fix: support flex-based sizing without explicit width/height

example/app/app/demos/basic-layouts/left-align/index.tsx

@@ -38,12 +38,8 @@ function Index() {
         <Carousel
           {...restSettings}
           ref={ref}
-          style={{ width: window.width, height: 258 }}
-          contentContainerStyle={{
-            width: window.width / 2,
-            height: 258,
-            overflow: "visible",
-          }}
+          style={{ width: window.width, height: 258, overflow: "visible" }}
+          itemWidth={window.width / 2}
           onSnapToItem={(index) => console.log("current index:", index)}
           renderItem={renderItem({ rounded: true, style: { marginRight: 8 } })}
         />

example/website/pages/usage.mdx

@@ -89,3 +89,91 @@ function App() {
 
 export default App;
 ```
+
+## Sizing Your Carousel
+
+The Carousel component supports multiple ways to define its size. Understanding these options helps you achieve the layout you need.
+
+### 1. Explicit Dimensions (Recommended)
+
+The most straightforward approach is setting explicit `width` and `height` via the `style` prop:
+
+```tsx
+<Carousel
+  style={{ width: 300, height: 200 }}
+  data={data}
+  renderItem={renderItem}
+/>
+```
+
+This gives you full control over the carousel's dimensions and is the most predictable approach.
+
+### 2. Flex-based Sizing
+
+You can use flex layout to have the carousel fill its parent container:
+
+```tsx
+<View style={{ flex: 1 }}>
+  <Carousel
+    style={{ flex: 1 }}
+    data={data}
+    renderItem={renderItem}
+  />
+</View>
+```
+
+The carousel will measure its container and adapt automatically. This is useful when you want the carousel to respond to its parent's layout.
+
+### 3. Custom Snap Distance with `itemWidth` / `itemHeight`
+
+When you want items smaller than the container with custom snapping behavior, use `itemWidth` (horizontal) or `itemHeight` (vertical):
+
+```tsx
+// Container is 400px wide, but snaps every 200px (showing ~2 items)
+<Carousel
+  style={{ width: 400, height: 200 }}
+  itemWidth={200}
+  data={data}
+  renderItem={renderItem}
+/>
+```
+
+This is particularly useful for:
+- Showing multiple items at once
+- Implementing "peek" effects where adjacent items are partially visible
+- Custom snap intervals independent of container size
+
+### 4. Legacy Props (Deprecated)
+
+The `width` and `height` props are deprecated but still supported for backward compatibility:
+
+```tsx
+// Deprecated - use style={{ width, height }} instead
+<Carousel
+  width={300}
+  height={200}
+  data={data}
+  renderItem={renderItem}
+/>
+```
+
+We recommend migrating to the `style` prop for new code.
+
+### Sizing Summary
+
+| Scenario | Props to Use | Example |
+|----------|-------------|---------|
+| Fixed size | `style={{ width, height }}` | `style={{ width: 300, height: 200 }}` |
+| Fill parent | `style={{ flex: 1 }}` | Parent must have defined size |
+| Custom snap | `style` + `itemWidth`/`itemHeight` | `style={{ width: 400 }} itemWidth={200}` |
+| Vertical | `style` + `vertical` | `style={{ height: 400 }} vertical` |
+
+### Important Notes
+
+1. **At least one dimension is required**: The carousel needs to know its size either through explicit dimensions, flex layout, or legacy props.
+
+2. **For horizontal carousels**: Width is the primary dimension that controls snapping.
+
+3. **For vertical carousels**: Height is the primary dimension that controls snapping.
+
+4. **Performance**: The carousel waits for layout measurement before rendering items. With `style={{ flex: 1 }}`, there may be a brief moment before items appear as the component measures its container.

src/components/Carousel.test.tsx

@@ -217,56 +217,81 @@ describe("Test the real swipe behavior of Carousel to ensure it's working as exp
     it("should use itemWidth for snapping size when provided", async () => {
       const progress = { current: 0 };
       const Wrapper = createCarousel(progress);
+      const containerWidth = 700;
+      const itemWidth = 350;
       const { getByTestId } = render(
-        <Wrapper style={{ width: 700, height: 200 }} itemWidth={350} />
+        <Wrapper style={{ width: containerWidth, height: 200 }} itemWidth={itemWidth} />
       );
       await verifyInitialRender(getByTestId);
 
       // The carousel should use itemWidth (350) for snapping instead of container width (700)
-      // This allows showing multiple items (2 items in this case: 700 / 350)
+      // Verify items render and content container is set up correctly
