Step-by-Step Guide to Create an Elementor Sticky Header

The Elementor Sticky Header is a powerful design feature that enhances user experience by keeping the header section of your website visible at all times, even as visitors scroll down the page. Built using the intuitive Elementor page builder for WordPress, this feature works seamlessly with Responsive WordPress Themes , allowing you to fix key elements such as navigation menus, logos, or call-to-action buttons at the top of the screen. This ensures users always have access to important links, improving site usability, navigation flow, and overall engagement.

Sticky headers are especially useful for websites with long or content-heavy pages, as they reduce the need for visitors to scroll back up to navigate. With Elementor’s visual drag-and-drop interface, you can easily design and customize sticky headers by setting trigger points and responsive behavior for desktop, tablet, and mobile devices. When paired with a WP Theme Bundle , this setup becomes even more powerful, giving you access to 50+ WordPress themes, ready-to-use website templates, and demo content included for faster launches. Plus, with expert support, optional PSD files on request, and access to a premium support forum, it’s an ideal solution for bloggers, business websites, portfolios, and eCommerce platforms focused on accessibility, user experience, and higher conversions.

How to Create an Elementor Sticky Header?

In this guide, we’ll cover both methods, using Elementor Pro’s built-in settings and a custom CSS solution for Elementor Free. Let’s dive into how to set up your Elementor header step-by-step.

Method 1: Elementor Pro | Step-by-Step Sticky Header Guide

Step 1: Open Your Header Template in Elementor Pro

To begin creating an Elementor sticky header using Elementor Pro, you first need to access your header template. From your WordPress dashboard, go to Templates > Theme Builder. If you’ve already created a header, select it from the list. If not, click Add New, choose “Header” as the type, and assign a name to your new template. After that, click Create Template to launch the Elementor editor.

This template will allow you to design a universal header that appears across all or selected pages of your site. Once inside the editor, you can design your header layout with logos, menus, and call-to-action buttons using drag-and-drop widgets. Having a centralized header template is important because it ensures design consistency and saves time when making updates. Keep your layout clean and readable, as it will now become your sticky navigation bar. Once your design is ready, you’re all set to move to the next step, enabling the sticky effect.

Step 2: Select the Header Section for Sticky Settings

Now that your header template is open in Elementor Pro, the next step is to apply the sticky behavior to the correct section. Click on the header section that includes your site logo, navigation menu, or any other content you want to keep fixed at the top. This section is typically the topmost container of your header layout. With the section selected, you’ll see options on the left panel. Head over to the Advanced tab; this is where all additional layout and behavior settings are managed in Elementor. By focusing on the main section instead of individual widgets, you ensure the entire header moves as a unit when scrolling.

It’s important to make sure you select the correct section to avoid unexpected layout behavior. Keeping your structure clean at this stage helps prevent design conflicts and ensures a smoother sticky experience later. Once you’ve correctly selected your header section, you’re ready to activate the Elementor header option.

Step 3: Enable Sticky: Top in Motion Effects

To make your Elementor header sticky, navigate to the Advanced tab on the left panel while the header section is selected. Scroll down and expand the Motion Effects section. Here, you’ll see the Sticky option. Set this to “Top”, which tells Elementor to keep the header fixed to the top of the browser as visitors scroll down the page. You can also specify where the sticky behavior should apply: Desktop, Tablet, or Mobile, or all three. This gives you full control over device-specific display.

Elementor Pro makes it easy to implement this functionality. Once this is turned on, your header will “stick” at the top during scrolling, providing a consistent navigation experience. Enabling this is especially helpful for sites with long content, landing pages, or blogs. After activating this feature, preview your site to test how your Elementor sticky header behaves across devices and browsers before finalizing the design.

Step 4: Set the Z-Index to Keep the Header on Top

Once sticky behavior is enabled, the next crucial step is setting the Z-index. In web design, the Z-index controls the stack order of elements, meaning which item appears in front when elements overlap. For your Elementor sticky header to stay visible above all other content, you’ll need to set a high Z-index value. While still in the Advanced tab of the header section, scroll to the Z-index field and enter a number like 100 or higher. This ensures that when users scroll past sliders, images, or other sections, your header remains on top without being hidden. Not setting this correctly can lead to issues where your sticky header appears behind banners, popups, or hero sections. A Z-index of 100 or above is typically sufficient, but you can go higher if needed. Always preview your changes and test across various screen sizes. Proper use of Z-index is key for maintaining the visibility and functionality of your Elementor header throughout the site.

Step 5: Add Effects Like Shrink or Transition (Optional)

To make your Elementor sticky header more dynamic and visually appealing, Elementor Pro offers additional motion effect settings like shrink on scroll, fade-in, or transition effects. These are completely optional, but can greatly enhance user experience. For example, enabling “shrink on scroll” allows your header to reduce in height as the user scrolls down, creating a cleaner and less intrusive look. To apply these, go back to the Motion Effects section in the Advanced tab and explore the available animations. You can combine effects like fade and slide for a smoother entrance.

These animations help your site feel modern and responsive, especially when combined with a well-designed header layout. However, make sure these effects don’t interfere with accessibility or performance. Test the speed and usability before publishing. Adding subtle animation to your Elementor sticky header can elevate your design and make your navigation feel more intuitive, especially on professional service sites, landing pages, or eCommerce stores.

