How to Create a Sticky Header in Elementor Editor (v3 & v4)

A sticky header keeps your site’s navigation bar visible as visitors scroll down the page. The method to achieve this depends on your editor version:

• In Elementor Editor v4 (Atomic Editor): Wrap your header inside a parent container set to Static with an explicit minimum height, then set the inner header container to Position: Fixed (with Top: 0 and Z-index: 99).
• In Elementor Editor v3: Select your header container, go to Advanced > Motion Effects, and set Sticky to Top.

Follow the detailed step-by-step walkthrough below for your active editor version.

How to Create a Sticky Header in Elementor Editor v4 (Atomic Editor)

In Elementor Editor v4 (Atomic Editor), native CSS sticky (position: sticky) is container-bound, meaning the header stops sticking once its section scrolls out of view. To keep your header visible across the entire page, use a Fixed position.

Because fixed elements are lifted out of the normal page flow and take up zero vertical space, place your header inside an outer wrapper container that acts as an invisible spacer to prevent page content from sliding underneath it.

1. Create a parent wrapper container:
   Open your header template in the Elementor Editor and add a new container to the canvas. (This container acts as an invisible placeholder to keep your page content from jumping up).
   • In the Edit Flexbox panel, select the Style tab and open Size.
   • Set Width to 100% and Min height to match the height of your header (e.g., 80px).
   • Open Position and ensure it is set to Static.
     
2. Create the inner header container :
   • Add a second container inside the outer wrapper container you just created. (This will hold your site elements, such as your logo, navigation menu, and buttons). 
   • Under Style > Size, set Width to 100%.
3. Set the position to Fixed and configure stacking:
   • Select the inner header container.
   • In the Edit Flexbox panel, go to Style > Position.
   • Set the Position dropdown to Fixed.
   • In the Top offset field, enter 0 (always enter an explicit number, even 0, to prevent browser rendering jumps).
   • Set the Z-index field to 99.
     

How to Create a Sticky Header in Elementor Editor v3

In Elementor Editor v3, sticky behavior is built directly into the Motion Effects panel.

1. Select the Header Container:
   • Open your Header template and select your main header container or section – either by clicking its handle on the canvas or by selecting it from the Structure panel.
     
2. Open Motion Effects:
   • In the Edit Container panel, select the Advanced tab.
   • Expand the Motion Effects section.
3. Enable Sticky:
   • Open the Sticky dropdown menu and select Top.
4. Choose Active Devices:
   • Under Sticky On, select the devices where the header should float (Desktop, Tablet Portrait, or Mobile Portrait).
     

5. Adjust Offsets (Optional):
   • Offset: Set the distance (in pixels) between the header and the top of the viewport when stuck.
   • Effects Offset: Enter the number of pixels a visitor must scroll before sticky styles activate (useful for transparent-to-solid background color changes).
   • Stay In Column: Keep set to No for primary site headers so it does not stop scrolling when its section ends.

Troubleshooting Common Sticky Header Issues