LazyRow for horizontal lists in Android Kotlin

Introduction

LazyRow helps you show a list of items side by side that you can scroll horizontally. It only creates items you see on screen, so it saves memory and runs smoothly.

Showing a list of photos you can swipe left or right.

Displaying categories in a shopping app horizontally.

Showing a row of buttons or tags that scroll sideways.

Displaying a timeline or steps horizontally.

Showing a list of products in a horizontal carousel.

Syntax

Android Kotlin

LazyRow(
    modifier = Modifier.fillMaxWidth(),
    contentPadding = PaddingValues(horizontal = 16.dp),
    horizontalArrangement = Arrangement.spacedBy(8.dp)
) {
    items(yourList) { item ->
        Text(text = item)
    }
}

LazyRow is a composable that shows items horizontally and loads only visible items.

You use items() inside LazyRow to provide the list data and how each item looks.

Examples

Simple LazyRow showing three fruits horizontally.

Android Kotlin

LazyRow {
    items(listOf("Apple", "Banana", "Cherry")) { fruit ->
        Text(text = fruit)
    }
}

LazyRow with an empty list shows nothing but still works without errors.

Android Kotlin

LazyRow(
    horizontalArrangement = Arrangement.spacedBy(12.dp)
) {
    items(emptyList<String>()) { item ->
        Text(text = item)
    }
}

LazyRow with only one item shows that single item horizontally.

Android Kotlin

LazyRow {
    items(listOf("One")) { item ->
        Text(text = item)
    }
}

LazyRow showing items at the start, middle, and end horizontally.

Android Kotlin

LazyRow {
    items(listOf("Start", "Middle", "End")) { item ->
        Text(text = item)
    }
}

Sample App

This app shows a horizontal list of fruit names you can scroll left or right. The fruits are spaced nicely with padding on the sides.

Android Kotlin

import android.os.Bundle
import androidx.activity.ComponentActivity
import androidx.activity.compose.setContent
import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.Arrangement
import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.PaddingValues
import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.fillMaxWidth
import androidx.compose.foundation.lazy.LazyRow
import androidx.compose.foundation.lazy.items
import androidx.compose.material3.MaterialTheme
import androidx.compose.material3.Surface
import androidx.compose.material3.Text
import androidx.compose.runtime.Composable
import androidx.compose.ui.Modifier
import androidx.compose.ui.unit.dp

class MainActivity : ComponentActivity() {
    override fun onCreate(savedInstanceState: Bundle?) {
        super.onCreate(savedInstanceState)
        setContent {
            MaterialTheme {
                Surface(modifier = Modifier.fillMaxWidth()) {
                    FruitLazyRow()
                }
            }
        }
    }
}

@Composable
fun FruitLazyRow() {
    val fruits = listOf("Apple", "Banana", "Cherry", "Date", "Elderberry")
    LazyRow(
        modifier = Modifier.fillMaxWidth(),
        contentPadding = PaddingValues(horizontal = 16.dp),
        horizontalArrangement = Arrangement.spacedBy(12.dp)
    ) {
        items(fruits) { fruit ->
            Text(text = fruit)
        }
    }
}

Important Notes

LazyRow only creates items visible on screen, so it uses less memory than a regular Row with many items.

Use contentPadding to add space at the start and end of the list.

Common mistake: Forgetting to use items() inside LazyRow causes errors.

Summary

LazyRow shows horizontal lists efficiently by loading only visible items.

Use items() to provide the list and how each item looks.

It is perfect for scrollable horizontal menus, photos, or tags.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of using LazyRow in Android Compose?

easy

A. To display a horizontally scrollable list that loads only visible items

B. To create a vertical list with fixed item sizes

C. To handle user input events in Compose

D. To manage app navigation between screens

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand LazyRow's role

   LazyRow is designed to show horizontal lists efficiently by loading only the items visible on screen.

2. Step 2: Compare with other options

   Options A, B, and C describe unrelated features: navigation, vertical lists, and input handling, not LazyRow's purpose.

3. Final Answer:

   To display a horizontally scrollable list that loads only visible items -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   LazyRow = horizontal efficient list [OK]

Hint: LazyRow is for horizontal scrolling lists only [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing LazyRow with LazyColumn (vertical list)
• Thinking LazyRow manages navigation
• Assuming LazyRow handles input events

2. Which of the following is the correct syntax to create a LazyRow with a list of strings named itemsList?

easy

A. LazyRow { for(item in itemsList) { Text(item) } }

B. LazyRow(itemsList) { Text(it) }

C. LazyRow { items(itemsList) { item -> Text(item) } }

D. LazyRow { itemList.forEach { Text(it) } }

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall LazyRow usage with items()

   LazyRow uses the items() function to iterate over a list and display each item.

