diff --git a/src/govoplan_dashboard/backend/schemas.py b/src/govoplan_dashboard/backend/schemas.py
index c6c6a79..a6edf62 100644
--- a/src/govoplan_dashboard/backend/schemas.py
+++ b/src/govoplan_dashboard/backend/schemas.py
@@ -15,11 +15,29 @@ class DashboardWidgetPlacementPayload(BaseModel):
     instance_id: str = Field(min_length=1, max_length=120)
     widget_id: WidgetId
     size: Literal["small", "medium", "wide", "full"] = "medium"
+    column_start: int | None = Field(default=None, ge=1, le=4)
     configuration: dict[str, ConfigurationValue] = Field(
         default_factory=dict,
         max_length=40,
     )
 
+    @model_validator(mode="after")
+    def validate_column_span(self) -> "DashboardWidgetPlacementPayload":
+        if self.column_start is None:
+            return self
+        span = {
+            "small": 1,
+            "medium": 2,
+            "wide": 3,
+            "full": 4,
+        }[self.size]
+        if self.column_start + span - 1 > 4:
+            raise ValueError(
+                f"A {self.size} widget cannot start in column "
+                f"{self.column_start} of a four-column Dashboard."
+            )
+        return self
+
     @field_validator("configuration")
     @classmethod
     def validate_configuration(
diff --git a/tests/test_dashboard_layouts.py b/tests/test_dashboard_layouts.py
index 12dfaa0..e381c7e 100644
--- a/tests/test_dashboard_layouts.py
+++ b/tests/test_dashboard_layouts.py
@@ -83,6 +83,7 @@ class DashboardLayoutApiTests(unittest.TestCase):
                         "instance_id": "instance-1",
                         "widget_id": "dashboard.installed-modules",
                         "size": "wide",
+                        "column_start": 2,
                         "configuration": {
                             "maxItems": 5,
                             "showVersions": False,
@@ -118,6 +119,10 @@ class DashboardLayoutApiTests(unittest.TestCase):
             False,
             original.json()["placements"][0]["configuration"]["showVersions"],
         )
+        self.assertEqual(
+            2,
+            original.json()["placements"][0]["column_start"],
+        )
 
     def test_stale_revision_is_rejected(self) -> None:
         payload = {
@@ -174,6 +179,48 @@ class DashboardLayoutApiTests(unittest.TestCase):
 
         self.assertEqual(422, response.status_code)
 
+    def test_widget_span_must_fit_the_four_column_grid(self) -> None:
+        response = self.client.put(
+            "/api/v1/dashboard/layout",
+            json={
+                "expected_revision": 0,
+                "layout_version": 1,
+                "placements": [
+                    {
+                        "instance_id": "instance-1",
+                        "widget_id": "example.widget",
+                        "size": "medium",
+                        "column_start": 4,
+                        "configuration": {},
+                    }
+                ],
+                "known_widget_ids": ["example.widget"],
+            },
+        )
+
+        self.assertEqual(422, response.status_code)
+
+    def test_legacy_placement_without_column_is_still_accepted(self) -> None:
+        response = self.client.put(
+            "/api/v1/dashboard/layout",
+            json={
+                "expected_revision": 0,
+                "layout_version": 1,
+                "placements": [
+                    {
+                        "instance_id": "instance-1",
+                        "widget_id": "example.widget",
+                        "size": "medium",
+                        "configuration": {},
+                    }
+                ],
+                "known_widget_ids": ["example.widget"],
+            },
+        )
+
+        self.assertEqual(200, response.status_code)
+        self.assertIsNone(response.json()["placements"][0]["column_start"])
+
     def test_account_layout_context_limit_is_enforced(self) -> None:
         with self.session_factory() as session:
             session.add_all(
diff --git a/webui/src/api/dashboard.ts b/webui/src/api/dashboard.ts
index a9373bd..2e55fba 100644
--- a/webui/src/api/dashboard.ts
+++ b/webui/src/api/dashboard.ts
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ export type DashboardWidgetPlacementResponse = {
   instance_id: string;
   widget_id: string;
   size: DashboardWidgetSize;
+  column_start?: number | null;
   configuration: DashboardWidgetConfiguration;
 };
 
