---
title: "How to Create Category Metro Layout in Elementor?"
url: https://theplusaddons.com/docs/create-category-metro-layout-in-elementor/
date: 2025-01-09
modified: 2026-09-27
lang: en
author: "Aditya Sharma"
description: "A metro layout - mixed large and small tiles in a fixed pattern - draws attention to a few featured categories while still listing the rest. The Dynamic Categories widget's..."
image: https://theplusaddons.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/How-to-Create-Category-Metro-Layout-in-Elementor_-1024x536.jpg
word_count: 251
---

# How to Create Category Metro Layout in Elementor?

## 

- The Dynamic Categories widget in The Plus Addons for Elementor uses Metro layout to mix large and small tiles in a fixed pattern, with a dedicated column count and tile patterns.
- The Plus Addons for Elementor requires Elementor (free) installed and active, and Dynamic Categories works with just The Plus Addons for Elementor installed, with no Pro licence required.
- Metro settings include Metro Column with 3-6 columns, Metro Style with Style 1 as the default or Custom, and a Custom Layout textarea for defining a tile-span pattern.

A metro layout - mixed large and small tiles in a fixed pattern - draws attention to a few featured categories while still listing the rest.

The **Dynamic Categories** widget's **Metro** layout does this with a dedicated column count and a choice of tile patterns.

***Requirement - This widget is a part of The Plus Addons for Elementor, make sure it's installed & activated to enjoy all its powers.***

[LIVE WIDGET LINK](https://theplusaddons.com/elementor-listing/dynamic-category/?utm_source=tpae&utm_medium=docs&utm_campaign=text)

## Before You Start

- **Prerequisite:** [Elementor](https://wordpress.org/plugins/elementor/) (free) installed and active.- **Edition:** Dynamic Categories is a **free** widget - it works with just The Plus Addons for Elementor installed, no Pro licence required.- **Widget to enable:** go to **The Plus Addons > Widgets**, search for **Dynamic Categories** and turn its toggle on.

## Steps

- Add the **Dynamic Categories** widget to the page.- From **Layout**, choose **Metro**.- Under **Columns Manage**, set **Metro Column** (3-6 columns).- Set **Metro Style** to one of the built-in tile patterns (**Style 1** is the default) or **Custom** to define your own tile-span layout.

![Layout set to Metro](https://theplusaddons.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/dynamic-categories-layout-metro.webp)

![Metro Style options and Metro Column count](https://theplusaddons.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/dynamic-categories-metro-style.webp)

## Custom Layout

With Metro Style set to **Custom**, a **Custom Layout** textarea lets you define your own tile-span pattern instead of one of the built-in styles - this is an advanced option for a specific tile arrangement.

## Settings Overview

| Setting | What it does | Default |
| ------- | ------------ | ------- |
| Layout | Metro arrangement (this doc's focus). | Grid (change to Metro) |
| Metro Column | Number of columns in the metro grid. | 3 |
| Metro Style | Built-in tile pattern, or Custom. | Style 1 |
| Custom Layout | Manual tile-span definition (Custom style only). | - |

## Related Docs

- [How to Add Categories Listing in Elementor?](https://theplusaddons.com/docs/add-categories-listing-in-elementor/)- [How to Create Category Grid in Elementor?](https://theplusaddons.com/docs/create-category-grid-in-elementor/)- [How to Create a Category Carousel in Elementor?](https://theplusaddons.com/docs/create-a-category-carousel-in-elementor/)

## Frequently Asked Questions

**Q: What do I need before creating a category metro layout in Elementor?**
A: Elementor free has to be installed and active, and The Plus Addons for Elementor needs to be installed and activated too. The Dynamic Categories widget is free, so no Pro licence is required. That matters because the Metro layout lives inside that widget, not in Elementor by itself. In The Plus Addons for Elementor, The Plus Addons, Plus Addons for Elementor, POSIMYTH provides the Dynamic Categories widget that powers this layout.

**Q: Why is my category metro layout not showing in Elementor?**
A: The usual blocker is that the Dynamic Categories widget is not enabled yet. In The Plus Addons > Widgets, search for Dynamic Categories and turn its toggle on. If the widget is disabled, the Metro option will not be available in the editor. This is a common setup miss because the feature is free but still has to be switched on before you can use it.

**Q: How many columns does a category metro layout use?**
A: The Metro layout uses a dedicated column count, and the page says Metro Column can be set from 3 to 6 columns. That range matters because the tile pattern depends on how much horizontal space you give it. Fewer columns make the featured tiles feel larger, while more columns create a denser grid-like look inside the same metro structure.

**Q: Should I use Metro Style 1 or Custom for category tiles?**
A: Metro Style 1 is the default built-in tile pattern, so it is the safer choice when you want a fast setup with a fixed look. Custom is better when you need a specific tile-span arrangement that does not match the built-in styles. The tradeoff is control versus speed: built-in styles are quicker, while Custom gives you manual layout control through a textarea.

**Q: How do I make some categories stand out more in a metro layout?**
A: The Metro layout is designed for that exact use case: mixed large and small tiles in a fixed pattern draw attention to featured categories while still listing the rest. Use Metro Style or Custom Layout to control which tiles span more space. That makes it useful when you want a few categories to dominate visually without hiding the others.

**Q: What other category layouts are available besides metro?**
A: The related docs point to three other category display patterns: categories listing, category grid, and category carousel. That gives you a simple decision tree based on presentation style. Use [How to Add Categories Listing in Elementor?](https://theplusaddons.com/docs/add-categories-listing-in-elementor/), [How to Create Category Grid in Elementor?](https://theplusaddons.com/docs/create-category-grid-in-elementor/), or [How to Create a Category Carousel in Elementor?](https://theplusaddons.com/docs/create-a-category-carousel-in-elementor/) if metro is not the right fit.