What is DOM reflow?

HtmlCssDomVisibilityReflow

Html Problem Overview


I was reading about the difference between two CSS properties display:none and visibility:hidden and encountered the DOM reflow term.

The statement was > display: none causes a DOM reflow whereas visibility: hidden does not.

So my question is:

What is DOM reflow and how does it work?

Html Solutions


Solution 1 - Html

> A reflow computes the layout of the page. A reflow on an element recomputes the dimensions and position of the element, and it also triggers further reflows on that element’s children, ancestors and elements that appear after it in the DOM. Then it calls a final repaint. Reflowing is very expensive, but unfortunately it can be triggered easily. > > Reflow occurs when you:

> - insert, remove or update an element in the DOM

  • modify content on the page, e.g. the text in an input box
  • move a DOM element
  • animate a DOM element
  • take measurements of an element such as offsetHeight or getComputedStyle
  • change a CSS style
  • change the className of an element
  • add or remove a stylesheet
  • resize the window
  • scroll

For more information, please refer here: Repaints and Reflows: Manipulating the DOM responsibly

Solution 2 - Html

> Reflow is the name of the web browser process for re-calculating the > positions and geometries of elements in the document, for the purpose > of re-rendering part or all of the document.

https://developers.google.com/speed/articles/reflow

display:none hide the div as if the div is not rendered whereas visibility:hidden only hides but the space is still occupied

Solution 3 - Html

It means, that if you will set display: none;, your browser will recalculate positions of DOM elements, if visibility: hidden; - not. Think, it because visibility: hidden; does not change element sizes in DOM.

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Content TypeOriginal AuthorOriginal Content on Stackoverflow
QuestionSuresh KariaView Question on Stackoverflow
Solution 1 - HtmlKarlen KishmiryanView Answer on Stackoverflow
Solution 2 - HtmlVitorino fernandesView Answer on Stackoverflow
Solution 3 - HtmldegrView Answer on Stackoverflow