diff --git a/webui/src/features/dashboard/DashboardGrid.tsx b/webui/src/features/dashboard/DashboardGrid.tsx
index 4ca2cb9..85b4386 100644
--- a/webui/src/features/dashboard/DashboardGrid.tsx
+++ b/webui/src/features/dashboard/DashboardGrid.tsx
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ import {
   useLayoutEffect,
   useRef,
   useState,
+  type CSSProperties,
   type HTMLAttributes,
   type DragEvent as ReactDragEvent,
   type ReactNode
@@ -23,6 +24,7 @@ import {
 } from "@govoplan/core-webui";
 import {
   dashboardMasonryRowSpan,
+  dashboardWidgetColumnSpan,
   defaultWidgetSize,
   widgetIsConfigurable,
   type DashboardWidgetPlacement
@@ -117,6 +119,7 @@ export default function DashboardGrid({
   return (
     <div
       className={`dashboard-widget-grid${configuring ? " is-configuring" : ""}`}
+      data-dashboard-grid
       onDragOver={(event) => {
         if (!configuring || event.target !== event.currentTarget) return;
         onDragOverEnd(event);
@@ -131,6 +134,7 @@ export default function DashboardGrid({
               key={`catalogue-placeholder:${item.widgetId}`}
               title={widget?.title ?? "New widget"}
               size={item.size}
+              columnStart={item.columnStart}
               onDragOver={(event) => event.preventDefault()}
               onDrop={onDropPreview}
             />
@@ -145,6 +149,7 @@ export default function DashboardGrid({
               key={placement.instanceId}
               title={widget.title}
               size={placement.size}
+              columnStart={placement.columnStart}
               preserveHeight
               onDragOver={(event) => event.preventDefault()}
               onDrop={onDropPreview}
@@ -167,6 +172,7 @@ export default function DashboardGrid({
           <DashboardMasonryItem
             key={placement.instanceId}
             className={`dashboard-widget dashboard-widget-${placement.size}`}
+            style={dashboardColumnStyle(placement.columnStart)}
             onDragOver={
               configuring
                 ? (event) => onDragOver(event, placement.instanceId)
@@ -246,6 +252,7 @@ export default function DashboardGrid({
 function DashboardDropPlaceholder({
   title,
   size,
+  columnStart,
   preserveHeight = false,
   onDragOver,
   onDrop,
@@ -253,6 +260,7 @@ function DashboardDropPlaceholder({
 }: {
   title: string;
   size: DashboardWidgetPlacement["size"];
+  columnStart: number;
   preserveHeight?: boolean;
   onDragOver: (event: ReactDragEvent<HTMLElement>) => void;
   onDrop: (event: ReactDragEvent<HTMLElement>) => void;
@@ -268,9 +276,13 @@ function DashboardDropPlaceholder({
       ]
         .filter(Boolean)
         .join(" ")}
+      style={dashboardColumnStyle(columnStart)}
       onDragOver={onDragOver}
       onDrop={onDrop}
-      aria-label={`Place ${title} here`}
+      aria-label={
+        `Place ${title} in column ${columnStart}, spanning `
+        + `${dashboardWidgetColumnSpan(size)} columns`
+      }
     >
       {children && (
         <div className="dashboard-widget-placeholder-content">
@@ -285,6 +297,12 @@ function DashboardDropPlaceholder({
   );
 }
 
+function dashboardColumnStyle(columnStart: number): CSSProperties {
+  return {
+    "--dashboard-column-start": columnStart
+  } as CSSProperties;
+}
+
 function DashboardMasonryItem({
   children,
   ...props
diff --git a/webui/src/features/dashboard/DashboardPage.tsx b/webui/src/features/dashboard/DashboardPage.tsx
index 9b8794b..d0ce2ab 100644
--- a/webui/src/features/dashboard/DashboardPage.tsx
+++ b/webui/src/features/dashboard/DashboardPage.tsx
@@ -26,7 +26,8 @@ import {
   useUnsavedDraftGuard,
   type ApiSettings,
   type AuthInfo,
-  type DashboardWidgetContribution
+  type DashboardWidgetContribution,
+  type DashboardWidgetSize
 } from "@govoplan/core-webui";
 import {
   fetchDashboardLayout,
@@ -37,6 +38,9 @@ import WidgetConfigurationDialog from "./WidgetConfigurationDialog";
 import WidgetLibrary from "./WidgetLibrary";
 import {
   appendPlacement,
+  DASHBOARD_COLUMN_COUNT,
+  dashboardWidgetColumnSpan,
+  defaultWidgetSize,
   defaultDashboardLayout,
   insertPlacement,
   layoutFromResponse,
@@ -44,6 +48,7 @@ import {
   layoutsEqual,
   localLayoutKey,
   MAX_DASHBOARD_WIDGETS,
+  nextDashboardColumnStart,
   readLocalLayout,
   reconcileDashboardLayout,
   removePlacement,
@@ -57,6 +62,7 @@ import type {
   DashboardDragItem,
   DashboardDropTarget
 } from "./dashboardEditorTypes";
+import { dashboardColumnStartFromPointer } from "./dashboardEditorTypes";
 
 type LayoutSource = "server" | "browser" | "default";
 
@@ -259,8 +265,11 @@ export default function DashboardPage({
     setDraftLayout((current) => updater(current));
   }
 
