Staggered Multi-Column Grid Reveal
A gallery that cascades in as you scroll — and the one demo that teaches the most important rule of scroll-driven animation: animation-delay does nothing, because there is no clock. The stagger comes from offsetting each tile's animation-range with calc() and an --i index, so the cascade is tied to scroll position rather than to time.
Published
The code
<section class="rv-06" tabindex="0" role="region" aria-label="Staggered gallery reveal demo">
<p class="rv-06__hint">scroll inside to cascade the gallery <span aria-hidden="true">↓</span></p>
<ul class="rv-06__grid">
<li style="--i:0"><img src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1441974231531-c6227db76b6e?auto=format&fit=crop&w=600&q=68" alt="Sunlight through green forest leaves" width="600" height="800" loading="lazy" decoding="async"></li>
<li style="--i:1"><img src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1465146344425-f00d5f5c8f07?auto=format&fit=crop&w=600&q=68" alt="Pink flowers in soft focus" width="600" height="800" loading="lazy" decoding="async"></li>
<li style="--i:2"><img src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1493246507139-91e8fad9978e?auto=format&fit=crop&w=600&q=68" alt="Calm lake between mountains" width="600" height="800" loading="lazy" decoding="async"></li>
<li style="--i:3"><img src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1519681393784-d120267933ba?auto=format&fit=crop&w=600&q=68" alt="Snowy mountain ridge under a night sky" width="600" height="600" loading="lazy" decoding="async"></li>
<li style="--i:4"><img src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1506905925346-21bda4d32df4?auto=format&fit=crop&w=600&q=68" alt="Mountain range above low clouds" width="600" height="600" loading="lazy" decoding="async"></li>
<li style="--i:5"><img src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1449824913935-59a10b8d2000?auto=format&fit=crop&w=600&q=68" alt="City street grid photographed from above" width="600" height="600" loading="lazy" decoding="async"></li>
</ul>
<p class="rv-06__note">stagger via animation-range offsets — delay has no meaning here</p>
<div class="rv-06__uc">
<p class="rv-06__uclabel"><b>real-world use case</b> editorial blog · photo essay</p>
<div class="shell pad">
<div class="col intro">
<p class="eyebrow">Field notes · 12 min read</p>
<h4>Six mornings above the treeline</h4>
<p class="body">Photographs from a week spent walking the ridge before sunrise, when the valley is still holding last night's weather.</p>
</div>
<ul class="rv-06__grid essay">
<li style="--i:0"><img src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1465146344425-f00d5f5c8f07?auto=format&fit=crop&w=500&q=65" alt="Pink flowers in soft focus" width="500" height="667" loading="lazy" decoding="async"></li>
<li style="--i:1"><img src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1493246507139-91e8fad9978e?auto=format&fit=crop&w=500&q=65" alt="Calm lake between mountains" width="500" height="667" loading="lazy" decoding="async"></li>
<li style="--i:2"><img src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1506905925346-21bda4d32df4?auto=format&fit=crop&w=500&q=65" alt="Mountain range above low clouds" width="500" height="667" loading="lazy" decoding="async"></li>
<li style="--i:3"><img src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1519681393784-d120267933ba?auto=format&fit=crop&w=500&q=65" alt="Snowy mountain ridge under a night sky" width="500" height="667" loading="lazy" decoding="async"></li>
</ul>
<p class="credit">Ridge line, 05:40 — Fujifilm X-T5, 35mm</p>
</div>
<p class="why">Alternating margin-top plus a 7% range step gives a masonry cascade that scrubs both ways — no library, no delay ladder.</p>
</div>
</section><section class="rv-06" tabindex="0" role="region" aria-label="Staggered gallery reveal demo">
<p class="rv-06__hint">scroll inside to cascade the gallery <span aria-hidden="true">↓</span></p>
<ul class="rv-06__grid">
<li style="--i:0"><img src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1441974231531-c6227db76b6e?auto=format&fit=crop&w=600&q=68" alt="Sunlight through green forest leaves" width="600" height="800" loading="lazy" decoding="async"></li>
<li style="--i:1"><img src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1465146344425-f00d5f5c8f07?auto=format&fit=crop&w=600&q=68" alt="Pink flowers in soft focus" width="600" height="800" loading="lazy" decoding="async"></li>
<li style="--i:2"><img src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1493246507139-91e8fad9978e?auto=format&fit=crop&w=600&q=68" alt="Calm lake between mountains" width="600" height="800" loading="lazy" decoding="async"></li>
<li style="--i:3"><img src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1519681393784-d120267933ba?auto=format&fit=crop&w=600&q=68" alt="Snowy mountain ridge under a night sky" width="600" height="600" loading="lazy" decoding="async"></li>
<li style="--i:4"><img src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1506905925346-21bda4d32df4?auto=format&fit=crop&w=600&q=68" alt="Mountain range above low clouds" width="600" height="600" loading="lazy" decoding="async"></li>
<li style="--i:5"><img src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1449824913935-59a10b8d2000?auto=format&fit=crop&w=600&q=68" alt="City street grid photographed from above" width="600" height="600" loading="lazy" decoding="async"></li>
</ul>
<p class="rv-06__note">stagger via animation-range offsets — delay has no meaning here</p>
<div class="rv-06__uc">
<p class="rv-06__uclabel"><b>real-world use case</b> editorial blog · photo essay</p>
<div class="shell pad">
<div class="col intro">
<p class="eyebrow">Field notes · 12 min read</p>
<h4>Six mornings above the treeline</h4>
<p class="body">Photographs from a week spent walking the ridge before sunrise, when the valley is still holding last night's weather.</p>
</div>
<ul class="rv-06__grid essay">
<li style="--i:0"><img src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1465146344425-f00d5f5c8f07?auto=format&fit=crop&w=500&q=65" alt="Pink flowers in soft focus" width="500" height="667" loading="lazy" decoding="async"></li>
<li style="--i:1"><img src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1493246507139-91e8fad9978e?auto=format&fit=crop&w=500&q=65" alt="Calm lake between mountains" width="500" height="667" loading="lazy" decoding="async"></li>
<li style="--i:2"><img src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1506905925346-21bda4d32df4?auto=format&fit=crop&w=500&q=65" alt="Mountain range above low clouds" width="500" height="667" loading="lazy" decoding="async"></li>
<li style="--i:3"><img src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1519681393784-d120267933ba?auto=format&fit=crop&w=500&q=65" alt="Snowy mountain ridge under a night sky" width="500" height="667" loading="lazy" decoding="async"></li>
</ul>
<p class="credit">Ridge line, 05:40 — Fujifilm X-T5, 35mm</p>
</div>
<p class="why">Alternating margin-top plus a 7% range step gives a masonry cascade that scrubs both ways — no library, no delay ladder.</p>
</div>
</section>.rv-06 {
--accent: oklch(0.88 0.19 118);
--stage: 100vh;
--step: 8%;
font-family: system-ui,'Segoe UI',sans-serif;
height: var(--stage);
overflow-y: auto;
overflow-x: hidden;
padding: 0 20px;
border-radius: 16px;
border: 1px solid oklch(1 0 0/.1);
background: linear-gradient(oklch(0.16 0.01 260),oklch(0.19 0.012 260));
}
.rv-06 * {
box-sizing: border-box;
}
.rv-06__hint {
position: sticky;
top: 150px;
margin: 0;
height: 0;
text-align: center;
font: 400 11.5px/1 ui-monospace,monospace;
letter-spacing: .06em;
color: oklch(1 0 0/.45);
}
.rv-06__grid {
display: grid;
grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fit,minmax(120px,1fr));
gap: 12px;
list-style: none;
margin: 60% 0 0;
padding: 0;
}
.rv-06__grid li {
margin: 0;
}
.rv-06__grid li:nth-child(2) {
margin-top: 22px;
}
.rv-06 img {
display: block;
width: 100%;
height: auto;
aspect-ratio: 3/4;
object-fit: cover;
border-radius: 12px;
}
.rv-06__grid li:nth-child(n+4) img {
aspect-ratio: 1/1;
}
.rv-06__note {
margin: 14px 0 30%;
font: 500 13px/1.5 ui-monospace,monospace;
color: oklch(1 0 0/.5);
}
/* ── the cascade: the stagger is a SHIFTED RANGE, not a delay ── */
@media (prefers-reduced-motion: no-preference) {
@supports (animation-timeline: view()) {
.rv-06__grid li {
animation: rv06-rise linear both;
animation-timeline: view();
animation-range: entry calc(60% + var(--i) * var(--step)) contain calc(20% + var(--i) * var(--step));
}
}
}
@keyframes rv06-rise {
from {
opacity: 0;
transform: translateY(58px) scale(.97);
}
to {
opacity: 1;
transform: none;
}
}
/* ── fallback: here a time-based delay ladder IS correct ─────── */
@supports not (animation-timeline: view()) {
.rv-06__grid li {
opacity: 0;
