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How to Use CSS to Create a ‘Sticky-Scroll’ Effect

Creating a smooth and engaging user experience on your website often involves making certain elements persistently visible while scrolling. One effective way to achieve this is by using CSS’s position: sticky; property. In this post, we’ll explore how to use CSS to implement a ‘sticky-scroll’ effect and discuss practical use cases.

What is position: sticky;?

The position: sticky; property allows an element to remain fixed within its parent container while scrolling, but only after reaching a specified scroll position. This is useful for keeping navigation menus, call-to-action buttons, or important notices visible as users navigate your page.

Implementing a Simple Sticky Element

To create a basic sticky element, use the following CSS:

.sticky-scroll {
    position: sticky;
    top: 50px;
}

Explanation:

  • position: sticky; makes the element behave like a relative element until it reaches the specified position, at which point it sticks in place.
  • top: 50px; ensures that the element sticks 50 pixels from the top of the viewport when scrolling.

Example Usage

Here’s a simple example where a sidebar remains visible as you scroll down the page:

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
    <meta charset="UTF-8">
    <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
    <title>Sticky Scroll Example</title>
    <style>
        body {
            font-family: Arial, sans-serif;
            display: flex;
            gap: 20px;
        }
        .sidebar {
            width: 200px;
            height: 300px;
            background: #f4f4f4;
            padding: 20px;
            position: sticky;
            top: 50px;
        }
        .content {
            flex: 1;
            height: 2000px;
            background: #eaeaea;
            padding: 20px;
        }
    </style>
</head>
<body>
    <div class="sidebar sticky-scroll">
        Sticky Sidebar
    </div>
    <div class="content">
        Scroll down to see the effect.
    </div>
</body>
</html>

Considerations for Sticky Elements

  1. Parent Container: The sticky element must be within a scrollable parent; otherwise, it may not behave as expected.
  2. Stacking Context: Ensure no parent has overflow: hidden;, as this can break the sticky behavior.
  3. Browser Support: Most modern browsers support position: sticky;, but always check for compatibility if supporting older browsers.

Use Cases for Sticky Scrolling

  • Navigation menus that remain accessible while scrolling.
  • Floating call-to-action buttons that encourage conversions.
  • Table headers that stay in place for better readability.

By using position: sticky;, you can enhance the user experience without relying on JavaScript. Try implementing it in your next project and see the difference it makes!

About Robert

Robert is a graphic designer specializing in branding, website design, and marketing. With a career spanning print magazines, agencies, nonprofits, and startups, Robert creates visually compelling and strategically driven designs. Passionate about building cohesive brand systems in Figma, he helps businesses craft memorable identities and high-performing websites. When not designing, you’ll find him enjoying coastal life, spending time with his German Shepherds, or tending to his ever-growing plant collection.