Question: One part of web development (from a front-end perspective) is laying out forms. There is never a standard set, and I've seen people continuing to use `<tables>` to keep styling consistent. Say you were to lay out this form:

![enter image description here](https://i.stack.imgur.com/2L4Es.png)

At first glance it seems that a table would make laying out this form easy. Another options is to use `<fieldset>`'s, with perhaps a list inside them. Float the fieldsets to the left, give them equal widths. 

My question is **what is the most standard way of laying out forms?** There seem to be several techniques, but many of them don't work cross browser.

How would **you** do it? And why?

Answer: 
Research shows that labels above fields and fields all in one column are the easiest to fill out. Lukew has a lot of form's data/research/info:

<http://www.lukew.com/ff/entry.asp?504>

As a bonus, that's usually the easiest way to build the presentation layer as well. Plus, it's usually much more mobile-friendly out-of-the-box.

All that said, tables can be valid. In many ways, a form is a partially filled out spreadsheet (if you want to think in terms of tabular data).

I typically wrap the LABEL/FIELD pair in a div and position the label and field as needed depending on the layout desired.
Personally? A table. At work? CSS. I go with whatever is required. There's the whole debate about the fact that a form is not in and of itself tabular data (like that of a form), which is true, and there is CSS that can create a cell-like structure.

If you're short on time and comfortable with only tables? Tables. Next up is the CSS/cell structure, but most will (probably rightly) say CSS all the way. It's not too difficult, and if you want to mix and match the whole thing, say adding an extra, fourth question at the bottom at the first three, it will make the change just a tad quicker. Not much, but a tad.