       const contentContainer = getByTestId("carousel-content-container");
       expect(contentContainer).toBeTruthy();
+      expect(getByTestId("carousel-item-0")).toBeTruthy();
+      expect(getByTestId("carousel-item-1")).toBeTruthy();
     });
 
     it("should use itemHeight for snapping size in vertical mode when provided", async () => {
       const progress = { current: 0 };
       const Wrapper = createCarousel(progress);
+      const containerHeight = 700;
+      const itemHeight = 350;
       const { getByTestId } = render(
-        <Wrapper vertical style={{ width: 350, height: 700 }} itemHeight={350} />
+        <Wrapper vertical style={{ width: 350, height: containerHeight }} itemHeight={itemHeight} />
       );
       await verifyInitialRender(getByTestId);
 
       // The carousel should use itemHeight (350) for snapping instead of container height (700)
+      // Verify items render - vertical mode uses the same snap logic
       const contentContainer = getByTestId("carousel-content-container");
       expect(contentContainer).toBeTruthy();
+      // Verify first item renders
+      expect(getByTestId("carousel-item-0")).toBeTruthy();
     });
 
     it("should prioritize itemWidth over width prop", async () => {
       const progress = { current: 0 };
       const Wrapper = createCarousel(progress);
+      const containerWidth = 700;
+      const itemWidth = 350;
       const { getByTestId } = render(
-        <Wrapper style={{ width: 700, height: 200 }} width={700} itemWidth={350} />
+        <Wrapper
+          style={{ width: containerWidth, height: 200 }}
+          width={containerWidth}
+          itemWidth={itemWidth}
+        />
       );
       await verifyInitialRender(getByTestId);
 
-      // itemWidth (350) should take precedence
+      // itemWidth (350) should take precedence over deprecated width prop
+      // Verify items render correctly with multiple visible
       const contentContainer = getByTestId("carousel-content-container");
       expect(contentContainer).toBeTruthy();
+      expect(getByTestId("carousel-item-0")).toBeTruthy();
+      expect(getByTestId("carousel-item-1")).toBeTruthy();
     });
 
     it("should support itemWidth for multiple visible items scenario", async () => {
       const progress = { current: 0 };
       const Wrapper = createCarousel(progress);
+      const containerWidth = 900;
+      const itemWidth = 300;
       const { getByTestId } = render(
-        <Wrapper style={{ width: 900, height: 200 }} itemWidth={300} data={createMockData(6)} />
+        <Wrapper
+          style={{ width: containerWidth, height: 200 }}
+          itemWidth={itemWidth}
+          data={createMockData(6)}
+        />
       );
       await verifyInitialRender(getByTestId);
 
       // Container is 900px, itemWidth is 300px, so 3 items should be visible
-      // Verify items are rendered
+      // Verify multiple items are rendered (visible in the viewport)
       expect(getByTestId("carousel-item-0")).toBeTruthy();
       expect(getByTestId("carousel-item-1")).toBeTruthy();
       expect(getByTestId("carousel-item-2")).toBeTruthy();
+      expect(getByTestId("carousel-item-3")).toBeTruthy();
     });
 
     it("should accept onLayout callback prop", async () => {
@@ -889,4 +914,64 @@ describe("Test the real swipe behavior of Carousel to ensure it's working as exp
       expect(handlerOffset.current).toBe(-slideWidth);
     });
   });
+
+  describe("Carousel sizing and measurement", () => {
+    it("should render items even before onLayout provides size (flex-based sizing)", async () => {
+      const progress = { current: 0 };
+      const Wrapper = createCarousel(progress);
+
+      // Render with flex: 1 (no explicit width/height values)
+      const { queryByTestId } = render(<Wrapper style={{ flex: 1, height: 200 }} />);
+
+      // Items should render immediately with initial visible ranges
+      // even if size measurement hasn't completed yet
+      await waitFor(
+        () => {
+          const item = queryByTestId("carousel-item-0");
+          expect(item).toBeTruthy();
+        },
+        { timeout: 1000 * 3 }
+      );
+    });
+
+    it("should render items with explicit style dimensions", async () => {
+      const progress = { current: 0 };
+      const Wrapper = createCarousel(progress);
+
+      const { queryByTestId } = render(<Wrapper style={{ width: 400, height: 250 }} />);
+
+      // Items should render with explicit dimensions
+      await waitFor(
+        () => {
+          const item = queryByTestId("carousel-item-0");
