(And what really matters for accessibility)
If you’ve ever reviewed a website on your phone and thought,
“This feels like a lot of scrolling…”
you’re not alone.
Scrolling itself isn’t bad — in fact, it’s completely natural on mobile. But from an accessibility and usability point of view, there is a point where scrolling can become overwhelming, confusing, or exhausting.
The tricky part?
There’s no single magic number.
What does exist are patterns, best practices, and warning signs that help you decide when a page is working — and when it might be asking too much of the user.
First: scrolling is not the enemy
Let’s clear this up straight away.
Modern users expect to scroll, especially on mobile. From an accessibility perspective, scrolling is far less problematic than things like:
- tiny text
- low colour contrast
- cluttered layouts
- walls of unbroken text
A long page can still be accessible.
A short page can still be exhausting.
So the question isn’t “How long is too long?”
It’s “How supported does the user feel while scrolling?”
A realistic guideline (not a rule)
On an average smartphone:
- 1–2 scrolls: users should understand what the page is about
- 2–3 scrolls: the main action should be repeated
- 4–6 scrolls: fine, but only if content is well structured
- 7+ scrolls: best reserved for blogs, articles, or story-led content
For homepages, sales pages, and service pages, problems tend to appear when users have to scroll more than 4 full screen lengths before they feel oriented.
Not because they’re impatient, but because cognitive load increases.
When scrolling becomes an accessibility issue
1. There’s no clarity early on
Within the first 1–2 scrolls, users should know:
- who the page is for
- what’s being offered
- whether they’re in the right place
If someone has to scroll endlessly just to work that out, many will leave particularly users who are:
- neurodivergent
- anxious or overwhelmed
- dealing with fatigue or brain fog
2. The main action is buried
From an accessibility point of view, users should never feel like they’re hunting for the next step.
If your primary call-to-action:
- only appears once
- appears very far down the page
- or disappears for long stretches
you’re relying on stamina rather than clarity.
A good rule of thumb is to repeat key actions every 2-3 scrolls.
3. Important information is hidden too far down
Details like:
- pricing
- time commitment
- what happens next
- how to get help
shouldn’t require a marathon scroll.
If users have to work hard to find essential information, many simply won’t, especially on mobile.
What matters more than scroll length
Clear structure
Accessibility improves dramatically when pages use:
- clear headings
- short paragraphs
- white space
- predictable layouts
This helps users scan, pause, and re-engage, even on long pages.
Signposting
Small phrases make a big difference, such as:
- “Here’s what you’ll find on this page”
- “Next, we’ll look at…”
- “If you’re ready, here’s what to do next”
These guide users gently and reduce cognitive strain.
Reassurance and choice
Accessibility isn’t just technical, it’s emotional.
Letting users know:
- they don’t have to read everything
- they can act at any point
- they can come back later
creates a calmer, more inclusive experience.
The most helpful way to think about it
Instead of asking:
“How many scrolls is too many?”
Ask:
“Does this page help someone understand, decide, and act without feeling overwhelmed?”
If the answer is yes, the scroll length probably isn’t the problem.
In summary
- Scrolling is normal on mobile
- 3-4 scrolls is a useful benchmark for a homepage (other pages 4-6), but these aren’t hard limits
- Clarity, structure, and repetition matter more than length
- Accessibility improves when users feel guided, not tested
A page doesn’t need to be shorter, it needs to be kinder, if your pages are human focused, then everything else will fall into place.