In brief
grid-column sets an item's start and end or span along the column axis. 1 / 3 covers the space between the first and third lines.
Useful to know
grid-column sets an item's start and end or span along the column axis. 1 / 3 covers the space between the first and third lines. [1]
That differs from three columns. If a component occupies an unexpected number of cells, count lines and inspect named areas. Explicit placement can also create columns outside the predefined grid.
Sources
For further detail and to check the information: