According to recent research by Google's Web Performance Team, smooth scrolling can improve user engagement by up to 35%. But what makes scroll behavior truly smooth?
Let's dive into the data:
• Browser paint times decrease by 40% when using passive scroll listeners
• IntersectionObserver reduces scroll jank by preventing unnecessary calculations
• Virtual scrolling can handle 10,000+ items with consistent 60fps
The key is understanding the browser's rendering pipeline. When implemented correctly, smooth scrolling feels like butter - but get it wrong, and users notice immediately.
Pro tip: Always debounce scroll events. A 150ms delay is the sweet spot between responsiveness and performance.