How does the "position: sticky;" property work?

html

responsive-design

best-practices

css

byAnton Shumikhin·Sep 28, 2024

The position: sticky; CSS property acts like a switch: depending on the user's scroll position, it makes an element behave either like it's relatively positioned or fixedly positioned. This effect "clings" the element to an edge of the viewport past a certain scroll point.

#stickyElement {
  position: sticky;
  top: 10px; /* Because who doesn't like the view from top? */
}

<div style="position: relative;">
  <div id="stickyElement"> I'll be stuck at the top after 10px of scrolling!</div>
</div>

This toggle-like behavior adds a dynamic user experience to your webpage and is perfect for parts of the interface that you want to be easily accessible, like navigation bars.

Quick check-list for `position: sticky;`

Hold on! Before you hit the running ground, let's make sure your position: sticky; runs smoothly. Here's a quick checklist:

Establish a threshold: Set a definite **top, bottom, left, or right**property to get stickiness rolling.
Watch your attribute: Ensure you're using position: sticky; instead of display: sticky;. Trust me, they're not the same.
Meticulous parents: Check that no parent element has overflow: hidden or scroll which can interrupt the stickiness.
Healthy ancestors: Make sure no up-the-tree element has a fixed or absolute position that can mess with your sticky vibe.
Direct lineage: The sticky element should preferably be a direct child of any scrollable container.
Consider Compatibility: Add position: -webkit-sticky; if you want to shake hands with Safari browsers.
Z-index: Setting a z-index helps your sticky element stay on top and not get buried under other content. It's the king of the hill!
Test in all Environments: It should behave inside WebView environments. Sticky elements can be fussy kids sometimes!
Thoughtful Placement: Mind the blocking of important mobile interaction areas.