficult. Aim for 2-3 levels maximum.
Flat compositions with multiple fragments are often better than deep inheritance chains.