10 Best Momentum Scrolling Libraries In JavaScript (2023 Update)
What Is Momentum Scrolling?
Momentum scrolling (also called Inertial scrolling) is an interaction technique that applies acceleration to an element (a page, image, div, etc.) so it scrolls by quickly. This user interface pattern was introduced by Apple in iOS 6 in Safari Mobile has also recently been added to the latest version of Google Chrome for Android.
It is a scrolling technique dependent on the inertia of a fingertip or mouse wheel, moving back and forth to scroll at speeds that seem contextually consistent or natural. When scrolling ends, momentum scrolling will continue until it stops naturally.
The Best Momentum Scrolling Libraries
Originally Published Nov 25 2021, updated May 29 2023
This article will explore how to use the momentum scrolling effect, listing the best 10 momentum scrolling libraries that can help you improve the scroll experience on your site - just like swiping on iOS and Android.
Best jQuery Momentum Scrolling Plugins:
Smooth Momentum Scrolling Effect with jQuery - Momentum Scroll
A super tiny (~2kb) jQuery plugin that uses jQuery easing and CSS3 transitions / transforms to implement mobile style very smooth inertial / momentum scrolling effect on your webpage.
Lightweight Kinetic Scrolling / Parallax Plugin With jQuery - inertiaScroll
A very small (4kb, unminfied) jQuery plugin which enables a "momentum" style scrolling experience (aka. Kinetic Scrolling & InertiaScroll ) on the native browser scroll and adds configurable parallax scrolling effects on individual elements using HTML data attributes.
Configurable Smooth Scrolling Plugin With jQuery - Scroll With Ease
Scroll With Ease is a jQuery plugin that provides configurable smooth scrolling experience for your webpages, with support for mousewheel, touchpad or keyboard.
Lightweight Kinetic/Momentum Scroll Plugin - jQuery Kinetic
A small and configurable jQuery plugin which provides a smooth kinetic/momentum scrolling effect as you move a scrollable element with mouse drag or touch swipe.
jQuery Plugin For Adding Momentum Scrolling To Web Content - scrollEasing
An extremely lightweight ( less then 1kb) jQuery plugin that uses CSS3 2D transforms to add iOS-like smooth momentum scrolling (inertial scrolling) effect to web content on desktop.
Vanilla JS Momentum Scrolling Plugins:
Create Smooth Momentum Scrolling Effects – Butter.js
A plain JavaScript library that applies a smooth momentum scrolling (also called inertial rolling) to any scrollable elements on the web.
Easy Momentum Scrolling Library For Vanilla JS & Svelte – Kinetic Scroll
A tiny JavaScript library that allows you to implement fluid, momentum scrolling effects for scrollable containers (typically a long list). Supports both mousehweel events and touch gestures.
Smooth Inertial & Parallax Scroll Effects In JavaScript – luxy.js
A lightweight JavaScript plugin which applies smooth inertial scroll and parallax scroll effects to your webpage.
Momentum Scrolling Effect For Mouse Wheel – magic-scroll
A vanilla JavaScript library that applies a momentum scrolling effect to the webpage when scrolling down/up with mouse wheel.
Momentum Scrolling In Vanilla JavaScript – SmoothScroll.js
A Vanilla JavaScript plugin that applies the momentum scrolling experience to web content. Make your webpage’s scrolling behavior like a native mobile app.
Conclusion:
Momentum scrolling is a newer trend in web design. Instead of the typical linear scroll you might be used to, momentum scrolling makes the page feel like it's not just moving but that there's some inertia behind it. It's this inertia that provides its "glide-like" motion.
Looking for more jQuery plugins or JavaScript libraries to implement Momentum Scrolling on the web & mobile? See jQuery Momentum Scrolling Plugin and JavaScript Momentum Scrolling sections.
See Also:
- 10 Best Smooth Scroll JavaScript/jQuery Plugins
- Top 10 Smooth Scroll JavaScript Libraries
- 10 Best Mobile-friendly One Page Scroll Plugins
- 10 Best Scrollspy Plugins In JavaScript
