When Should You Use `position:sticky` vs. `position:fixed`?

Understanding the Subtleties: position:sticky vs. position:fixed

The world of CSS positioning can be perplexing, especially for those new to the domain. One of the more elusive concepts is the difference between position:sticky and position:fixed. Let's delve into their unique behaviors to resolve any confusion.

position:fixed

Position:fixed firmly anchors an element to a specific location within its scrolling container or the viewport. Regardless of the scrolling motion, the element maintains its fixed position, unaffected by the flow of other elements within its container. It acts as a constant reference point, irrespective of the user's scrolling activity.

position:sticky

In comparison, position:sticky initially behaves like position:relative, permitting the element to follow the document's flow. However, once the element is scrolled beyond a predetermined offset, it undergoes a transformation, becoming equivalent to position:fixed. This "sticky" behavior ensures that the element remains fixed to its position, refusing to be scrolled out of sight. As the scrolling motion reverses, it eventually "un-sticks" and reverts to its original behavior.

Practical Example

To illustrate the difference, consider a sidebar menu. If positioned as fixed, the menu would remain static onscreen, even as you scroll through the page content. On the other hand, a sticky sidebar would only adhere to a specific position when scrolled past a certain point. This behavior allows it to remain visible while still allowing access to the page content beneath it.

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