transform: translateY(58px);
transition: opacity .7s ease,transform .7s cubic-bezier(.22,1,.36,1);
transition-delay: calc(var(--i) * 70ms);
}
.rv-06__grid li.is-in {
opacity: 1;
transform: none;
}
}
@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
.rv-06__grid li {
opacity: 1;
transform: none;
transition: none;
}
}
/* ── real-world use case block ────────────────────────────────── */
.rv-06__uclabel {
display: flex;
align-items: center;
gap: 8px;
margin: 0 0 14px;
font: 400 11.5px/1 ui-monospace,monospace;
color: oklch(1 0 0/.45);
}
.rv-06__uclabel b {
font: 600 10.5px/1 ui-monospace,monospace;
letter-spacing: .07em;
text-transform: uppercase;
color: oklch(0.16 0.01 260);
background: var(--accent);
padding: 6px 8px;
border-radius: 6px;
}
.rv-06__uc h4 {
margin: 0;
font: 600 clamp(19px,2.6vw,30px)/1.14 system-ui,sans-serif;
letter-spacing: -.026em;
color: oklch(0.97 0 0);
text-wrap: balance;
}
.rv-06__uc h5 {
margin: 0;
font: 600 15.5px/1.28 system-ui,sans-serif;
color: oklch(0.97 0 0);
}
.rv-06__uc p.eyebrow {
margin: 0;
font: 500 10.5px/1 ui-monospace,monospace;
letter-spacing: .11em;
text-transform: uppercase;
color: var(--accent);
}
.rv-06__uc p.body {
margin: 0;
font: 400 13.5px/1.65 system-ui,sans-serif;
color: oklch(1 0 0/.6);
}
.rv-06__uc .cta {
display: flex;
gap: 10px;
flex-wrap: wrap;
align-items: center;
}
.rv-06__uc .btn {
font: 600 12.5px/1 system-ui,sans-serif;
color: oklch(0.16 0.01 260);
background: var(--accent);
padding: 12px 16px;
border-radius: 9px;
}
.rv-06__uc .btn.ghost {
color: oklch(0.94 0 0);
background: none;
border: 1px solid oklch(1 0 0/.2);
}
.rv-06__uc .price {
font: 600 16px/1 system-ui,sans-serif;
color: oklch(0.97 0 0);
}
.rv-06__uc .why {
margin: 12px 0 0;
font: 400 12.5px/1.6 system-ui,sans-serif;
color: oklch(1 0 0/.5);
}
.rv-06__uc .shell {
border: 1px solid oklch(1 0 0/.1);
border-radius: 20px;
overflow: clip;
background: oklch(0.18 0.01 260);
}
.rv-06__uc .col {
display: grid;
gap: 6px;
}
.rv-06__uc .meta {
display: flex;
gap: 14px;
flex-wrap: wrap;
font: 400 12.5px/1 ui-monospace,monospace;
color: oklch(1 0 0/.55);
}
.rv-06__uc {
margin: 0 0 110%;
}
.rv-06__uc .shell.pad {
padding: 22px;
}
.rv-06__uc .col.intro {
gap: 8px;
margin-bottom: 18px;
}
.rv-06__uc .body {
max-width: 62ch;
}
.rv-06__uc .rv-06__grid.essay {
grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fit,minmax(105px,1fr));
margin: 0;
}
.rv-06__uc .essay li:nth-child(2),
.rv-06__uc .essay li:nth-child(4) {
margin-top: 18px;
}
.rv-06__uc .essay img {
aspect-ratio: 3/4;
border-radius: 10px;
}
.rv-06__uc .credit {
margin: 14px 0 0;
font: 400 12px/1.5 system-ui,sans-serif;
color: oklch(1 0 0/.45);
}.rv-06 {
--accent: oklch(0.88 0.19 118);
--stage: 100vh;
--step: 8%;
font-family: system-ui,'Segoe UI',sans-serif;
height: var(--stage);
overflow-y: auto;
overflow-x: hidden;
padding: 0 20px;
border-radius: 16px;
border: 1px solid oklch(1 0 0/.1);
background: linear-gradient(oklch(0.16 0.01 260),oklch(0.19 0.012 260));
}
.rv-06 * {
box-sizing: border-box;
}
.rv-06__hint {
position: sticky;
top: 150px;
margin: 0;
height: 0;
text-align: center;
font: 400 11.5px/1 ui-monospace,monospace;
letter-spacing: .06em;
color: oklch(1 0 0/.45);
}
.rv-06__grid {
display: grid;
grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fit,minmax(120px,1fr));
gap: 12px;
list-style: none;
margin: 60% 0 0;
padding: 0;
}
.rv-06__grid li {
margin: 0;
}
.rv-06__grid li:nth-child(2) {
margin-top: 22px;
}
.rv-06 img {
display: block;
width: 100%;
height: auto;
aspect-ratio: 3/4;
object-fit: cover;
border-radius: 12px;
}
.rv-06__grid li:nth-child(n+4) img {
aspect-ratio: 1/1;
}
.rv-06__note {
margin: 14px 0 30%;
font: 500 13px/1.5 ui-monospace,monospace;
color: oklch(1 0 0/.5);
}
/* ── the cascade: the stagger is a SHIFTED RANGE, not a delay ── */
@media (prefers-reduced-motion: no-preference) {
@supports (animation-timeline: view()) {
.rv-06__grid li {
animation: rv06-rise linear both;
animation-timeline: view();
animation-range: entry calc(60% + var(--i) * var(--step)) contain calc(20% + var(--i) * var(--step));
}
}
}
@keyframes rv06-rise {
from {
opacity: 0;
transform: translateY(58px) scale(.97);
}
to {
opacity: 1;
transform: none;
}
}
/* ── fallback: here a time-based delay ladder IS correct ─────── */
@supports not (animation-timeline: view()) {
.rv-06__grid li {
opacity: 0;
transform: translateY(58px);
transition: opacity .7s ease,transform .7s cubic-bezier(.22,1,.36,1);