-  function addWidget(widget: DashboardWidgetContribution) {
-    updateDraft((layout) => appendPlacement(layout, widget));
+  function addWidget(
+    widget: DashboardWidgetContribution,
+    columnStart?: number
+  ) {
+    updateDraft((layout) => appendPlacement(layout, widget, columnStart));
   }
 
   function startDrag(event: ReactDragEvent, item: DashboardDragItem) {
@@ -284,20 +293,15 @@ export default function DashboardPage({
     event.dataTransfer.dropEffect = dragItem.kind === "catalogue" ? "copy" : "move";
     const bounds = event.currentTarget.getBoundingClientRect();
     const verticalPosition = (event.clientY - bounds.top) / bounds.height;
-    const edge =
-      verticalPosition < 0.3
-      || (
-        verticalPosition <= 0.7
-        && event.clientX < bounds.left + bounds.width / 2
-      )
-        ? "before"
-        : "after";
+    const edge = verticalPosition < 0.5 ? "before" : "after";
+    const columnStart = dropColumnStart(event);
     setDropTarget((current) =>
       current?.kind === "placement"
       && current.instanceId === instanceId
       && current.edge === edge
+      && current.columnStart === columnStart
         ? current
-        : { kind: "placement", instanceId, edge }
+        : { kind: "placement", instanceId, edge, columnStart }
     );
   }
 
@@ -305,8 +309,54 @@ export default function DashboardPage({
     if (!dragItem) return;
     event.preventDefault();
     event.dataTransfer.dropEffect = dragItem.kind === "catalogue" ? "copy" : "move";
+    const columnStart = dropColumnStart(event);
     setDropTarget((current) =>
-      current?.kind === "end" ? current : { kind: "end" }
+      current?.kind === "end" && current.columnStart === columnStart
+        ? current
+        : { kind: "end", columnStart }
+    );
+  }
+
+  function draggedWidgetSize(): DashboardWidgetSize | null {
+    if (!dragItem) return null;
+    if (dragItem.kind === "placement") {
+      return draftLayout.placements.find(
+        (placement) => placement.instanceId === dragItem.instanceId
+      )?.size ?? null;
+    }
+    const widget = widgetById.get(dragItem.widgetId);
+    return widget ? defaultWidgetSize(widget) : null;
+  }
+
+  function dropColumnStart(
+    event: ReactDragEvent<HTMLElement>
+  ): number {
+    const size = draggedWidgetSize();
+    if (!size) return 1;
+    const grid = event.currentTarget.closest<HTMLElement>(
+      "[data-dashboard-grid]"
+    );
+    if (!grid) return 1;
+    const styles = window.getComputedStyle(grid);
+    const visibleColumns = styles.gridTemplateColumns
+      .split(/\s+/)
+      .filter(Boolean).length;
+    if (visibleColumns !== 4) {
+      if (dragItem?.kind === "placement") {
+        return draftLayout.placements.find(
+          (placement) => placement.instanceId === dragItem.instanceId
+        )?.columnStart ?? 1;
+      }
+      return nextDashboardColumnStart(draftLayout.placements, size);
+    }
+    const bounds = grid.getBoundingClientRect();
+    return dashboardColumnStartFromPointer(
+      event.clientX,
+      bounds.left,
+      bounds.width,
+      Number.parseFloat(styles.columnGap),
+      dashboardWidgetColumnSpan(size),
+      DASHBOARD_COLUMN_COUNT
     );
   }
 
@@ -321,15 +371,28 @@ export default function DashboardPage({
       && dropTarget.instanceId === target.instanceId
       ? dropTarget.edge
       : "after";
+    const columnStart = dropTarget?.columnStart ?? target.columnStart;
     if (dragItem.kind === "placement") {
       updateDraft((layout) =>
-        reorderPlacement(layout, dragItem.instanceId, target.instanceId, edge)
+        reorderPlacement(
+          layout,
+          dragItem.instanceId,
+          target.instanceId,
+          edge,
+          columnStart
+        )
       );
     } else {
       const widget = widgetById.get(dragItem.widgetId);
       if (widget) {
         updateDraft((layout) =>
-          insertPlacement(layout, widget, target.instanceId, edge)
+          insertPlacement(
+            layout,
+            widget,
+            target.instanceId,
+            edge,
+            columnStart
+          )
         );
       }
     }
@@ -353,16 +416,23 @@ export default function DashboardPage({
     event.preventDefault();
     event.stopPropagation();
     if (!dragItem) return;
+    const columnStart = dropTarget?.columnStart;
     if (dragItem.kind === "placement") {
       const last = draftLayout.placements.at(-1);
       if (last) {
         updateDraft((layout) =>
-          reorderPlacement(layout, dragItem.instanceId, last.instanceId, "after")
+          reorderPlacement(
+            layout,
+            dragItem.instanceId,
+            last.instanceId,
+            "after",
+            columnStart
+          )
         );
       }
     } else {
       const widget = widgetById.get(dragItem.widgetId);
-      if (widget) addWidget(widget);
+      if (widget) addWidget(widget, columnStart);
     }
     finishDrag();
   }
diff --git a/webui/src/features/dashboard/WidgetConfigurationDialog.tsx b/webui/src/features/dashboard/WidgetConfigurationDialog.tsx
index 2977dc0..b020f04 100644
--- a/webui/src/features/dashboard/WidgetConfigurationDialog.tsx
+++ b/webui/src/features/dashboard/WidgetConfigurationDialog.tsx
@@ -197,5 +197,12 @@ function valueIsEmpty(value: DashboardWidgetConfigurationValue | undefined): boo
 }
 
