Framer sticky elements are layers that stay fixed in view while the rest of the page scrolls past them. You set an element to stick by changing its position behavior to Sticky in the properties panel, then defining where it pins, such as the top of the viewport. Sticky navigation bars and pinned media are the most common uses.
Sticky behavior is one of the highest-leverage interactions you can add to a site because it keeps important things, a navigation bar, a call-to-action button, a table of contents, always reachable. Done well, it reduces friction and lifts conversion. Done poorly, it eats screen space and annoys visitors on small phones.
This guide explains exactly how sticky positioning works in Framer, the step-by-step setup for the most useful patterns, how sticky differs from fixed, the mobile rules that keep it from backfiring, and the scroll effects you can build by combining sticky with other Framer features. It reflects how Framer’s position controls behave today.
Key takeaways
- Set any element to Sticky in the Framer properties panel and define its pin offset, such as 0 from the top.
- A sticky element scrolls normally until it reaches its pin point, then it holds position while content scrolls past.
- Sticky is scoped to its parent container, while fixed is anchored to the whole viewport regardless of section.
- The strongest uses are sticky navigation, a sticky call-to-action, a sticky table of contents, and pinned scroll sequences.
- On mobile, keep sticky elements small and few, since fixed bars steal scarce screen height.
How sticky positioning works in Framer
A sticky element behaves like a normal element while it is inside the visible area, then pins once scrolling pushes it to a defined edge. Imagine a navigation bar at the top of a section. As you scroll up the page, the bar scrolls with the content until it touches the top of the viewport, at which point it sticks there and the rest of the page continues scrolling underneath it.
The key concept is the pin point. You decide the edge it pins to (top, bottom, left, or right) and the offset from that edge. A top offset of 0 pins it flush to the top; an offset of 20 leaves a 20-pixel gap. The element stays pinned only while its parent container is on screen, which is what makes sticky different from fixed.
Setting an element to sticky, step by step
- Select the element you want to make sticky on the canvas.
- In the right properties panel, find the Position control (it usually defaults to Relative or In Layout).
- Change the position type to Sticky.
- Choose the edge it should pin to, most often Top for a navigation bar.
- Set the offset value, such as 0 to pin flush or a small number to leave breathing room.
- Confirm the element sits inside the container you want it to stick within, since sticky is scoped to its parent.
- Preview and scroll to confirm it pins and releases where you expect.
Sticky versus fixed: the difference that trips people up
Sticky and fixed look similar but behave differently, and choosing the wrong one causes most sticky bugs.
| Behavior | Sticky | Fixed |
|---|---|---|
| Anchored to | Its parent container | The whole viewport |
| Scrolls with content | Until it reaches the pin point | Never, always pinned |
| Releases when | Parent scrolls off screen | Never releases |
| Best for | Section nav, table of contents, pinned media | Site-wide nav bar, persistent call to action |
Use sticky when the element should travel with one section and let go when that section ends. Use fixed when the element must stay on screen across the entire page, such as a global navigation bar or a persistent help button. Picking sticky for a global nav inside a short container is the classic mistake that makes a bar “disappear” too early.
The four highest-value sticky patterns
Most of the value of sticky comes from a few proven patterns. Reach for these before inventing something novel.
Sticky navigation bar
A sticky or fixed navigation bar keeps your menu and primary call to action reachable at all times. Visitors who decide to act halfway down a long page do not have to scroll back up. For a site-wide bar, fixed is usually the right choice. Keep the bar slim so it does not crowd content, and consider shrinking it slightly after the first scroll for a refined feel.
Sticky call-to-action
A pinned button or small bar carrying your main action (“Book a call”, “Start free”) keeps conversion one click away. This pattern is especially effective on long landing pages where the hero call to action scrolls out of view. Keep it visually distinct but not aggressive.
Sticky table of contents
On long-form articles and documentation, a sticky table of contents in a side column lets readers jump between sections without losing their place. It improves navigation and signals that the content is substantial. Pin it within the article container so it releases when the article ends.
Pinned scroll sequences
Combining sticky positioning with scroll effects creates the pinned-section pattern, where one element holds in place while related content animates or scrolls beside it. This is how product pages build “scrollytelling” sections, such as a pinned phone mockup whose screen changes as text scrolls past. To build these effects well, pair sticky with scroll-linked motion; our guide to Framer scroll animations covers the scroll triggers that make pinned sequences feel intentional, and the wider complete guide to Framer animations shows how to layer entrance effects on top.
