“Above the fold” refers to the top portion of a web page—the content visible without scrolling. This is the first thing users see, and it’s a critical area to get right.
Typically, this section is about 600 pixels high on a desktop, though that can vary. Any content that requires scrolling is considered “below the fold.”
You Still Have to Win Above the Fold
Newspaper editors always placed the most compelling headlines and stories “above the fold” to grab attention and sell more papers.
Marketers today have the same responsibility online. You must capture user interest instantly—within seconds—to keep them engaged with your site.
But instead of competing with a few newspapers, your site is now battling millions of websites for that first impression.
If users don’t immediately find something relevant or interesting, they’ll bounce. That’s why nailing your above-the-fold content is essential.
Think of it as your digital storefront. If the window display doesn’t pull people in, they’ll move on to the next option.
The Exact Above the Fold Area Changes By Device
While 600 pixels high is a good rule of thumb for desktops, the actual area visible “above the fold” depends on the device being used.
Desktops, tablets, and smartphones all have different screen sizes and resolutions, which dramatically affect how much content is visible without scrolling.
What fits above the fold on a laptop might require swiping down on a smartphone. And each device brings a different user experience with it.
Display resolution—measured in pixels like 1920×1080—determines how much can be seen. That varies widely across devices, even within the same category.
For example, a Samsung Galaxy S23 has a 1080 x 2340 resolution, while the iPhone 14 Pro Max clocks in at 1290 x 2796.
Different pixel densities and aspect ratios also influence what users actually see above the fold.
The bottom line: there is no one-size-fits-all “above the fold” zone. Your design must adapt across screens.
So how do you ensure your most important content is seen across all devices?
How to Control Above the Fold Despite Different Device Resolutions
To give all users a great above-the-fold experience, you need to design for multiple resolutions—not just one.
We use CSS media queries to apply specific design rules based on screen size. You can view these rules by inspecting our website’s code:
The example above shows two breakpoints—544 pixels and 921 pixels—that trigger different layouts based on the screen size.
Technically, you could set up unique styles for every device out there. But in practice, developers choose a few “breakpoints” that cover a wide range of devices.
Breakpoints like 544px and 921px target most smartphones and tablets, offering a responsive experience that feels native on any device.
On desktop, you might see a full navigation bar, a CTA to sign up for our newsletter, and several featured articles—all visible above the fold.
On a mobile phone, the above-the-fold layout is cleaner: a hamburger menu, our newsletter CTA, and a single featured article.
Simply shrinking the desktop version for mobile would overwhelm the screen with tiny text and too many options.
Instead, our responsive design using CSS breakpoints creates an intuitive experience no matter what device you’re on.
Want to dig deeper? Check out our guide on making your website mobile-friendly.
How to Preview What’s Above the Fold on Your Site (Any Device)
Curious what your above-the-fold content looks like on different devices? It takes seconds to preview it from your desktop.
We’ll walk through the steps using Google Chrome, but this also works in browsers like Safari and Firefox.
Step 1: Inspect Page
Open your website in Chrome. Right-click anywhere on the page and select Inspect.
Step 2: Toggle on Device Toolbar
Once the inspection pane opens, click the device icon in the upper-left corner of the new window to enable the Device Toolbar.
This toolbar lets you simulate how your website looks on different screen sizes.
Step 3: Select Device Dimensions
Use the dropdown menu at the top of the page to pick the device you want to preview. Chrome includes presets like iPhone, Pixel, iPad, and more.
By default, the tool is set to “Responsive,” which adjusts based on your browser window size. But you can manually choose a specific device from the dropdown.
Here, we’ve selected “Pixel 5” to preview how the site will appear on that phone:
Notice how the navigation condenses into a hamburger menu and a prominent “Call Us” CTA appears—everything fits neatly above the fold for mobile users.
On smartphones, the above-the-fold area often spans the full screen height. This can exceed 600 pixels depending on the device.
For example, Chrome’s preview tells us a Pixel 5 has a 393 x 851 display, meaning nearly everything you see will load above the fold.
Let’s compare this to a real-world screenshot.
Here’s how the same site looks on a physical Pixel 7 (a slightly newer model):
Aside from a small overlap at the bottom due to the browser UI, the preview matches almost exactly. This confirms that Chrome’s inspect tool gives you a realistic view of what users see.
Can’t find the device you need?
Click “Edit” in the dimension dropdown to add more devices or create a custom profile. This lets you simulate virtually any screen size.
Tactics For Above the Fold Website Content (With Examples)
If you’re trying to improve your site, start with the above-the-fold section. It’s your highest-leverage area for engagement and conversion.