transition-delay: calc(var(--i) * 70ms);
}
.rv-06__grid li.is-in {
opacity: 1;
transform: none;
}
}
@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
.rv-06__grid li {
opacity: 1;
transform: none;
transition: none;
}
}
/* ── real-world use case block ────────────────────────────────── */
.rv-06__uclabel {
display: flex;
align-items: center;
gap: 8px;
margin: 0 0 14px;
font: 400 11.5px/1 ui-monospace,monospace;
color: oklch(1 0 0/.45);
}
.rv-06__uclabel b {
font: 600 10.5px/1 ui-monospace,monospace;
letter-spacing: .07em;
text-transform: uppercase;
color: oklch(0.16 0.01 260);
background: var(--accent);
padding: 6px 8px;
border-radius: 6px;
}
.rv-06__uc h4 {
margin: 0;
font: 600 clamp(19px,2.6vw,30px)/1.14 system-ui,sans-serif;
letter-spacing: -.026em;
color: oklch(0.97 0 0);
text-wrap: balance;
}
.rv-06__uc h5 {
margin: 0;
font: 600 15.5px/1.28 system-ui,sans-serif;
color: oklch(0.97 0 0);
}
.rv-06__uc p.eyebrow {
margin: 0;
font: 500 10.5px/1 ui-monospace,monospace;
letter-spacing: .11em;
text-transform: uppercase;
color: var(--accent);
}
.rv-06__uc p.body {
margin: 0;
font: 400 13.5px/1.65 system-ui,sans-serif;
color: oklch(1 0 0/.6);
}
.rv-06__uc .cta {
display: flex;
gap: 10px;
flex-wrap: wrap;
align-items: center;
}
.rv-06__uc .btn {
font: 600 12.5px/1 system-ui,sans-serif;
color: oklch(0.16 0.01 260);
background: var(--accent);
padding: 12px 16px;
border-radius: 9px;
}
.rv-06__uc .btn.ghost {
color: oklch(0.94 0 0);
background: none;
border: 1px solid oklch(1 0 0/.2);
}
.rv-06__uc .price {
font: 600 16px/1 system-ui,sans-serif;
color: oklch(0.97 0 0);
}
.rv-06__uc .why {
margin: 12px 0 0;
font: 400 12.5px/1.6 system-ui,sans-serif;
color: oklch(1 0 0/.5);
}
.rv-06__uc .shell {
border: 1px solid oklch(1 0 0/.1);
border-radius: 20px;
overflow: clip;
background: oklch(0.18 0.01 260);
}
.rv-06__uc .col {
display: grid;
gap: 6px;
}
.rv-06__uc .meta {
display: flex;
gap: 14px;
flex-wrap: wrap;
font: 400 12.5px/1 ui-monospace,monospace;
color: oklch(1 0 0/.55);
}
.rv-06__uc {
margin: 0 0 110%;
}
.rv-06__uc .shell.pad {
padding: 22px;
}
.rv-06__uc .col.intro {
gap: 8px;
margin-bottom: 18px;
}
.rv-06__uc .body {
max-width: 62ch;
}
.rv-06__uc .rv-06__grid.essay {
grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fit,minmax(105px,1fr));
margin: 0;
}
.rv-06__uc .essay li:nth-child(2),
.rv-06__uc .essay li:nth-child(4) {
margin-top: 18px;
}
.rv-06__uc .essay img {
aspect-ratio: 3/4;
border-radius: 10px;
}
.rv-06__uc .credit {
margin: 14px 0 0;
font: 400 12px/1.5 system-ui,sans-serif;
color: oklch(1 0 0/.45);
}/* OPTIONAL — progressive enhancement only. On a scroll timeline the stagger is a shifted
animation-range; in this fallback there IS a clock, so a transition-delay ladder is the
right tool (see the @supports not block in the CSS). */
if (!CSS.supports('animation-timeline: view()')) {
const io = new IntersectionObserver((entries, obs) => {
for (const entry of entries) {
if (!entry.isIntersecting) continue;
entry.target.classList.add('is-in');
obs.unobserve(entry.target);
}
}, { threshold: 0.15 });
document.querySelectorAll('.rv-06__grid li').forEach((el) => io.observe(el));
}/* OPTIONAL — progressive enhancement only. On a scroll timeline the stagger is a shifted
animation-range; in this fallback there IS a clock, so a transition-delay ladder is the
right tool (see the @supports not block in the CSS). */
if (!CSS.supports('animation-timeline: view()')) {
const io = new IntersectionObserver((entries, obs) => {
for (const entry of entries) {
if (!entry.isIntersecting) continue;
entry.target.classList.add('is-in');
obs.unobserve(entry.target);
}
}, { threshold: 0.15 });
document.querySelectorAll('.rv-06__grid li').forEach((el) => io.observe(el));
}Here's a working CSS Image Reveal on Scroll from CodeFronts. Use it as-is or adapt to your framework. All classes are scoped under a unique prefix so the code won't collide with your existing styles. MIT licensed.
Demo: Staggered Multi-Column Grid Reveal
Source: https://codefronts.com/motion/css-image-reveal-scroll/staggered-multi-column-grid-reveal/
A gallery that cascades in as you scroll — and the one demo that teaches the most important rule of scroll-driven animation: animation-delay does nothing, because there is no clock. The stagger comes from offsetting each tile's animation-range with calc() and an --i index, so the cascade is tied to scroll position rather than to time.