 function sizeLabel(size: DashboardWidgetSize): string {
-  return size.charAt(0).toUpperCase() + size.slice(1);
+  const columns = {
+    small: 1,
+    medium: 2,
+    wide: 3,
+    full: 4
+  }[size];
+  const label = size.charAt(0).toUpperCase() + size.slice(1);
+  return `${label} (${columns} ${columns === 1 ? "column" : "columns"})`;
 }
diff --git a/webui/src/features/dashboard/dashboardEditorTypes.ts b/webui/src/features/dashboard/dashboardEditorTypes.ts
index c327de9..475dea8 100644
--- a/webui/src/features/dashboard/dashboardEditorTypes.ts
+++ b/webui/src/features/dashboard/dashboardEditorTypes.ts
@@ -10,8 +10,9 @@ export type DashboardDropTarget =
       kind: "placement";
       instanceId: string;
       edge: "before" | "after";
+      columnStart: number;
     }
-  | { kind: "end" };
+  | { kind: "end"; columnStart: number };
 
 export type DashboardGridPreviewItem =
   | {
@@ -23,6 +24,7 @@ export type DashboardGridPreviewItem =
       kind: "catalogue";
       widgetId: string;
       size: DashboardWidgetSize;
+      columnStart: number;
     };
 
 export function dashboardGridPreview(
@@ -47,7 +49,8 @@ export function dashboardGridPreview(
     items.splice(insertionIndex, 0, {
       kind: "catalogue",
       widgetId: dragItem.widgetId,
-      size: catalogueSize
+      size: catalogueSize,
+      columnStart: dropTarget.columnStart
     });
     return items;
   }
@@ -72,12 +75,58 @@ export function dashboardGridPreview(
   }));
   preview.splice(insertionIndex, 0, {
     kind: "placement",
-    placement: source,
+    placement: {
+      ...source,
+      columnStart: dropTarget.columnStart
+    },
     placeholder: true
   });
   return preview;
 }
 
+export function dashboardColumnStartFromPointer(
+  pointerX: number,
+  gridLeft: number,
+  gridWidth: number,
+  columnGap: number,
+  columnSpan: number,
+  columnCount: number
+): number {
+  const safeColumnCount =
+    Number.isFinite(columnCount) ? Math.max(1, Math.trunc(columnCount)) : 1;
+  const safeWidth =
+    Number.isFinite(gridWidth) && gridWidth > 0 ? gridWidth : 1;
+  const safeGap =
+    Number.isFinite(columnGap) ? Math.max(0, columnGap) : 0;
+  const columnWidth = Math.max(
+    1,
+    (
+      safeWidth
+      - safeGap * (safeColumnCount - 1)
+    ) / safeColumnCount
+  );
+  const span =
+    Number.isFinite(columnSpan)
+      ? Math.min(safeColumnCount, Math.max(1, Math.trunc(columnSpan)))
+      : 1;
+  const spanWidth = columnWidth * span + safeGap * (span - 1);
+  const stride = columnWidth + safeGap;
+  const maximumStart = safeColumnCount - span + 1;
+  let nearestStart = 1;
+  let nearestDistance = Number.POSITIVE_INFINITY;
+
+  for (let columnStart = 1; columnStart <= maximumStart; columnStart += 1) {
+    const center =
+      gridLeft + (columnStart - 1) * stride + spanWidth / 2;
+    const distance = Math.abs(pointerX - center);
+    if (distance < nearestDistance) {
+      nearestStart = columnStart;
+      nearestDistance = distance;
+    }
+  }
+  return nearestStart;
+}
+
 function previewInsertionIndex(
   placements: DashboardWidgetPlacement[],
   target: DashboardDropTarget,
diff --git a/webui/src/features/dashboard/dashboardLayout.ts b/webui/src/features/dashboard/dashboardLayout.ts
index 2384d56..7520eb1 100644
--- a/webui/src/features/dashboard/dashboardLayout.ts
+++ b/webui/src/features/dashboard/dashboardLayout.ts
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ export type DashboardWidgetPlacement = {
   instanceId: string;
   widgetId: string;
   size: DashboardWidgetSize;
+  columnStart: number;
   configuration: DashboardWidgetConfiguration;
 };
 
@@ -29,15 +30,19 @@ type LegacyDashboardLayout = {
 };
 
 const SIZES: DashboardWidgetSize[] = ["small", "medium", "wide", "full"];
+export const DASHBOARD_COLUMN_COUNT = 4;
 export const MAX_DASHBOARD_WIDGETS = 100;
 