+          expect(item).toBeTruthy();
+        },
+        { timeout: 1000 * 3 }
+      );
+    });
+
+    it("should render items with itemWidth for custom snap distance", async () => {
+      const progress = { current: 0 };
+      const Wrapper = createCarousel(progress);
+      const containerWidth = 600;
+      const itemWidth = 200; // 3 items visible
+
+      const { getByTestId } = render(
+        <Wrapper style={{ width: containerWidth, height: 200 }} itemWidth={itemWidth} />
+      );
+
+      // Items should render with itemWidth configuration
+      await waitFor(
+        () => {
+          const item = getByTestId("carousel-item-0");
+          expect(item).toBeTruthy();
+        },
+        { timeout: 1000 * 3 }
+      );
+
+      // Verify multiple items are visible due to smaller itemWidth
+      expect(getByTestId("carousel-item-1")).toBeTruthy();
+      expect(getByTestId("carousel-item-2")).toBeTruthy();
+    });
+  });
 });

src/components/CarouselLayout.tsx

@@ -168,7 +168,7 @@ export const CarouselLayout = React.forwardRef<ICarouselInstance>((_props, ref)
       height: computedHeight,
       opacity: isSizeReady.value ? 1 : 0,
     };
-  }, [flattenedStyle, isSizeReady, vertical, resolvedSize]);
+  }, [flattenedStyle, isSizeReady, vertical, resolvedSize, sizePhase]);
 
   return (
     <GestureHandlerRootView testID={testID} style={[styles.layoutContainer, style]}>

src/components/ItemLayout.tsx

@@ -30,7 +30,19 @@ export const ItemLayout: React.FC<{
   const { handlerOffset, index, children, visibleRanges, animationStyle } = props;
 
   const {
-    props: { loop, dataLength, width, height, vertical, customConfig, mode, modeConfig, style },
+    props: {
+      loop,
+      dataLength,
+      width,
+      height,
+      vertical,
+      customConfig,
+      mode,
+      modeConfig,
+      style,
+      itemWidth,
+      itemHeight,
+    },
     common,
     layout: { updateItemDimensions },
   } = useGlobalState();
@@ -45,13 +57,18 @@ export const ItemLayout: React.FC<{
   const { width: styleWidth, height: styleHeight } = StyleSheet.flatten(style) || {};
   const styleWidthNumber = typeof styleWidth === "number" ? styleWidth : undefined;
   const styleHeightNumber = typeof styleHeight === "number" ? styleHeight : undefined;
+
+  // When itemWidth/itemHeight is provided, use it for item dimensions (not container style)
+  const explicitItemSize = vertical ? itemHeight : itemWidth;
   const explicitAxisSize = vertical ? (styleHeightNumber ?? height) : (styleWidthNumber ?? width);
-  const size = (explicitAxisSize ?? fallbackSize) || 0;
+  // Use itemWidth/itemHeight if provided, otherwise fall back to container size
+  const size = (explicitItemSize ?? explicitAxisSize ?? fallbackSize) || 0;
   const effectivePageSize = size > 0 ? size : undefined;
 
   const dimensionsStyle = useAnimatedStyle<ViewStyle>(() => {
-    const widthCandidate = vertical ? width : explicitAxisSize;
-    const heightCandidate = vertical ? explicitAxisSize : height;
+    // When itemWidth/itemHeight is provided, use it for item width/height
+    const widthCandidate = vertical ? width : (explicitItemSize ?? explicitAxisSize);
+    const heightCandidate = vertical ? (explicitItemSize ?? explicitAxisSize) : height;
 
     const computedWidth =
       typeof widthCandidate === "number"
@@ -67,7 +84,7 @@ export const ItemLayout: React.FC<{
       width: computedWidth,
       height: computedHeight,
     };
-  }, [vertical, width, height, explicitAxisSize, effectivePageSize]);
+  }, [vertical, width, height, explicitAxisSize, explicitItemSize, effectivePageSize]);
 
   let offsetXConfig: IOpts = {
     handlerOffset,

src/components/ItemRenderer.tsx

@@ -52,16 +52,23 @@ export const ItemRenderer: FC<Props> = (props) => {
     loop,
   });
 
-  const [displayedItems, setDisplayedItems] = React.useState<VisibleRanges>(null!);
+  // Initialize with a sensible default to avoid blank render on first frame
+  const initialRanges: VisibleRanges = React.useMemo(
+    () => ({
+      negativeRange: [0, 0],
+      positiveRange: [0, Math.min(dataLength - 1, (windowSize ?? dataLength) - 1)],
+    }),
+    [dataLength, windowSize]
+  );
+
+  const [displayedItems, setDisplayedItems] = React.useState<VisibleRanges>(initialRanges);
 
   useAnimatedReaction(
     () => visibleRanges.value,
     (ranges) => scheduleOnRN(setDisplayedItems, ranges),
     [visibleRanges]
   );
 
-  if (!displayedItems) return null;
-
   return (
     <>
       {data.map((item, index) => {