What is the difference between position sticky and fixed?
PICTURE THIS: RAG CHATBOT
Simple meaning
Fixed is relative to the viewport and stays put even when you scroll the page.
WHY — CSS instead of guessing?
Why interviewers care about CSS:
contrast on CSS, not two memorised paragraphs.
the developer, then one case where picking wrong hurts.
Name the idea, why it exists, then one short example.
End with when you use it and one common pitfall.
STEPS — What happens step by step?
Before you speak the answer, walk the interviewer through these steps:
- 1Fixed is relative to
the viewport and stays put even when you scroll the page.
- 2Sticky is relative to
its nearest scroll ancestor and only sticks within its containing block.
- 3Overflow hidden on a
parent is the usual reason sticky fails.
- 4Give an example
One tiny concrete case you can say aloud.
- 5Common mistake
What juniors usually get wrong.
- 6Close
When you pick this over the alternative.
EXAMPLE — See it in action
Here's a short line you can speak, broken into clear beats:
Note: Adapt this scaffold to your own project — keep it under 60–90 seconds.
Key takeaway
Fixed is relative to the viewport and stays put even when you scroll the page. Sticky is relative to its nearest scroll ancestor and only sticks within its containing block.