Mobile rules for sticky elements
Phones have little vertical space, so a sticky bar that feels light on desktop can swallow a quarter of the screen on mobile. The discipline here protects usability.
- Keep sticky bars slim. A tall pinned header on mobile leaves little room for content.
- Limit to one sticky element. A sticky nav plus a sticky call to action plus a sticky cookie bar can leave almost nothing visible.
- Prefer a compact mobile call to action. A single pinned button at the bottom often works better than a full bar.
- Respect safe areas. On modern phones, account for the rounded corners and home indicator so pinned elements are not clipped or hard to tap.
Framer lets you set position behavior per breakpoint, so you can pin an element on desktop and let it scroll normally on mobile, or swap a full sticky bar for a single compact button. Always test on a real phone, because the desktop preview hides how much height a sticky bar actually consumes.
Common sticky problems and fixes
When sticky does not behave, the cause is almost always one of these.
The element releases too early
This means the element is sticking within a short parent container that scrolls off screen quickly. Move the element into a taller parent, or switch to fixed if it needs to persist across the whole page.
The element overlaps content
A pinned element sits above the content it overlaps. Add top padding or margin to the following content equal to the sticky element’s height so nothing hides behind it.
It works on desktop but breaks on mobile
Set a separate position behavior at the mobile breakpoint. Often the right answer is to disable sticky on mobile entirely and rely on a compact bottom call to action instead.
Sticky elements and conversion
Sticky behavior is not only a usability nicety; it directly affects how many visitors take action. The logic is simple. The further a visitor scrolls, the more invested they are, and the more likely they are to convert if the action is reachable. A call to action that scrolls out of view forces a motivated visitor to scroll back up, and some will not bother.
Keep the primary action one click away
On long landing pages, a sticky or fixed bar carrying the main action means the decision to act can be acted on instantly, at any scroll depth. This is most valuable on pages where the content is long enough that the hero button disappears early. Measure it: a pinned call to action is one of the easier wins to test against a control with analytics in place.
Do not stack competing calls to action
A sticky nav with its own button, plus a separate sticky call-to-action bar, plus inline buttons in the content, gives the visitor too many choices and dilutes each one. Decide on one primary action and let the sticky element carry it. Secondary actions belong inline, not pinned.
Pairing sticky with a sound layout system
Sticky elements work best inside a layout that already has clear structure and breathing room. A pinned table of contents needs a multi-column layout with a defined side column; a sticky product mockup needs a tall section so the pinned element holds while related content scrolls. Starting from a well-built template gives you these structures for free. Agencies and studios that want layouts ready for sticky navigation and pinned scroll sequences can browse our roundup of the best Framer templates for agencies, which include the column structures these patterns rely on.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between sticky and fixed positioning in Framer?
A sticky element is anchored to its parent container: it scrolls normally until it reaches its pin point, holds there while the parent is on screen, then releases when the parent scrolls away. A fixed element is anchored to the whole viewport and stays pinned across the entire page. Use sticky for section-scoped elements and fixed for site-wide bars.
How do I make a navigation bar stick to the top in Framer?
Select the navigation bar, open the Position control in the right properties panel, and set it to Sticky or Fixed. For a bar that stays at the top across the whole page, Fixed with a top offset of 0 is usually correct. For a bar that should pin only within a section, use Sticky inside that section’s container. Keep the bar slim and preview the scroll behavior before publishing.
Do sticky elements hurt mobile usability?
They can if overused. Phones have limited vertical space, so a tall pinned header or multiple sticky bars can swallow much of the screen. Keep sticky elements slim, limit to one per view, and use Framer’s per-breakpoint position controls to simplify or disable sticky on mobile, often replacing a full bar with a single compact call-to-action button.
Why does my sticky element disappear before I expect it to?
Sticky positioning is scoped to the element’s parent container. If that container is short, the element releases as soon as the container scrolls off screen, which can feel premature. Move the element into a taller parent so it stays pinned longer, or switch it to fixed if it needs to remain visible across the whole page.
If you want a Framer site with sticky navigation, pinned scroll sequences, and a layout that converts on every device, Framer Websites designs and builds it for you. See our pricing or get in touch through our contact page to talk through what you need.