How Z Index Works in Elementor (with CSS & Shopify Examples)
Ever designed a page in Elementor where two sections start fighting for visibility — one hides behind the other, and you’re like, “Why is my button disappearing?” Yeah, that’s where Z Index quietly walks in to save the day.
I still remember the first time this happened to me. I’d built this fancy hero section with text overlapping an image. Everything looked perfect — until I previewed it. The text was gone. Poof. I almost rebuilt the whole section before realizing… it was just a Z Index issue. Let’s make sure you never waste those two hours like I did.
🎨 What Exactly Is Z Index in Elementor?
Soch kar dekho — jab tum ek page design karte ho, Elementor un elements ko layers ki tarah arrange karta hai. Just like stacking papers on your desk — one on top of another. The Z Index simply tells the browser which paper goes on top.
In technical terms, the Z Index defines the stacking order of factors alongside the Z-index (the front–back axis). The higher the Z Index variety, the nearer that detail appears to the viewer.
👉 Example: If your photograph has a Z Index of two and your textual content has 10 — the text will appear on pinnacle.
The Default Layer Order (Without Any Z Index)
Here’s a brief reference desk displaying how elements stack obviously before you even contact the Z Index:
Element Type
Default Layer Behavior
Notes
Section
Lowest layer
Forms the base structure
Column
Above section
Holds widgets inside
Widget (e.g., text, image, button)
Above column
Visible content area
Popups or fixed headers
Top layers
Usually auto-set with high Z Index
So basically, Elementor already knows the order — until two elements start overlapping.
How to Use Z Index in Elementor (Step by Step)
Let’s say your button is hiding in the back of an photograph, and also you want to deliver it forward.
Click the element (e.g., your button).
Go to Advanced → Z Index.
Enter a higher number (e.g., 10 if the background image has 1).
Elementor updates the CSS backstage like this:
selector {
position: relative;
z-index: 10;
}
But here’s some thing maximum tutorials pass: Z Index handiest works if the detail’s role isn’t static. That approach you have to set its role to relative, absolute, or constant — otherwise, the Z Index gained’t do a component.
Real-World Example: Fixing Overlapping Elements
Imagine you’ve got a sticky header overlapping your hero image. You scroll, and all at once your logo hides behind the header.
Now the header remains on pinnacle — exactly where it ought to be. It’s that easy, however you’d be surprised what number of pros pass over this trick.
CSS Z Index in Elementor: Behind the Scenes
When you put a Z Index inner Elementor, it’s without a doubt generating CSS code like this:
However, in case your element is nested inner multiple bins, you is probably coping with some thing called a stacking context. It’s like mini worlds internal your webpage. A Z Index of 1000 inside one context might still appear behind a Z Index of 1 from another context. Weird? Totally. But that’s how CSS stacking works.
Understanding Stacking Context (Simplified)
Let me simplify this with a actual-global example.
Imagine you’ve got packing containers:
Box A = a obvious section with Z Index 50
Box B = a infant element with Z Index 9999
If Box A is about with a new stacking context (like role: relative; z-index: 50;), irrespective of how big Box B’s number is — it can’t get away its figure’s layer global.
In short:
If some thing’s no longer displaying up on top despite a large Z Index, check its figure element first.
Custom Z Index CSS Code Example
If Elementor’s default options aren’t enough, add custom CSS:
Then in Elementor → Advanced → Custom CSS (for Pro users):
selector {
z-index: 25;
}
That’s it. You can override nearly any stacking issue with custom CSS.
Shopify Z Index Example
If you design in Shopify, you’ll face similar issues — especially with pop-ups or sticky add-to-cart buttons. Sometimes, popups overlap navigation menus or product pictures. Just tweak their Z Index:
And if your button still hides? Lower the Z Index of nearby elements instead of only increasing one endlessly. It’s about balance.
Common Problems & Fixes
Problem
Possible Reason
Solution
Element not appearing on top
Position not set
Set position to relative/absolute
Element disappears after animation
Animation creates new stacking context
Check parent layers
Elementor Z Index not working
Conflicting CSS or theme override
Inspect in browser dev tools
Shopify popup hides menu
Theme default Z Index too low
Manually override with higher value
My Personal Tip (From Real Experience)
Whenever I build landing pages, I maintain a “layer map” in my mind. For instance, sections = 0–10, content = 20–50, popups = 1000+. That little habit saves hours of debugging. And trust me, once you get used to managing Z Index logically, you’ll rarely see overlapping issues again.
Z Index Best Practices (You’ll Thank Me Later)
Don’t randomly assign huge numbers (like 99999999). Keep them in a pattern.
Always check parent stacking contexts.
Use browser dev tools to inspect actual computed Z Index.
Set positioning first — Z Index second.
Use custom CSS only when absolutely necessary.
The Bottom Line
Z Index may look like a small number setting, but it decides who gets to shine on your webpage and who gets buried behind. If something overlaps weirdly in Elementor or Shopify, just bear in mind — it’s not magic, it’s math. Once you apprehend stacking contexts and positioning, you’ll never battle with “disappearing factors” again.
You also can watch our motion pictures on our YouTube channel or touch upon our Facebook web page for greater assist.
FAQs About Elementor Z Index
Q1: Why is my Elementor Z Index not operating? Because your detail’s function is static. Change it to relative or absolute.
Q2: What is the default Z Index in Elementor? Most widgets don’t have any Z Index through default; their stacking is primarily based on HTML order.
Q3: What’s the great Z Index for popups or sticky headers? Anything among a thousand–9999 normally works adequately.
Q4: Can I use terrible Z Index? Yes, but be cautious — it pushes factors behind everything, even the web page heritage now and again.