Position fixed and sticky in CSS - Practice Problems & Coding Challenges

Challenge - 5 Problems

🧠 Conceptual

intermediate

Understanding position: fixed behavior

What happens to an element with position: fixed when you scroll the page?

A It stays in the same place relative to the viewport, not moving when scrolling.

B It scrolls with the page content like a normal element.

C It moves only horizontally but not vertically when scrolling.

D It disappears when you scroll past its original position.

💡 Hint

Think about a sticky note stuck to your computer screen that never moves when you scroll.

An element with position: fixed is fixed relative to the browser window (viewport). It stays visible in the same spot even when you scroll the page.

🧠 Conceptual

intermediate

How position: sticky works

Which statement best describes how position: sticky behaves?

A It disappears when scrolling past its container.

B It behaves like <code>relative</code> until a scroll threshold, then it sticks to a position.

C It behaves like <code>absolute</code> and moves with the nearest positioned ancestor.

D It behaves like <code>fixed</code> all the time, ignoring scroll position.

💡 Hint

Imagine a header that scrolls up but then sticks at the top of the page.

position: sticky acts like a normal element until the viewport scrolls past a defined offset, then it sticks in place.

📝 Syntax

advanced

CSS for sticky header with top offset

Which CSS snippet correctly makes a header sticky at 0 distance from the top of the viewport?

CSS

header {
  /* Your CSS here */
}

A position: relative; top: 0;

B position: fixed; top: 0;

C position: absolute; top: 0;

D position: sticky; top: 0;

💡 Hint

Sticky means it scrolls until it reaches the top, then stays there.

position: sticky with top: 0 makes the element stick to the top of the viewport when scrolling.

❓ rendering

advanced

Visual effect of fixed vs sticky

You have two boxes: one with position: fixed; top: 10px; and another with position: sticky; top: 10px;. What will you see when you scroll down the page?

A The sticky box stays fixed at 10px from top always; the fixed box scrolls normally.

B Both boxes scroll normally and disappear when out of view.

C The fixed box stays visible at 10px from top always; the sticky box scrolls until 10px from top then sticks.

D Both boxes disappear when scrolling past their original position.

💡 Hint

Think about which box behaves like glued to the screen and which one only sticks after scrolling.

The fixed box stays visible at 10px from the viewport top always. The sticky box scrolls with content until it reaches 10px from top, then it sticks there.

❓ accessibility

expert

Accessibility considerations for fixed and sticky elements

Which accessibility best practice should you follow when using position: fixed or position: sticky for navigation bars?

A Ensure keyboard focus can reach all interactive elements and that fixed/sticky bars do not cover content.

B Use fixed or sticky positioning without any additional ARIA roles or focus management.

C Hide fixed or sticky elements from assistive technologies to reduce clutter.

D Avoid using fixed or sticky positioning because screen readers cannot read them.

💡 Hint

Think about users who navigate with keyboard or screen readers and how fixed bars might block content.

Fixed or sticky navigation bars must be accessible by keyboard and not block important content. Proper focus management and ARIA roles help users navigate easily.