Step 6: Save Your Changes and Preview the Sticky Header

After setting up all sticky header settings in Elementor Pro, it’s time to save and preview your work. Click the Update button in the Elementor editor to apply your changes. Then, preview your site by visiting any page where the header is active. Scroll down to confirm the Elementor sticky header remains visible and functions smoothly across devices. Check interactions with page content to ensure nothing overlaps incorrectly or breaks the layout. Use browser tools or responsive mode to test how the header appears on desktop, tablet, and mobile.

If needed, return to the editor to adjust motion effects, padding, or Z-index values. It’s essential to review every element in the header, like logos, menus, or buttons, to make sure they’re not cut off or misaligned. A well-tested sticky header enhances usability and keeps your brand accessible at all times. Once satisfied, your Elementor header is ready for live visitors.

Method 2: Create Elementor Sticky Header with (Free Version) + Custom CSS

Step 1: Edit the Header Section in Elementor

To create an Elementor sticky header using the free version, start by editing the section of your page that acts as the header. From your WordPress dashboard, go to Pages and select the page where your header is located, or go to Templates > Saved Templates if you're using a header saved in the Elementor library. Open it with Edit with Elementor. Once inside, click on the header section, which typically contains your logo, navigation menu, and any call-to-action buttons. Make sure this section is clearly defined and placed at the top of your page layout. Using a dedicated section for the header helps maintain layout consistency and simplifies the process of applying sticky behavior. Before you proceed to the next step, double-check that your header design looks clean, mobile-responsive, and functional. Even without Elementor Pro, this layout can be enhanced using just a bit of CSS, giving you a sticky header that behaves like a premium feature.

Step 2: Assign a Custom CSS Class to the Header Section

Once your header section is selected in the Elementor editor, the next step is to assign it a CSS class. This class will act as a selector for your custom code, allowing the browser to apply sticky behavior to just the header section. With the section still selected, click the Advanced tab in the Elementor sidebar. Locate the field labeled CSS Classes (not CSS ID). In this field, type in: sticky-header. Don’t add a dot (.); just enter the name of the class. This identifier will later be used in your CSS code to style the header specifically. It’s best to use a unique, descriptive class name to avoid conflicts with other parts of your site. This step is critical because without a class applied, your CSS won’t know which section to target. After assigning the class, click Update to save your changes in Elementor. You’re now ready to add the custom CSS that will enable your Elementor sticky header.

Step 3: Add Custom CSS to Enable Sticky Header Behavior

With your CSS class added, it’s time to make the header sticky using custom code an easy step when learning how to customize a WordPress theme  Go to your WordPress dashboard and navigate to Appearance > Customize, then open the Additional CSS section.

This CSS snippet does all the work. The position: sticky property makes the header stay fixed while scrolling, top: 0 keeps it at the very top of the page, and z-index: 999 ensures it appears above all other content. Adding a background-color: #ffffff prevents the header from becoming transparent while scrolling, though you can change the color to match your site’s design. Once finished, click Publish to save your changes.

This method works on most modern browsers and gives you a fully functional Elementor sticky header without upgrading to Pro simple, fast, and effective.

Step 4: Preview and Test Your Sticky Header

After adding the custom CSS, it’s time to test your Elementor sticky header to ensure everything is working properly. Visit the page where your sticky header was applied and begin scrolling. You should see the header remain fixed to the top of the screen, creating a seamless navigation experience for your visitors. It’s important to test across different devices, desktop, tablet, and mobile, to confirm that the layout looks good and functions correctly. If your header appears behind other content or doesn't stay in place, revisit the Z-index value and increase it as needed. Also, verify that you’ve used the correct class name (sticky-header) and that the section is structured properly.

If issues persist, try refreshing the browser cache or using an incognito window. Once everything looks good, your free sticky header is ready to go live. This solution is lightweight, flexible, and ideal for users who want premium-like features without the cost.

Conclusion

Whether you’re using Elementor Pro or the free version, creating an Elementor sticky header can significantly enhance your site’s navigation and usability. Sticky headers keep your branding and menu visible, which helps with engagement and can even improve conversion rates on e-commerce or service sites.

If you have Elementor Pro, the built-in Motion Effects offer precise control and smooth interactions, allowing you to fine-tune animations and scrolling behavior. Free users can achieve a similar result with a lightweight custom CSS snippet. This approach works especially well when your site is built on Responsive WordPress Themes , as it ensures the sticky header adapts smoothly to different screen sizes just remember to use a high z-index, test mobile responsiveness, and maintain visual consistency.

Sticky headers are especially useful on long-scroll pages like blogs, landing pages, and product listings. Now that you know how to set one up, take the time to customize your header for better visibility, style, and performance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How do I create a sticky header in Elementor?

You can create a sticky header using Elementor Pro by enabling the Sticky option under the Advanced settings of a header section and choosing where it should stick.

2. Do I need Elementor Pro for a sticky header?

Yes, Elementor Pro is required to create a sticky header natively. However, some third-party plugins offer sticky header functionality for the free version.

3. Can I hide the sticky header on scroll?

Yes, Elementor offers a “Hide on Scroll” option that hides the header when scrolling down and shows it again when scrolling up.

4. How do I change the logo size on sticky scroll in Elementor?

You can use Elementor’s scroll effects or custom CSS to resize the logo when the header switches to sticky mode.

5. How do I remove space caused by a sticky header?

Enable the “Hide Header on Scroll” or adjust margins and padding to prevent layout gaps when the header becomes sticky.