 export function createWidgetPlacement(
-  widget: DashboardWidgetContribution
+  widget: DashboardWidgetContribution,
+  columnStart = 1
 ): DashboardWidgetPlacement {
+  const size = defaultWidgetSize(widget);
   return {
     instanceId: newInstanceId(),
     widgetId: widget.id,
-    size: defaultWidgetSize(widget),
+    size,
+    columnStart: normalizeDashboardColumnStart(size, columnStart),
     configuration: { ...(widget.defaultConfiguration ?? {}) }
   };
 }
@@ -45,14 +50,27 @@ export function createWidgetPlacement(
 export function defaultDashboardLayout(
   widgets: DashboardWidgetContribution[]
 ): DashboardLayoutState {
+  const placements: DashboardWidgetPlacement[] = [];
+  for (const widget of widgets) {
+    if (
+      widget.defaultVisible === false
+      || placements.length >= MAX_DASHBOARD_WIDGETS
+    ) {
+      continue;
+    }
+    const size = defaultWidgetSize(widget);
+    placements.push(
+      createWidgetPlacement(
+        widget,
+        nextDashboardColumnStart(placements, size)
+      )
+    );
+  }
   return {
     layoutVersion: 1,
     revision: 0,
     knownWidgetIds: widgets.map((widget) => widget.id),
-    placements: widgets
-      .filter((widget) => widget.defaultVisible !== false)
-      .slice(0, MAX_DASHBOARD_WIDGETS)
-      .map(createWidgetPlacement)
+    placements
   };
 }
 
@@ -63,14 +81,21 @@ export function reconcileDashboardLayout(
   const widgetById = new Map(widgets.map((widget) => [widget.id, widget]));
   const seenInstances = new Set<string>();
   const seenWidgets = new Set<string>();
-  const placements = layout.placements.flatMap((placement) => {
-    if (!placement.instanceId || seenInstances.has(placement.instanceId)) return [];
+  const placements: DashboardWidgetPlacement[] = [];
+  for (const placement of layout.placements) {
+    if (!placement.instanceId || seenInstances.has(placement.instanceId)) continue;
     const widget = widgetById.get(placement.widgetId);
-    if (widget && !widget.allowMultiple && seenWidgets.has(widget.id)) return [];
+    if (widget && !widget.allowMultiple && seenWidgets.has(widget.id)) continue;
     seenInstances.add(placement.instanceId);
     seenWidgets.add(placement.widgetId);
-    return [normalizePlacement(placement, widget)];
-  });
+    placements.push(
+      normalizePlacement(
+        placement,
+        widget,
+        nextDashboardColumnStart(placements, placement.size)
+      )
+    );
+  }
   const known = new Set(layout.knownWidgetIds);
 
   for (const widget of widgets) {
@@ -79,7 +104,13 @@ export function reconcileDashboardLayout(
       && !known.has(widget.id)
       && widget.defaultVisible !== false
     ) {
-      placements.push(createWidgetPlacement(widget));
+      const size = defaultWidgetSize(widget);
+      placements.push(
+        createWidgetPlacement(
+          widget,
+          nextDashboardColumnStart(placements, size)
+        )
+      );
     }
     known.add(widget.id);
   }
@@ -95,11 +126,20 @@ export function reconcileDashboardLayout(
 export function layoutFromResponse(
   response: DashboardLayoutResponse
 ): DashboardLayoutState {
+  const placements: DashboardWidgetPlacement[] = [];
+  for (const placement of response.placements) {
+    placements.push(
+      placementFromResponse(
+        placement,
+        nextDashboardColumnStart(placements, placement.size)
+      )
+    );
+  }
   return {
     layoutVersion: 1,
     revision: response.revision,
     knownWidgetIds: uniqueStrings(response.known_widget_ids),
-    placements: response.placements.map(placementFromResponse)
+    placements
   };
 }
 
@@ -116,7 +156,8 @@ export function layoutUpdatePayload(
 
 export function appendPlacement(
   layout: DashboardLayoutState,
-  widget: DashboardWidgetContribution
+  widget: DashboardWidgetContribution,
+  columnStart?: number
 ): DashboardLayoutState {
   if (
     layout.placements.length >= MAX_DASHBOARD_WIDGETS
@@ -127,10 +168,17 @@ export function appendPlacement(
   ) {
     return layout;
   }
+  const size = defaultWidgetSize(widget);
   return {
     ...layout,
     knownWidgetIds: uniqueStrings([...layout.knownWidgetIds, widget.id]),
-    placements: [...layout.placements, createWidgetPlacement(widget)]
+    placements: [
+      ...layout.placements,
+      createWidgetPlacement(
+        widget,
+        columnStart ?? nextDashboardColumnStart(layout.placements, size)
+      )
+    ]
   };
 }
 