## HTML
```html
<section class="rv-06" tabindex="0" role="region" aria-label="Staggered gallery reveal demo">
<p class="rv-06__hint">scroll inside to cascade the gallery <span aria-hidden="true">↓</span></p>
<ul class="rv-06__grid">
<li style="--i:0"><img src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1441974231531-c6227db76b6e?auto=format&fit=crop&w=600&q=68" alt="Sunlight through green forest leaves" width="600" height="800" loading="lazy" decoding="async"></li>
<li style="--i:1"><img src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1465146344425-f00d5f5c8f07?auto=format&fit=crop&w=600&q=68" alt="Pink flowers in soft focus" width="600" height="800" loading="lazy" decoding="async"></li>
<li style="--i:2"><img src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1493246507139-91e8fad9978e?auto=format&fit=crop&w=600&q=68" alt="Calm lake between mountains" width="600" height="800" loading="lazy" decoding="async"></li>
<li style="--i:3"><img src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1519681393784-d120267933ba?auto=format&fit=crop&w=600&q=68" alt="Snowy mountain ridge under a night sky" width="600" height="600" loading="lazy" decoding="async"></li>
<li style="--i:4"><img src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1506905925346-21bda4d32df4?auto=format&fit=crop&w=600&q=68" alt="Mountain range above low clouds" width="600" height="600" loading="lazy" decoding="async"></li>
<li style="--i:5"><img src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1449824913935-59a10b8d2000?auto=format&fit=crop&w=600&q=68" alt="City street grid photographed from above" width="600" height="600" loading="lazy" decoding="async"></li>
</ul>
<p class="rv-06__note">stagger via animation-range offsets — delay has no meaning here</p>
<div class="rv-06__uc">
<p class="rv-06__uclabel"><b>real-world use case</b> editorial blog · photo essay</p>
<div class="shell pad">
<div class="col intro">
<p class="eyebrow">Field notes · 12 min read</p>
<h4>Six mornings above the treeline</h4>
<p class="body">Photographs from a week spent walking the ridge before sunrise, when the valley is still holding last night's weather.</p>
</div>
<ul class="rv-06__grid essay">
<li style="--i:0"><img src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1465146344425-f00d5f5c8f07?auto=format&fit=crop&w=500&q=65" alt="Pink flowers in soft focus" width="500" height="667" loading="lazy" decoding="async"></li>
<li style="--i:1"><img src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1493246507139-91e8fad9978e?auto=format&fit=crop&w=500&q=65" alt="Calm lake between mountains" width="500" height="667" loading="lazy" decoding="async"></li>
<li style="--i:2"><img src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1506905925346-21bda4d32df4?auto=format&fit=crop&w=500&q=65" alt="Mountain range above low clouds" width="500" height="667" loading="lazy" decoding="async"></li>
<li style="--i:3"><img src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1519681393784-d120267933ba?auto=format&fit=crop&w=500&q=65" alt="Snowy mountain ridge under a night sky" width="500" height="667" loading="lazy" decoding="async"></li>
</ul>
<p class="credit">Ridge line, 05:40 — Fujifilm X-T5, 35mm</p>
</div>
<p class="why">Alternating margin-top plus a 7% range step gives a masonry cascade that scrubs both ways — no library, no delay ladder.</p>
</div>
</section>
```
## CSS
```css
.rv-06 {
--accent: oklch(0.88 0.19 118);
--stage: 100vh;
--step: 8%;
font-family: system-ui,'Segoe UI',sans-serif;
height: var(--stage);
overflow-y: auto;
overflow-x: hidden;
padding: 0 20px;
border-radius: 16px;
border: 1px solid oklch(1 0 0/.1);
background: linear-gradient(oklch(0.16 0.01 260),oklch(0.19 0.012 260));
}
.rv-06 * {
box-sizing: border-box;
}
.rv-06__hint {
position: sticky;
top: 150px;
margin: 0;
height: 0;
text-align: center;
font: 400 11.5px/1 ui-monospace,monospace;
letter-spacing: .06em;
color: oklch(1 0 0/.45);
}
.rv-06__grid {
display: grid;
grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fit,minmax(120px,1fr));
gap: 12px;
list-style: none;
margin: 60% 0 0;
padding: 0;
}
.rv-06__grid li {
margin: 0;
}
.rv-06__grid li:nth-child(2) {
margin-top: 22px;
}
.rv-06 img {
display: block;
width: 100%;
height: auto;
aspect-ratio: 3/4;
object-fit: cover;
border-radius: 12px;
}
.rv-06__grid li:nth-child(n+4) img {
aspect-ratio: 1/1;
}
.rv-06__note {
margin: 14px 0 30%;
font: 500 13px/1.5 ui-monospace,monospace;
color: oklch(1 0 0/.5);
}
/* ── the cascade: the stagger is a SHIFTED RANGE, not a delay ── */
@media (prefers-reduced-motion: no-preference) {
@supports (animation-timeline: view()) {
.rv-06__grid li {
animation: rv06-rise linear both;
animation-timeline: view();
animation-range: entry calc(60% + var(--i) * var(--step)) contain calc(20% + var(--i) * var(--step));
}
}
}
@keyframes rv06-rise {
from {
opacity: 0;
transform: translateY(58px) scale(.97);
}
to {
opacity: 1;
transform: none;
}
}
/* ── fallback: here a time-based delay ladder IS correct ─────── */
@supports not (animation-timeline: view()) {
