z-index not working for fixed element

Question

I was working on my code when I stumbled upon this fun fact:

z-index doesn't work for a fixed element and, therefore, fixed elements will always be in front.

Is there a way to place a non-fixed element in front of a fixed element?

Thanks.

 #fixed { background-color: red; width: 500px; height: 500px; position: fixed; z-index: 0; } #normal { background-color: blue; width: 500px; height: 500px; z-index: 1; } 

 <div id = 'fixed'> I'm Fixed </div> <div id = 'normal'> I'm Normal </div> 

Answer 1

Unless you're dealing with flex items or grid items, an element must be positioned for z-index to work. ¹

In other words, the position property must have a value other than static or z-index will be ignored. ²

Your second div is not positioned. Here are two options:

• add position: relative to #normal , or
• give the positioned div a negative z-index value

 #fixed { background-color: red; width: 500px; height: 500px; position: fixed; z-index: 0; /* a negative value here will also work */ } #normal { background-color: lightblue; width: 500px; height: 500px; z-index: 1; position: relative; /* new */ } 

 <div id = 'fixed'> I'm Fixed </div> <div id = 'normal'> I'm Normal </div> 

See also: Basics of the CSS z-index property

---

¹ Although z-index , as defined in CSS 2.1 , applies only to positioned elements, CSS 3 allows z-index to work with grid items and flex items , even when position is static .

² z-index property page at MDN

Answer 2

Use negative z-index for the fixed element.

<div id = 'fixed'> I'm Fixed </div>
<div id = 'normal'> I'm Normal </div>

#fixed {
background-color: red;
width: 500px;
height: 500px;
position: fixed;
z-index: -1;
}
#normal {
background-color: blue;
width: 500px;
height: 500px;
z-index: 1;
}

Answer 3

 #fixed { background-color: red; width: 500px; height: 500px; position: fixed; z-index: 0; } #normal { background-color: blue; width: 500px; height: 500px; z-index: 1; position:relative; } 

 <div id = 'fixed'> I'm Fixed </div> <div id = 'normal'> I'm Normal </div> 

 #fixed { background-color: red; width: 500px; height: 500px; position: fixed; z-index: 0; } #normal { background-color: blue; width: 500px; height: 500px; z-index: 1; position:relative; } 

 <div id = 'fixed'> I'm Fixed </div> <div id = 'normal'> I'm Normal </div>