@@ -138,7 +186,8 @@ export function insertPlacement(
   layout: DashboardLayoutState,
   widget: DashboardWidgetContribution,
   targetInstanceId: string,
-  edge: "before" | "after"
+  edge: "before" | "after",
+  columnStart?: number
 ): DashboardLayoutState {
   if (
     layout.placements.length >= MAX_DASHBOARD_WIDGETS
@@ -152,14 +201,21 @@ export function insertPlacement(
   const targetIndex = layout.placements.findIndex(
     (placement) => placement.instanceId === targetInstanceId
   );
-  if (targetIndex < 0) return appendPlacement(layout, widget);
+  if (targetIndex < 0) return appendPlacement(layout, widget, columnStart);
   const insertionIndex = targetIndex + (edge === "after" ? 1 : 0);
+  const size = defaultWidgetSize(widget);
+  const fallbackColumnStart = edge === "before"
+    ? layout.placements[targetIndex].columnStart
+    : nextDashboardColumnStart(
+        layout.placements.slice(0, insertionIndex),
+        size
+      );
   return {
     ...layout,
     knownWidgetIds: uniqueStrings([...layout.knownWidgetIds, widget.id]),
     placements: [
       ...layout.placements.slice(0, insertionIndex),
-      createWidgetPlacement(widget),
+      createWidgetPlacement(widget, columnStart ?? fallbackColumnStart),
       ...layout.placements.slice(insertionIndex)
     ]
   };
@@ -181,11 +237,18 @@ export function updatePlacement(
   layout: DashboardLayoutState,
   nextPlacement: DashboardWidgetPlacement
 ): DashboardLayoutState {
+  const normalized = {
+    ...nextPlacement,
+    columnStart: normalizeDashboardColumnStart(
+      nextPlacement.size,
+      nextPlacement.columnStart
+    )
+  };
   return {
     ...layout,
     placements: layout.placements.map((placement) =>
       placement.instanceId === nextPlacement.instanceId
-        ? nextPlacement
+        ? normalized
         : placement
     )
   };
@@ -195,13 +258,23 @@ export function reorderPlacement(
   layout: DashboardLayoutState,
   sourceInstanceId: string,
   targetInstanceId: string,
-  edge: "before" | "after"
+  edge: "before" | "after",
+  columnStart?: number
 ): DashboardLayoutState {
-  if (sourceInstanceId === targetInstanceId) return layout;
   const source = layout.placements.find(
     (placement) => placement.instanceId === sourceInstanceId
   );
   if (!source) return layout;
+  const movedSource = {
+    ...source,
+    columnStart: normalizeDashboardColumnStart(
+      source.size,
+      columnStart ?? source.columnStart
+    )
+  };
+  if (sourceInstanceId === targetInstanceId) {
+    return updatePlacement(layout, movedSource);
+  }
   const remaining = layout.placements.filter(
     (placement) => placement.instanceId !== sourceInstanceId
   );
@@ -214,12 +287,46 @@ export function reorderPlacement(
     ...layout,
     placements: [
       ...remaining.slice(0, insertionIndex),
-      source,
+      movedSource,
       ...remaining.slice(insertionIndex)
     ]
   };
 }
 
+export function dashboardWidgetColumnSpan(
+  size: DashboardWidgetSize
+): number {
+  if (size === "small") return 1;
+  if (size === "medium") return 2;
+  if (size === "wide") return 3;
+  return DASHBOARD_COLUMN_COUNT;
+}
+
+export function normalizeDashboardColumnStart(
+  size: DashboardWidgetSize,
+  columnStart: unknown,
+  fallback = 1
+): number {
+  const maximum = DASHBOARD_COLUMN_COUNT - dashboardWidgetColumnSpan(size) + 1;
+  const candidate =
+    typeof columnStart === "number" && Number.isFinite(columnStart)
+      ? Math.trunc(columnStart)
+      : fallback;
+  return Math.min(maximum, Math.max(1, candidate));
+}
+
+export function nextDashboardColumnStart(
+  placements: DashboardWidgetPlacement[],
+  size: DashboardWidgetSize
+): number {
+  const previous = placements.at(-1);
+  if (!previous) return 1;
+  const candidate =
+    previous.columnStart + dashboardWidgetColumnSpan(previous.size);
+  const maximum = DASHBOARD_COLUMN_COUNT - dashboardWidgetColumnSpan(size) + 1;
+  return candidate <= maximum ? candidate : 1;
+}
+
 export function dashboardMasonryRowSpan(
   height: number,
   rowHeight: number,
@@ -311,29 +418,43 @@ export function widgetIsConfigurable(
 
 function normalizePlacement(
   placement: DashboardWidgetPlacement,
-  widget: DashboardWidgetContribution | undefined
+  widget: DashboardWidgetContribution | undefined,
+  fallbackColumnStart: number
 ): DashboardWidgetPlacement {
-  if (!widget) return placement;
-  const supported = supportedWidgetSizes(widget);
+  const supported = widget ? supportedWidgetSizes(widget) : SIZES;
+  const size = supported.includes(placement.size)
+    ? placement.size
+    : widget
+      ? defaultWidgetSize(widget)
+      : "medium";
   return {
     ...placement,
-    size: supported.includes(placement.size)
-      ? placement.size
-      : defaultWidgetSize(widget),
+    size,
+    columnStart: normalizeDashboardColumnStart(
+      size,
+      placement.columnStart,
+      fallbackColumnStart
+    ),
     configuration: {
-      ...(widget.defaultConfiguration ?? {}),
+      ...(widget?.defaultConfiguration ?? {}),
       ...placement.configuration
     }
   };
 }
 