.rv-06__grid li {
opacity: 0;
transform: translateY(58px);
transition: opacity .7s ease,transform .7s cubic-bezier(.22,1,.36,1);
transition-delay: calc(var(--i) * 70ms);
}
.rv-06__grid li.is-in {
opacity: 1;
transform: none;
}
}
@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
.rv-06__grid li {
opacity: 1;
transform: none;
transition: none;
}
}
/* ── real-world use case block ────────────────────────────────── */
.rv-06__uclabel {
display: flex;
align-items: center;
gap: 8px;
margin: 0 0 14px;
font: 400 11.5px/1 ui-monospace,monospace;
color: oklch(1 0 0/.45);
}
.rv-06__uclabel b {
font: 600 10.5px/1 ui-monospace,monospace;
letter-spacing: .07em;
text-transform: uppercase;
color: oklch(0.16 0.01 260);
background: var(--accent);
padding: 6px 8px;
border-radius: 6px;
}
.rv-06__uc h4 {
margin: 0;
font: 600 clamp(19px,2.6vw,30px)/1.14 system-ui,sans-serif;
letter-spacing: -.026em;
color: oklch(0.97 0 0);
text-wrap: balance;
}
.rv-06__uc h5 {
margin: 0;
font: 600 15.5px/1.28 system-ui,sans-serif;
color: oklch(0.97 0 0);
}
.rv-06__uc p.eyebrow {
margin: 0;
font: 500 10.5px/1 ui-monospace,monospace;
letter-spacing: .11em;
text-transform: uppercase;
color: var(--accent);
}
.rv-06__uc p.body {
margin: 0;
font: 400 13.5px/1.65 system-ui,sans-serif;
color: oklch(1 0 0/.6);
}
.rv-06__uc .cta {
display: flex;
gap: 10px;
flex-wrap: wrap;
align-items: center;
}
.rv-06__uc .btn {
font: 600 12.5px/1 system-ui,sans-serif;
color: oklch(0.16 0.01 260);
background: var(--accent);
padding: 12px 16px;
border-radius: 9px;
}
.rv-06__uc .btn.ghost {
color: oklch(0.94 0 0);
background: none;
border: 1px solid oklch(1 0 0/.2);
}
.rv-06__uc .price {
font: 600 16px/1 system-ui,sans-serif;
color: oklch(0.97 0 0);
}
.rv-06__uc .why {
margin: 12px 0 0;
font: 400 12.5px/1.6 system-ui,sans-serif;
color: oklch(1 0 0/.5);
}
.rv-06__uc .shell {
border: 1px solid oklch(1 0 0/.1);
border-radius: 20px;
overflow: clip;
background: oklch(0.18 0.01 260);
}
.rv-06__uc .col {
display: grid;
gap: 6px;
}
.rv-06__uc .meta {
display: flex;
gap: 14px;
flex-wrap: wrap;
font: 400 12.5px/1 ui-monospace,monospace;
color: oklch(1 0 0/.55);
}
.rv-06__uc {
margin: 0 0 110%;
}
.rv-06__uc .shell.pad {
padding: 22px;
}
.rv-06__uc .col.intro {
gap: 8px;
margin-bottom: 18px;
}
.rv-06__uc .body {
max-width: 62ch;
}
.rv-06__uc .rv-06__grid.essay {
grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fit,minmax(105px,1fr));
margin: 0;
}
.rv-06__uc .essay li:nth-child(2),
.rv-06__uc .essay li:nth-child(4) {
margin-top: 18px;
}
.rv-06__uc .essay img {
aspect-ratio: 3/4;
border-radius: 10px;
}
.rv-06__uc .credit {
margin: 14px 0 0;
font: 400 12px/1.5 system-ui,sans-serif;
color: oklch(1 0 0/.45);
}
```
## JavaScript
```js
/* OPTIONAL — progressive enhancement only. On a scroll timeline the stagger is a shifted
animation-range; in this fallback there IS a clock, so a transition-delay ladder is the
right tool (see the @supports not block in the CSS). */
if (!CSS.supports('animation-timeline: view()')) {
const io = new IntersectionObserver((entries, obs) => {
for (const entry of entries) {
if (!entry.isIntersecting) continue;
entry.target.classList.add('is-in');
obs.unobserve(entry.target);
}
}, { threshold: 0.15 });
document.querySelectorAll('.rv-06__grid li').forEach((el) => io.observe(el));
}
```Here's a working CSS Image Reveal on Scroll from CodeFronts. Use it as-is or adapt to your framework. All classes are scoped under a unique prefix so the code won't collide with your existing styles. MIT licensed.
Demo: Staggered Multi-Column Grid Reveal
Source: https://codefronts.com/motion/css-image-reveal-scroll/staggered-multi-column-grid-reveal/
A gallery that cascades in as you scroll — and the one demo that teaches the most important rule of scroll-driven animation: animation-delay does nothing, because there is no clock. The stagger comes from offsetting each tile's animation-range with calc() and an --i index, so the cascade is tied to scroll position rather than to time.
## HTML
```html
<section class="rv-06" tabindex="0" role="region" aria-label="Staggered gallery reveal demo">
<p class="rv-06__hint">scroll inside to cascade the gallery <span aria-hidden="true">↓</span></p>
<ul class="rv-06__grid">
<li style="--i:0"><img src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1441974231531-c6227db76b6e?auto=format&fit=crop&w=600&q=68" alt="Sunlight through green forest leaves" width="600" height="800" loading="lazy" decoding="async"></li>
<li style="--i:1"><img src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1465146344425-f00d5f5c8f07?auto=format&fit=crop&w=600&q=68" alt="Pink flowers in soft focus" width="600" height="800" loading="lazy" decoding="async"></li>
<li style="--i:2"><img src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1493246507139-91e8fad9978e?auto=format&fit=crop&w=600&q=68" alt="Calm lake between mountains" width="600" height="800" loading="lazy" decoding="async"></li>
<li style="--i:3"><img src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1519681393784-d120267933ba?auto=format&fit=crop&w=600&q=68" alt="Snowy mountain ridge under a night sky" width="600" height="600" loading="lazy" decoding="async"></li>