2. Step 2: Check syntax correctness

   LazyRow { items(itemsList) { item -> Text(item) } } correctly uses items(itemsList) { item -> Text(item) }. Options B, C, and D use invalid or unsupported syntax for LazyRow.

3. Final Answer:

   LazyRow { items(itemsList) { item -> Text(item) } } -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   LazyRow + items() = LazyRow { items(itemsList) { item -> Text(item) } } [OK]

Hint: Use items() inside LazyRow for lists [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Passing list directly as parameter to LazyRow
• Using for loops inside LazyRow instead of items()
• Misspelling items() or using wrong variable names

3. What will be displayed by this code snippet?

val colors = listOf("Red", "Green", "Blue")
LazyRow {
  items(colors) { color ->
    Text(text = color)
  }
}

medium

A. A vertical list showing Red, Green, Blue

B. A horizontal scrollable row showing Red, Green, Blue texts

C. An error because colors is immutable

D. Nothing, because LazyRow requires a modifier

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze the code behavior

   The code creates a LazyRow with items from the colors list, displaying each color as Text horizontally.

2. Step 2: Evaluate options

   A horizontal scrollable row showing Red, Green, Blue texts correctly describes a horizontal scrollable row showing the color names. A vertical list showing Red, Green, Blue is wrong because LazyRow is horizontal, not vertical. An error because colors is immutable is wrong; immutable lists are fine. Nothing, because LazyRow requires a modifier is incorrect; modifier is optional.

3. Final Answer:

   A horizontal scrollable row showing Red, Green, Blue texts -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   LazyRow + items(colors) = horizontal list [OK]

Hint: LazyRow always scrolls horizontally [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking LazyRow creates vertical lists
• Assuming immutable lists cause errors
• Believing modifier is mandatory for display

4. Identify the error in this LazyRow code:

LazyRow {
  items(listOf("A", "B", "C")) { item ->
    Text item
  }
}

medium

A. LazyRow cannot use listOf() directly

B. items() requires a modifier parameter

C. Text composable requires named parameter for text

D. Missing parentheses in Text composable

Solution

1. Step 1: Check Text composable usage

   Text is missing parentheses: Text item should be Text(item).

2. Step 2: Verify other parts

   items() can accept listOf() directly, and modifier is optional.

3. Final Answer:

   Missing parentheses in Text composable -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Text(item) syntax required [OK]

Hint: Text(item) always needs parentheses [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Missing parentheses in Text(item)
• Thinking items() requires modifier parameter
• Assuming listOf() cannot be used inline

5. You want to create a LazyRow that shows a horizontal list of numbers from 1 to 5, but only even numbers should be displayed. Which code snippet correctly implements this?

hard

A. LazyRow { items((1..5).filter { it % 2 == 0 }) { Text(text = it.toString()) } }

B. LazyRow { items(1..5) { Text(text = it.toString()) } }

C. LazyRow { items(1..5) { Text(text = if (it % 2 == 0) it.toString() else "odd") } }

D. LazyRow { items((1..5).map { if (it % 2 == 0) it else null }) { Text(text = it.toString()) } }

Solution

1. Step 1: Filter the list before passing to items()

   LazyRow { items((1..5).filter { it % 2 == 0 }) { Text(text = it.toString()) } } filters the range to only even numbers, so items() receives only 2 and 4.

2. Step 2: Check other options for correctness

   LazyRow { items(1..5) { Text(text = it.toString()) } } displays all numbers 1-5. LazyRow { items(1..5) { Text(text = if (it % 2 == 0) it.toString() else "odd") } } displays 'odd' for odd numbers. LazyRow { items((1..5).map { if (it % 2 == 0) it else null }) { Text(text = it.toString()) } } maps odd numbers to null, which causes runtime errors.

3. Final Answer:

   LazyRow { items((1..5).filter { it % 2 == 0 }) { Text(text = it.toString()) } } -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Filter list before items() = LazyRow { items((1..5).filter { it % 2 == 0 }) { Text(text = it.toString()) } } [OK]

Hint: Filter list before items() to show selective items [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Forgetting the filtering condition entirely
• Mapping to null causing errors
• Displaying placeholder text for unwanted items