← Back toHTML DOM

Check if an element is visible in a scrollable container

Written byPhuoc Nguyen
Category
Level 2 — Intermediate
Created
02 May, 2020
The following functions return `true` if the `ele` element is visible in its scrollable container:
const isVisible = function (ele, container) {
const eleTop = ele.offsetTop;
const eleBottom = eleTop + ele.clientHeight;

const containerTop = container.scrollTop;
const containerBottom = containerTop + container.clientHeight;

// The element is fully visible in the container
return (
(eleTop >= containerTop && eleBottom <= containerBottom) ||
// Some part of the element is visible in the container
(eleTop < containerTop && containerTop < eleBottom) ||
(eleTop < containerBottom && containerBottom < eleBottom)
);
};
We also can perform the check based on the bounding rectangles of both element and container:
const isVisible = function (ele, container) {
const { bottom, height, top } = ele.getBoundingClientRect();
const containerRect = container.getBoundingClientRect();

return top <= containerRect.top ? containerRect.top - top <= height : bottom - containerRect.bottom <= height;
};

See also

Questions? 🙋

Do you have any questions? Not just about this specific post, but about any topic in front-end development that you'd like to learn more about? If so, feel free to send me a message on Twitter or send me an email. You can find them at the bottom of this page.
I have a long list of upcoming posts, but your questions or ideas for the next one will be my top priority. Let's learn together! Sharing knowledge is the best way to grow 🥷.

Recent posts ⚡

Newsletter 🔔

If you're into front-end technologies and you want to see more of the content I'm creating, then you might want to consider subscribing to my newsletter.
By subscribing, you'll be the first to know about new articles, products, and exclusive promotions.
Don't worry, I won't spam you. And if you ever change your mind, you can unsubscribe at any time.
Phước Nguyễn