<li style="--i:4"><img src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1506905925346-21bda4d32df4?auto=format&fit=crop&w=600&q=68" alt="Mountain range above low clouds" width="600" height="600" loading="lazy" decoding="async"></li>
<li style="--i:5"><img src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1449824913935-59a10b8d2000?auto=format&fit=crop&w=600&q=68" alt="City street grid photographed from above" width="600" height="600" loading="lazy" decoding="async"></li>
</ul>
<p class="rv-06__note">stagger via animation-range offsets — delay has no meaning here</p>
<div class="rv-06__uc">
<p class="rv-06__uclabel"><b>real-world use case</b> editorial blog · photo essay</p>
<div class="shell pad">
<div class="col intro">
<p class="eyebrow">Field notes · 12 min read</p>
<h4>Six mornings above the treeline</h4>
<p class="body">Photographs from a week spent walking the ridge before sunrise, when the valley is still holding last night's weather.</p>
</div>
<ul class="rv-06__grid essay">
<li style="--i:0"><img src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1465146344425-f00d5f5c8f07?auto=format&fit=crop&w=500&q=65" alt="Pink flowers in soft focus" width="500" height="667" loading="lazy" decoding="async"></li>
<li style="--i:1"><img src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1493246507139-91e8fad9978e?auto=format&fit=crop&w=500&q=65" alt="Calm lake between mountains" width="500" height="667" loading="lazy" decoding="async"></li>
<li style="--i:2"><img src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1506905925346-21bda4d32df4?auto=format&fit=crop&w=500&q=65" alt="Mountain range above low clouds" width="500" height="667" loading="lazy" decoding="async"></li>
<li style="--i:3"><img src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1519681393784-d120267933ba?auto=format&fit=crop&w=500&q=65" alt="Snowy mountain ridge under a night sky" width="500" height="667" loading="lazy" decoding="async"></li>
</ul>
<p class="credit">Ridge line, 05:40 — Fujifilm X-T5, 35mm</p>
</div>
<p class="why">Alternating margin-top plus a 7% range step gives a masonry cascade that scrubs both ways — no library, no delay ladder.</p>
</div>
</section>
```
## CSS
```css
.rv-06 {
--accent: oklch(0.88 0.19 118);
--stage: 100vh;
--step: 8%;
font-family: system-ui,'Segoe UI',sans-serif;
height: var(--stage);
overflow-y: auto;
overflow-x: hidden;
padding: 0 20px;
border-radius: 16px;
border: 1px solid oklch(1 0 0/.1);
background: linear-gradient(oklch(0.16 0.01 260),oklch(0.19 0.012 260));
}
.rv-06 * {
box-sizing: border-box;
}
.rv-06__hint {
position: sticky;
top: 150px;
margin: 0;
height: 0;
text-align: center;
font: 400 11.5px/1 ui-monospace,monospace;
letter-spacing: .06em;
color: oklch(1 0 0/.45);
}
.rv-06__grid {
display: grid;
grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fit,minmax(120px,1fr));
gap: 12px;
list-style: none;
margin: 60% 0 0;
padding: 0;
}
.rv-06__grid li {
margin: 0;
}
.rv-06__grid li:nth-child(2) {
margin-top: 22px;
}
.rv-06 img {
display: block;
width: 100%;
height: auto;
aspect-ratio: 3/4;
object-fit: cover;
border-radius: 12px;
}
.rv-06__grid li:nth-child(n+4) img {
aspect-ratio: 1/1;
}
.rv-06__note {
margin: 14px 0 30%;
font: 500 13px/1.5 ui-monospace,monospace;
color: oklch(1 0 0/.5);
}
/* ── the cascade: the stagger is a SHIFTED RANGE, not a delay ── */
@media (prefers-reduced-motion: no-preference) {
@supports (animation-timeline: view()) {
.rv-06__grid li {
animation: rv06-rise linear both;
animation-timeline: view();
animation-range: entry calc(60% + var(--i) * var(--step)) contain calc(20% + var(--i) * var(--step));
}
}
}
@keyframes rv06-rise {
from {
opacity: 0;
transform: translateY(58px) scale(.97);
}
to {
opacity: 1;
transform: none;
}
}
/* ── fallback: here a time-based delay ladder IS correct ─────── */
@supports not (animation-timeline: view()) {
.rv-06__grid li {
opacity: 0;
transform: translateY(58px);
transition: opacity .7s ease,transform .7s cubic-bezier(.22,1,.36,1);
transition-delay: calc(var(--i) * 70ms);
}
.rv-06__grid li.is-in {
opacity: 1;
transform: none;
}
}
@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
.rv-06__grid li {
opacity: 1;
transform: none;
transition: none;
}
}
/* ── real-world use case block ────────────────────────────────── */
.rv-06__uclabel {
display: flex;
align-items: center;
gap: 8px;
margin: 0 0 14px;
font: 400 11.5px/1 ui-monospace,monospace;
color: oklch(1 0 0/.45);
}
.rv-06__uclabel b {
font: 600 10.5px/1 ui-monospace,monospace;
letter-spacing: .07em;
text-transform: uppercase;
color: oklch(0.16 0.01 260);
background: var(--accent);
padding: 6px 8px;
border-radius: 6px;
}
.rv-06__uc h4 {
margin: 0;
font: 600 clamp(19px,2.6vw,30px)/1.14 system-ui,sans-serif;
letter-spacing: -.026em;
color: oklch(0.97 0 0);
text-wrap: balance;
}
.rv-06__uc h5 {
margin: 0;
font: 600 15.5px/1.28 system-ui,sans-serif;
color: oklch(0.97 0 0);
}
.rv-06__uc p.eyebrow {
margin: 0;