 function placementFromResponse(
-  placement: DashboardWidgetPlacementResponse
+  placement: DashboardWidgetPlacementResponse,
+  fallbackColumnStart: number
 ): DashboardWidgetPlacement {
   return {
     instanceId: placement.instance_id,
     widgetId: placement.widget_id,
     size: placement.size,
+    columnStart: normalizeDashboardColumnStart(
+      placement.size,
+      placement.column_start,
+      fallbackColumnStart
+    ),
     configuration: { ...placement.configuration }
   };
 }
@@ -345,6 +466,7 @@ function placementToResponse(
     instance_id: placement.instanceId,
     widget_id: placement.widgetId,
     size: placement.size,
+    column_start: placement.columnStart,
     configuration: { ...placement.configuration }
   };
 }
@@ -355,8 +477,9 @@ function parseStoredLayout(value: unknown): DashboardLayoutState | null {
   if (!Array.isArray(candidate.placements) || !Array.isArray(candidate.knownWidgetIds)) {
     return null;
   }
-  const placements = candidate.placements.flatMap((item) => {
-    if (!item || typeof item !== "object") return [];
+  const placements: DashboardWidgetPlacement[] = [];
+  for (const item of candidate.placements) {
+    if (!item || typeof item !== "object") continue;
     const placement = item as Partial<DashboardWidgetPlacement>;
     if (
       typeof placement.instanceId !== "string"
@@ -366,15 +489,23 @@ function parseStoredLayout(value: unknown): DashboardLayoutState | null {
       || typeof placement.configuration !== "object"
       || Array.isArray(placement.configuration)
     ) {
-      return [];
+      continue;
     }
-    return [{
+    placements.push({
       instanceId: placement.instanceId,
       widgetId: placement.widgetId,
       size: placement.size as DashboardWidgetSize,
+      columnStart: normalizeDashboardColumnStart(
+        placement.size as DashboardWidgetSize,
+        placement.columnStart,
+        nextDashboardColumnStart(
+          placements,
+          placement.size as DashboardWidgetSize
+        )
+      ),
       configuration: sanitizeConfiguration(placement.configuration)
-    }];
-  });
+    });
+  }
   return {
     layoutVersion: 1,
     revision: typeof candidate.revision === "number" ? candidate.revision : 0,
@@ -394,14 +525,23 @@ function migrateLegacyLayout(
   }
   const visible = new Set(uniqueStrings(candidate.visible));
   const widgetById = new Map(widgets.map((widget) => [widget.id, widget]));
+  const placements: DashboardWidgetPlacement[] = [];
+  for (const widgetId of visible) {
+    const widget = widgetById.get(widgetId);
+    if (!widget) continue;
+    const size = defaultWidgetSize(widget);
+    placements.push(
+      createWidgetPlacement(
+        widget,
+        nextDashboardColumnStart(placements, size)
+      )
+    );
+  }
   return {
     layoutVersion: 1,
     revision: 0,
     knownWidgetIds: uniqueStrings(candidate.known),
-    placements: [...visible].flatMap((widgetId) => {
-      const widget = widgetById.get(widgetId);
-      return widget ? [createWidgetPlacement(widget)] : [];
-    })
+    placements
   };
 }
 
diff --git a/webui/src/styles/dashboard.css b/webui/src/styles/dashboard.css
index 89f9574..c5264c8 100644
--- a/webui/src/styles/dashboard.css
+++ b/webui/src/styles/dashboard.css
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@
   position: relative;
   align-self: start;
   margin-bottom: 18px;
+  grid-column-start: var(--dashboard-column-start, auto);
 }
 
 .dashboard-widget > .card {
@@ -31,16 +32,19 @@
 }
 
 .dashboard-widget-small {
-  grid-column: span 1;
+  grid-column-end: span 1;
 }
 
 .dashboard-widget-medium {
-  grid-column: span 2;
+  grid-column-end: span 2;
+}
+
+.dashboard-widget-wide {
+  grid-column-end: span 3;
 }
 
-.dashboard-widget-wide,
 .dashboard-widget-full {
-  grid-column: 1 / -1;
+  grid-column-end: span 4;
 }
 
 .dashboard-compact-list.detail-list div {
@@ -318,6 +322,15 @@
     grid-template-columns: repeat(2, minmax(220px, 1fr));
   }
 
+  .dashboard-widget {
+    grid-column-start: auto;
+  }
+
+  .dashboard-widget-wide,
+  .dashboard-widget-full {
+    grid-column: 1 / -1;
+  }
+
   .dashboard-widget-library {
     grid-template-columns: minmax(200px, 240px) minmax(0, 1fr) 36px;
   }
diff --git a/webui/tests/dashboard-layout.test.ts b/webui/tests/dashboard-layout.test.ts
index 6b0b126..38f1684 100644
--- a/webui/tests/dashboard-layout.test.ts
+++ b/webui/tests/dashboard-layout.test.ts
@@ -2,13 +2,18 @@ import assert from "node:assert/strict";
 import {
   appendPlacement,
   dashboardMasonryRowSpan,
+  dashboardWidgetColumnSpan,
   defaultDashboardLayout,
   layoutUpdatePayload,
+  normalizeDashboardColumnStart,
   reconcileDashboardLayout,
   removePlacement,
   reorderPlacement
 } from "../src/features/dashboard/dashboardLayout.ts";
-import { dashboardGridPreview } from "../src/features/dashboard/dashboardEditorTypes.ts";
+import {
+  dashboardColumnStartFromPointer,
+  dashboardGridPreview
+} from "../src/features/dashboard/dashboardEditorTypes.ts";
 
