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How to change scroll bar position with CSS?

html
responsive-design
css
scrollbar
Anton ShumikhinbyAnton Shumikhin·Jan 23, 2025
TLDR

To control scroll snap position with CSS, the scroll-margin property comes into play and can be set on elements:

.element { scroll-margin-top: 20px; /* Boosts control over snap alignment */ }

This principle adjusts the alignment of the scrolled-to element, a lifeline for ensuring user scrolls land as desired.

RTFM — Right to Left flip

Let's get straight to the point — how to relocate a scrollbar from your comfortable right-hand side to the far left?

Simple: the direction CSS property works like a charm:

.container { /* Initiating rogue scrollbar behaviour on the left side */ direction: rtl; }

Upside Down — Bottom to Top flip

What is life without some gravity-defying acts? How about flipping the scrollbar from bottom to top? Take a seat as we witness the power of transform:

.container { transform: rotate(180deg); /* Sending the scrollbar to dizzying heights */ overflow: hidden; /* Magic trick: making the default overflow disappear */ } .inner { /* Ah-ha! Just kidding. Restoring orientation for content */ transform: rotate(-180deg); }

Know your Boundaries — Adjusting Dimensions

Messing around with the width and height of the container can help your scrollbar to find its optimal position. But remember: with great power comes great responsibility not to wreck your site's layout.

Surgeon's Table — Advanced Scrollbar Strategies

Overflow Management

Overflow properties offer granular control over the horizontal and vertical axes, perfect for conscientious surgeons of code:

.scrollable-container { /* Will add a horizontal scrollbar, but only if needed */ overflow-x: auto; /* The vertical scrollbar shall not pass! */ overflow-y: hidden; }

Precision Alignment

Margin and padding properties help you fine-tune your container's position:

.scrollable-container { margin: 0 auto; /* Tailoring a perfect fit */ padding: 10px; /* A little room to breathe */ }

A Spin Around the Block

Rotation is your elusive trick up the sleeve. By rotating the content while keeping the scrollbar axis steady, horizontal scrolls are a cinch for vertical content:

.vertical-content { /* Mixing the potion for horizontal scrolls */ transform: rotate(-90deg); }

Directionality

The dir attribute manipulates scrolling behavior:

<div dir="rtl"> <!-- RTL: Right-to-Left (not Radio Télévision Luxembourg) --> </div>

Nested content can have its own direction:

<div dir="rtl"> <div dir="ltr"> <!-- Rebels on the inside. Scrolls left-to-right, no matter what. --> </div> </div>

Styling

Scrollbar desperately begs for a makeover? ::webkit-scrollbar to the rescue:

/* Supermodel transformation */ ::-webkit-scrollbar { width: 10px; }

Cross-Browser Considerations

Remember to play nice with every browser. Not all CSS properties affecting the scrollbar are universally loved. Tools like autoprefixer are invaluable allies.