font: 500 10.5px/1 ui-monospace,monospace;
letter-spacing: .11em;
text-transform: uppercase;
color: var(--accent);
}
.rv-06__uc p.body {
margin: 0;
font: 400 13.5px/1.65 system-ui,sans-serif;
color: oklch(1 0 0/.6);
}
.rv-06__uc .cta {
display: flex;
gap: 10px;
flex-wrap: wrap;
align-items: center;
}
.rv-06__uc .btn {
font: 600 12.5px/1 system-ui,sans-serif;
color: oklch(0.16 0.01 260);
background: var(--accent);
padding: 12px 16px;
border-radius: 9px;
}
.rv-06__uc .btn.ghost {
color: oklch(0.94 0 0);
background: none;
border: 1px solid oklch(1 0 0/.2);
}
.rv-06__uc .price {
font: 600 16px/1 system-ui,sans-serif;
color: oklch(0.97 0 0);
}
.rv-06__uc .why {
margin: 12px 0 0;
font: 400 12.5px/1.6 system-ui,sans-serif;
color: oklch(1 0 0/.5);
}
.rv-06__uc .shell {
border: 1px solid oklch(1 0 0/.1);
border-radius: 20px;
overflow: clip;
background: oklch(0.18 0.01 260);
}
.rv-06__uc .col {
display: grid;
gap: 6px;
}
.rv-06__uc .meta {
display: flex;
gap: 14px;
flex-wrap: wrap;
font: 400 12.5px/1 ui-monospace,monospace;
color: oklch(1 0 0/.55);
}
.rv-06__uc {
margin: 0 0 110%;
}
.rv-06__uc .shell.pad {
padding: 22px;
}
.rv-06__uc .col.intro {
gap: 8px;
margin-bottom: 18px;
}
.rv-06__uc .body {
max-width: 62ch;
}
.rv-06__uc .rv-06__grid.essay {
grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fit,minmax(105px,1fr));
margin: 0;
}
.rv-06__uc .essay li:nth-child(2),
.rv-06__uc .essay li:nth-child(4) {
margin-top: 18px;
}
.rv-06__uc .essay img {
aspect-ratio: 3/4;
border-radius: 10px;
}
.rv-06__uc .credit {
margin: 14px 0 0;
font: 400 12px/1.5 system-ui,sans-serif;
color: oklch(1 0 0/.45);
}
```
## JavaScript
```js
/* OPTIONAL — progressive enhancement only. On a scroll timeline the stagger is a shifted
animation-range; in this fallback there IS a clock, so a transition-delay ladder is the
right tool (see the @supports not block in the CSS). */
if (!CSS.supports('animation-timeline: view()')) {
const io = new IntersectionObserver((entries, obs) => {
for (const entry of entries) {
if (!entry.isIntersecting) continue;
entry.target.classList.add('is-in');
obs.unobserve(entry.target);
}
}, { threshold: 0.15 });
document.querySelectorAll('.rv-06__grid li').forEach((el) => io.observe(el));
}
```How this works
Start with what does not work. On a scroll timeline there is no elapsed time, so animation-delay: 80ms is meaningless and nth-child delay ladders — the standard time-based stagger everyone reaches for — silently do nothing. Progress is a pure function of scroll position, so a stagger has to be expressed in position, not time.
The technique is to offset each item's range. Every tile carries an index as a custom property (style="--i:3") and the range is computed from it: animation-range: entry calc(var(--i) * 8%) entry calc(70% + var(--i) * 8%). Tile 0 runs from entry 0% to 70%, tile 1 from 8% to 78%, tile 2 from 16% to 86%, and so on. Each tile has an identical 70%-long window, just shifted further down the scrollport — so they resolve in a cascade, and crucially the cascade is scrubbable: scroll back up and it plays in reverse, because it was never a fire-once event.
The keyframes themselves are deliberately plain — opacity: 0 and translateY(58px) scale(.97) → resting state — because the choreography is doing the work. Two layout notes: uneven margin-top plus per-tile aspect-ratio gives masonry rhythm with no JS library, and keeping the whole cascade under about 30% of the range matters, or the last tile finishes after the section has already left the viewport.
Make it yours
- The 8% step is the cascade tempo: 4% is a tight ripple, 14% is a slow deal. Total cascade = step x item count; keep it under ~30%.
- No index attribute available from your CMS? Use
nth-childrules for the ranges instead — same maths, more CSS. - Reverse the cascade with
calc((var(--count) - var(--i)) * 8%)so the trail arrives from the far corner. - Vary the keyframe direction per column (odd tiles rise, even tiles drop) for a woven feel.
- Add a diagonal wave by folding the row into the index:
--i: calc(var(--col) + var(--row)).
Gotchas — read before shipping
animation-delayis INERT on a scroll timeline. If your stagger 'does nothing', this is why — offsetanimation-rangeinstead.- Long cascades overrun the section: the last tile can finish after the grid has scrolled past. Cap the total offset.
- Each tile needs intrinsic
width/heightoraspect-ratio, otherwise the grid reflows as images load and CLS spikes. - Animating
opacityon many tiles at once promotes many layers — keep the grid to a sensible tile count on mobile. - Percentages in
animation-rangeare relative to the range NAME (entry/cover), not the page — mixingentry 8%andcover 8%across tiles breaks the cascade.
Browser support
| Chrome | Safari | Firefox | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 115+ | 26+ | flag | 115+ |
CSS grid, custom properties and calc() are universal. The range-offset stagger requires animation-timeline (Chrome/Edge 115+, Safari 26+); the js fallback restores a conventional transition-delay ladder, which IS time-based and works everywhere.