 const widgets = [
   {
@@ -36,6 +41,7 @@ const defaults = defaultDashboardLayout(widgets);
 assert.deepEqual(defaults.knownWidgetIds, ["one", "two"]);
 assert.equal(defaults.placements.length, 1);
 assert.equal(defaults.placements[0].widgetId, "one");
+assert.equal(defaults.placements[0].columnStart, 1);
 assert.deepEqual(defaults.placements[0].configuration, { count: 3 });
 
 const withTwo = appendPlacement(defaults, widgets[1]);
@@ -43,6 +49,11 @@ assert.deepEqual(
   withTwo.placements.map((placement) => placement.widgetId),
   ["one", "two"]
 );
+assert.equal(
+  withTwo.placements[1].columnStart,
+  2,
+  "new widgets should use the next available horizontal position"
+);
 assert.equal(
   appendPlacement(withTwo, widgets[1]).placements.length,
   2,
@@ -53,12 +64,19 @@ const reordered = reorderPlacement(
   withTwo,
   withTwo.placements[1].instanceId,
   withTwo.placements[0].instanceId,
-  "before"
+  "before",
+  3
 );
 assert.deepEqual(
   reordered.placements.map((placement) => placement.widgetId),
   ["two", "one"]
 );
+assert.equal(
+  reordered.placements[0].columnStart,
+  3,
+  "moving a widget must change its column without moving other columns"
+);
+assert.equal(reordered.placements[1].columnStart, 1);
 
 const removed = removePlacement(reordered, reordered.placements[0].instanceId);
 assert.deepEqual(
@@ -75,7 +93,8 @@ const placementPreview = dashboardGridPreview(
   {
     kind: "placement",
     instanceId: withTwo.placements[1].instanceId,
-    edge: "after"
+    edge: "after",
+    columnStart: 3
   }
 );
 assert.deepEqual(
@@ -87,6 +106,13 @@ assert.deepEqual(
   ["two:false", "one:true"],
   "placement previews must show the prospective order"
 );
+assert.equal(
+  placementPreview[1].kind === "placement"
+    ? placementPreview[1].placement.columnStart
+    : null,
+  3,
+  "placement previews must show the prospective column"
+);
 
 const cataloguePreview = dashboardGridPreview(
   withTwo.placements,
@@ -94,7 +120,8 @@ const cataloguePreview = dashboardGridPreview(
   {
     kind: "placement",
     instanceId: withTwo.placements[0].instanceId,
-    edge: "after"
+    edge: "after",
+    columnStart: 2
   },
   "wide"
 );
@@ -107,11 +134,19 @@ assert.deepEqual(
   ["one", "three:wide", "two"],
   "catalogue previews must reserve the prospective widget size"
 );
+assert.equal(
+  cataloguePreview[1].kind === "catalogue"
+    ? cataloguePreview[1].columnStart
+    : null,
+  2,
+  "catalogue previews must reserve the selected horizontal position"
+);
 
 const unavailablePlacement = {
   instanceId: "unavailable-instance",
   widgetId: "temporarily-disabled",
   size: "wide" as const,
+  columnStart: 2,
   configuration: { mode: "summary" }
 };
 const reconciled = reconcileDashboardLayout(
@@ -124,8 +159,8 @@ const reconciled = reconcileDashboardLayout(
   widgets
 );
 assert.equal(
-  reconciled.placements[0],
-  unavailablePlacement,
+  reconciled.placements[0].columnStart,
+  2,
   "temporarily unavailable contributions must retain their placement"
 );
 assert.equal(
@@ -138,8 +173,29 @@ assert.equal(reconciled.revision, 4);
 const payload = layoutUpdatePayload(reconciled);
 assert.equal(payload.expected_revision, 4);
 assert.equal(payload.placements[0].instance_id, "unavailable-instance");
+assert.equal(payload.placements[0].column_start, 2);
 assert.equal(payload.placements[0].configuration.mode, "summary");
 
+assert.equal(dashboardWidgetColumnSpan("small"), 1);
+assert.equal(dashboardWidgetColumnSpan("medium"), 2);
+assert.equal(dashboardWidgetColumnSpan("wide"), 3);
+assert.equal(dashboardWidgetColumnSpan("full"), 4);
+assert.equal(
+  normalizeDashboardColumnStart("medium", 4),
+  3,
+  "column starts must be clamped so the widget stays in the four-column grid"
+);
+assert.equal(
+  dashboardColumnStartFromPointer(500, 0, 1000, 20, 2, 4),
+  2,
+  "a two-column widget must be placeable in the middle columns"
+);
+assert.equal(
+  dashboardColumnStartFromPointer(950, 0, 1000, 20, 3, 4),
+  2,
+  "a three-column widget must be placeable from column two"
+);
+
 const repeatingWidget = {
   ...widgets[0],
   id: "repeating",