diff --git a/.changeset/loud-insects-itch.md b/.changeset/loud-insects-itch.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..ebc0ff93
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.changeset/loud-insects-itch.md
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+---
+'@tanstack/virtual-core': patch
+---
+
+feat(virtual-core): add deferLaneAssignment option
diff --git a/docs/api/virtual-item.md b/docs/api/virtual-item.md
index 2393788b..778ed20e 100644
--- a/docs/api/virtual-item.md
+++ b/docs/api/virtual-item.md
@@ -62,4 +62,5 @@ The size of the item. This is usually mapped to a css property like `width/heigh
 lane: number
 ```
 
-The lane index of the item. In regular lists it will always be set to `0` but becomes useful for masonry layouts (see variable examples for more details).
+The lane index of the item. Items are assigned to the shortest lane. Lane assignments are cached immediately based on the size measured by `estimateSize` by default; use `deferLaneAssignment: true` to base assignments on measured sizes instead.
+In regular lists it will always be set to `0` but becomes useful for masonry layouts (see variable examples for more details).
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/docs/api/virtualizer.md b/docs/api/virtualizer.md
index 930a2f6b..0e76abbd 100644
--- a/docs/api/virtualizer.md
+++ b/docs/api/virtualizer.md
@@ -232,7 +232,18 @@ This option allows you to set the spacing between items in the virtualized list.
 lanes: number
 ```
 
-The number of lanes the list is divided into (aka columns for vertical lists and rows for horizontal lists).
+The number of lanes the list is divided into (aka columns for vertical lists and rows for horizontal lists). Items are assigned to the lane with the shortest total size. Lane assignments are cached immediately based on `estimateSize` to prevent items from jumping between lanes.
+
+### `deferLaneAssignment`
+
+```tsx
+deferLaneAssignment?: boolean
+```
+
+**Default**: `false`
+
+When `true`, defers lane caching until items are measured via `measureElement`. This allows lane assignments to be based on actual measured sizes rather than `estimateSize`. After initial measurement, lanes are cached and remain stable.
+
 
 ### `isScrollingResetDelay`
 
diff --git a/packages/virtual-core/src/index.ts b/packages/virtual-core/src/index.ts
index 6c1cafa4..dca96ad3 100644
--- a/packages/virtual-core/src/index.ts
+++ b/packages/virtual-core/src/index.ts
@@ -346,6 +346,7 @@ export interface VirtualizerOptions<
   enabled?: boolean
   isRtl?: boolean
   useAnimationFrameWithResizeObserver?: boolean
+  deferLaneAssignment?: boolean
 }
 
 export class Virtualizer<
@@ -446,6 +447,7 @@ export class Virtualizer<
       isRtl: false,
       useScrollendEvent: false,
       useAnimationFrameWithResizeObserver: false,
+      deferLaneAssignment: false,
       ...opts,
     }
   }
@@ -726,6 +728,10 @@ export class Virtualizer<
         let lane: number
         let start: number
 
+        // Check if this item has been measured (for deferLaneAssignment mode)
+        const isMeasured = itemSizeCache.has(key)
+        const shouldDeferLane = this.options.deferLaneAssignment && !isMeasured
+
         if (cachedLane !== undefined && this.options.lanes > 1) {
           // Use cached lane - O(1) lookup for previous item in same lane
           lane = cachedLane
@@ -750,8 +756,8 @@ export class Virtualizer<
             ? furthestMeasurement.lane
             : i % this.options.lanes
 
-          // Cache the lane assignment
-          if (this.options.lanes > 1) {
+          // Cache the lane assignment (skip if deferring and not yet measured)
+          if (this.options.lanes > 1 && !shouldDeferLane) {
             this.laneAssignments.set(i, lane)
           }
         }
diff --git a/packages/virtual-core/tests/index.test.ts b/packages/virtual-core/tests/index.test.ts
index 6a00c398..d4e39b60 100644
--- a/packages/virtual-core/tests/index.test.ts
+++ b/packages/virtual-core/tests/index.test.ts
@@ -158,3 +158,56 @@ test('should update getTotalSize() when count option changes (filtering/search)'
 
   expect(virtualizer.getTotalSize()).toBe(5000) // 100 × 50
 })
+
+test('should defer lane caching until measurement when deferLaneAssignment is true', () => {
+  const virtualizer = new Virtualizer({
+    count: 4,
+    lanes: 2,
+    estimateSize: () => 100,
+    deferLaneAssignment: true,
+    getScrollElement: () => null,
+    scrollToFn: vi.fn(),
+    observeElementRect: vi.fn(),
+    observeElementOffset: vi.fn(),
+  })
+
+  virtualizer['getMeasurements']()
+
+  // No laneAssignments cached yet
+  expect(virtualizer['laneAssignments'].size).toBe(0)
+
+  // Simulate measurements
+  virtualizer.resizeItem(0, 200)
+  virtualizer.resizeItem(1, 50)
+  virtualizer.resizeItem(2, 80)
+  virtualizer.resizeItem(3, 120)
+
+  const measurements = virtualizer['getMeasurements']()
+
+  // After measurement: lane assignments based on actual sizes + cached
+  expect(virtualizer['laneAssignments'].size).toBe(4)
+  expect(measurements[2].lane).toBe(1) // lane 1 is shorter, so assigned there
+
+  // Lane assignments remain stable after size changes
+  const lanesBeforeResize = measurements.map((m) => m.lane)
+  virtualizer.resizeItem(0, 50)
+  virtualizer.resizeItem(1, 200)
+  const lanesAfterResize = virtualizer['getMeasurements']().map((m) => m.lane)
+  expect(lanesBeforeResize).toEqual(lanesAfterResize)
+})
+
+test('should cache lanes immediately when deferLaneAssignment is false (default)', () => {
+  const virtualizer = new Virtualizer({
+    count: 4,
+    lanes: 2,
+    estimateSize: () => 100,
+    getScrollElement: () => null,
+    scrollToFn: vi.fn(),
+    observeElementRect: vi.fn(),
+    observeElementOffset: vi.fn(),
+  })
+
+  virtualizer['getMeasurements']()
+
+  expect(virtualizer['laneAssignments'].size).toBe(4)
+})