UI Design
Sidebar
A sidebar is a navigation panel anchored to the left or right edge of the screen that stays in place as the main content changes.
Why it matters
A persistent sidebar gives people a stable map of the product and quick access to its main sections. This matters most in tools where people move between areas often.
In depth
Sidebars suit dashboards and apps with many sections that people switch between frequently, since the options stay visible rather than hidden behind a menu. The trade-off is space: a wide sidebar leaves less room for content, which is why it often collapses to icons or slides away on smaller screens. Contrast it with top navigation, which saves vertical space but fits fewer items comfortably.
Real-world example
An email app keeps a sidebar with Inbox, Sent, Drafts, and folders pinned on the left while messages fill the rest of the screen.
Inbox
12 conversations waiting for a reply.
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