CSS scroll-padding-right Property

Beginner
5 min read
Updated: Oct 2026
3 examples
Live preview
CSS scroll-padding-right insetting the scrollport at the physical right edge
Definition

Definition and Usage

The scroll-padding-right property insets the scrollport at the physical right edge. Snap and scroll targets stop inside that inset instead of flush against the right.

It is a longhand of scroll-padding. For a logical alternative that follows writing mode and direction, use scroll-padding-inline-end. It is not inherited.

Baseline Widely available.

Not deprecated. Physical longhand for the right scrollport inset. Widely available since April 2021 (Safari 14.1+). Works on any scroll container, with or without snap. Safari 11–14 had partial support.

Syntax

CSS Syntax

syntax.css
scroll-padding-right: auto | <length-percentage> | initial | inherit;

Percentages are relative to the scrollport width.

Values

Property Values

ValueDescriptionTry it
autoDefault. Browser chooses (usually 0px)Try it
<length>Fixed inset such as 48px or 3remTry it
<percentage>Percent of the scrollport widthTry it
initialResets to autoTry it
inheritTakes the parent’s scroll-padding-rightTry it
Approach

How to Use scroll-padding-right

Set it on the scroll container when content should clear the right edge.

  1. Create a horizontal scroll container (overflow-x: auto).
  2. Optionally snap with scroll-snap-type: x and scroll-snap-align: end.
  3. Set scroll-padding-right to match right chrome or breathing room.
  4. Scroll — end-aligned targets stop before the inset.
PieceRequired?Role
Scroll containerYesWhere the property is declared
scroll-padding-rightYesInsets the physical right of the scrollport
scroll-snap-align: endHelpfulMakes the right inset easy to see in LTR
Right chrome / gutterCommonMatch the inset to fixed trailing UI
Try it

Live Preview

Scroll sideways. Panels snap to the end. Change the right inset and watch the gap on the right.

The amber band marks the physical right inset.

Scroll box
1
2
3

scroll-padding-right: 48px — end snap stops before the right band

Code

CSS Examples

Each snippet focuses on scroll-padding-right. Use Try It Yourself for a live editor.

Example 1 — Length Inset at the Right

Reserve space at the right so snapped panels clear a trailing band.

CSS
<style>
  .scroller {
    width: 260px;
    overflow-x: auto;
    display: flex;
    scroll-snap-type: x mandatory;
    scroll-padding-right: 48px;
  }

  .panel {
    flex: 0 0 240px;
    scroll-snap-align: end;
  }
</style>

<div class="scroller">
  <div class="panel">1</div>
  <div class="panel">2</div>
  <div class="panel">3</div>
</div>
Try It Yourself

How It Works

  1. Create a horizontal scroller. Overflow defines the scrollport.
  2. Snap horizontally. x mandatory locks panels on the x-axis.
  3. Align to the end. In LTR, scroll-snap-align: end aims at the right edge.
  4. Inset that edge. 48px keeps snapped panels before the right band.

Example 2 — Percentage of the Scrollport

Size the right inset relative to the scroller width.

CSS
<style>
  .scroller {
    width: 260px;
    overflow-x: auto;
    display: flex;
    scroll-snap-type: x mandatory;
    scroll-padding-right: 20%;
  }

  .panel {
    flex: 0 0 240px;
    scroll-snap-align: end;
  }
</style>

<div class="scroller">
  <div class="panel">1</div>
  <div class="panel">2</div>
  <div class="panel">3</div>
</div>
Try It Yourself

How It Works

  1. Use a percentage. 20% is relative to the scrollport width.
  2. Scales with the box. Wider scrollers get a larger right inset.
  3. Always physical. Unlike scroll-padding-inline-end, this stays on the right in every writing mode.
  4. Prefer lengths for fixed chrome. Match pixel UI with px or rem.

Example 3 — Auto (Default)

With auto, the browser usually applies no extra right inset.

CSS
<style>
  .scroller {
    width: 260px;
    overflow-x: auto;
    display: flex;
    scroll-snap-type: x mandatory;
    scroll-padding-right: auto;
  }

  .panel {
    flex: 0 0 240px;
    scroll-snap-align: end;
  }
</style>

<div class="scroller">
  <div class="panel">1</div>
  <div class="panel">2</div>
  <div class="panel">3</div>
</div>
Try It Yourself

How It Works

  1. Initial value. Omitting the property is the same as auto.
  2. Usually zero. End-aligned panels snap flush to the right edge.
  3. UA freedom. A browser may pick a non-zero offset when it helps readability.
  4. Override when needed. Set a length or percentage for predictable right clearance.

Edge Cases & Pitfalls

Right insets are easy to miss if panels snap to the left edge.

align

Use end snap to see the effect

With scroll-snap-align: start, a right inset may look unused in LTR. Prefer end (or scroll to the last panel) when testing.

physical

Always the right, never logical

In RTL or vertical writing-mode, the inline-end edge moves. Prefer scroll-padding-inline-end when flow can change.

target

Set it on the scroller

Targets use scroll-margin-right. The container uses scroll-padding-right.

layout

It is not padding-right

Layout does not shift. Only scroll and snap aiming change inside the scrollport.

Compatibility

Browser Support

scroll-padding-right is a browser CSS property. Node.js, Deno, and Bun do not apply it.

✓ Baseline · Widely available since Apr 2021

scroll-padding-right

Chrome 69+, Edge 79+, Firefox 68+, Safari 14.1+, Opera 56+, Samsung Internet 10.1+. Safari 11–14 had partial support. Internet Explorer has no support.

97% Global reach
Google Chrome 69+
Full support
Mozilla Firefox 68+
Full support
Apple Safari 14.1+
Full support
Microsoft Edge 79+
Full support
Opera 56+
Full support
Samsung Internet 10.1+
Full support
Internet Explorer No support
Not supported
scroll-padding-right Widely supported

Bottom line: Safe for modern sites. Prefer scroll-padding-inline-end when writing-mode or direction may change. Not a server runtime API.

Remember

Key Takeaways

  • Role: inset the scrollport at the physical right only.
  • Values: auto, length, or percentage.
  • Initial value: auto. Not inherited.
  • Tip: pair with scroll-snap-align: end in LTR to see the right inset clearly.

One line: scroll-padding-right reserves space at the physical right of the scrollport.

Frequently Asked Questions

It insets the scrollport at the physical right edge. Snap and scroll targets stop before that inset instead of flush against the right.
The initial value is auto. Browsers usually treat that like 0px unless they choose another offset.
scroll-padding-right is always the physical right. scroll-padding-inline-end follows the inline flow, so it adapts with writing-mode and direction.
scroll-padding is the shorthand for all four sides. This longhand sets only the right.
Use it for fixed right chrome, trailing gutters, or extra space when panels snap to the right edge of a scroller.
It is Baseline and widely available since April 2021: Chrome 69+, Edge 79+, Firefox 68+, Safari 14.1+, Opera 56+. Safari 11–14 had partial support. Internet Explorer does not support it. It is a browser CSS property, not a Node.js feature.

Next: scroll-padding-top

Learn the physical longhand for the top scrollport inset.

scroll-padding-top tutorial →

About the author

Mari Selvan M P
Mari Selvan M P 🔗

Developer, cloud engineer, and technical writer

  • Experience 12 years building web and cloud systems
  • Focus Full Stack Development, AWS, and Developer Education

I write practical tutorials so students and working developers can learn by doing—from databases and APIs to deployment on AWS.

AWS Certified Developer – Associate (Credly)

5 people found this page helpful

CSS scroll-padding-left Property CSS scroll-padding-top Property