How to use CSS to hide scrollbars without impacting scrolling

This guide explains how to hide scrollbars in popular web browsers using modern CSS techniques, emphasizing both aesthetic and functional considerations. Although scrollbars help users navigate content that exceeds the browser window's available space, certain design patterns such as slideshows and image galleries may benefit from hidden scrollbars for a smoother interaction and cleaner design. The guide outlines various CSS methods, including `overflow: hidden` and scrollbar-specific pseudo-selectors, to control scrollbar visibility across different browsers while maintaining scroll functionality. It highlights the importance of cross-browser compatibility and the potential accessibility challenges of hidden scrollbars, urging developers to balance aesthetics with user experience and accessibility standards, such as WCAG guidelines. Additionally, it discusses advanced scrollbar management techniques and performance considerations, especially regarding layout shifts and Core Web Vitals, to ensure a seamless user experience. The article concludes with a nod to the importance of maintaining visible, minimally styled scrollbars for accessibility and navigation, even when hiding options are implemented.