Let’s look at real-world examples of effective above-the-fold content strategies—some are solid, and others are outstanding.
Focus Everything On The Headline
Your headline should be the most visible element above the fold. It’s your elevator pitch—make it count.
You don’t have to be witty or clever. Just speak clearly to the user’s intent and deliver a direct value proposition.
Short headlines with minimal supporting text can work incredibly well.
Take Notion, for example. Its homepage headline reads:
“Your wiki, docs, & projects. Together.”
In just six words, it explains the core value of the product. The style and tone make it clear that this isn’t your average corporate tool—it’s modern, sleek, and user-friendly.
Below the headline are two brief sentences and a call-to-action to “Get Notion free.”
It’s a masterclass in clarity and brevity. Even on small screens, the entire message lands without scrolling.
We also like how Notion subtly teases the interface, encouraging users to scroll without overwhelming them with visual clutter.
Longer headlines can work too—if they speak directly to the user’s aspirations.
Here’s an example from Substack that hits the mark:
“Do your best work, supported by your subscribers.”
This message speaks directly to writers, creatives, and aspiring entrepreneurs. It’s motivating and hints at the promise of financial independence through content creation.
The CTA—“Create your Substack”—is simple, empowering, and action-oriented.
We’ve seen headlines alone increase conversions by up to 30%. No redesign or fancy tools needed—just better messaging.
Avoid distracting designs
This example from Wix shows how effective ultra-minimalist design can be. No flashy animations, no distractions—just a clean message and a clear CTA.
Wix, a leader in website creation, could use cutting-edge visuals if it wanted. But it chooses simplicity because it works.
By funneling attention to the headline and the CTA button, Wix improves focus and reduces friction—two major keys to high conversions.
“Cool” features like background videos or hover animations may look great, but they often reduce clarity. A great headline can get lost in the noise.
Take Toast’s homepage, for example. Their looping GIF animation grabs attention—but not in a good way.
It pulls your eyes away from the headline over and over, without adding any meaningful context. It’s distracting instead of helpful.
Use visual elements intentionally. If they don’t directly support your main message, leave them out—especially above the fold.
Provide Focus With the Navigation Menu
A cluttered navigation menu is one of the biggest killers of above-the-fold clarity. Less is more.
Cloudflare nails this balance. Despite offering dozens of products, they’ve grouped everything into six intuitive categories like “Solutions,” “Products,” and “Pricing.”
This structure keeps the experience approachable—even for visitors who are completely new to the brand.
They also use clever CTA menu items that align with their brand message:
For example, the “Under Attack?” button is more than a CTA—it conveys urgency and positions Cloudflare as a dependable solution in a crisis.
And the prominent phone number shows that real people are available to help. It’s a simple touch, but incredibly effective at building trust.
Good navigation supports the headline and CTA. It doesn’t overwhelm the screen—it helps users move toward your goals.
Provide Value Immediately
Certain page types—like blog posts and landing pages—should deliver value right away, ideally above the fold.
Don’t delay the answer. Don’t make people scroll endlessly to find what they’re looking for. Serve it up immediately.
This builds trust, keeps bounce rates low, and gives users a reason to stay and scroll.
Avoid the trap of bloated intros or irrelevant fluff—this isn’t a recipe blog. Get to the point.
When users find value fast, they’re far more likely to engage with the rest of your content.
Take Investopedia as an example. It’s a go-to source for complex topics like finance, taxes, and investing.
Here’s a look at an above-the-fold section that immediately adds value:
The headline promises a complete breakdown of the U.S. tax code, and the explanation starts immediately. No delay. No filler.
A table of contents appears on the left, giving users an instant roadmap of what to expect and where to go next.
Sure, the page isn’t flashy. It has ads, and the visuals are plain. But it delivers real value fast—which is why people stay.
The takeaway: Don’t prioritize clever design over clear value. Give users what they came for—right from the start.
Don’t Overthink Above the Fold
It’s easy to overanalyze your above-the-fold strategy. But most “cool” ideas don’t actually move the needle.
We’ve run thousands of A/B tests and learned that minor design tweaks rarely outperform clear, focused messaging.
Take this test, for example. We ran two versions of a homepage: one was our control, and the other used new design elements, more color, and additional imagery.
The result? A tiny 0.11% difference in conversion rate: 27.3% vs. 27.19%.
Despite major visual changes, performance stayed the same. Why? Because the headline and copy were identical in both versions.
This proves that content—not design—is the most powerful tool in your above-the-fold strategy.
We’re not saying design doesn’t matter. But if you get the headline and message right, you’re already 90% of the way there.
The goal is clarity and relevance—not decoration.