tick(): Waiting for DOM Updates
Await tick() to ensure the DOM reflects the latest state before reading layout values.
tick(): Waiting for DOM Updates is a free Sveltejs Academy lesson on CoddyKit. This is lesson 4 of 4. You can read the complete lesson below for free — then practise it hands-on in the browser with a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor. It is part of the Sveltejs Academy learning path, and your progress syncs across the web and the CoddyKit app. The Sveltejs Academy course includes 4 lessons in total.
What tick Is
tick() returns a promise that resolves after pending state changes have been applied to the DOM.
Import It
Import from svelte.
<script>
import { tick } from "svelte";
</script>Why Wait
If you change state and immediately read the DOM, you may see the old values. tick() ensures fresh measurements.
Example
Wait for tick before scrolling to a newly inserted element.
items = [...items, newItem];
await tick();
lastEl.scrollIntoView();Inside Event Handlers
Make the handler async so you can await tick.
async function add() {
items = [...items, x];
await tick();
measure();
}Inside Reactive Statements
You can await tick from reactive statements that are wrapped in async functions.
vs afterUpdate
afterUpdate fires after every update; tick() waits only for the current pending one.
SSR Behavior
On the server tick() resolves immediately; you can use it without branching.
Common Pitfall
Forgetting await means tick returns a promise but you do not wait. Always await it.
Pair with bind:this
Most tick use cases involve reading from or scrolling to a bound element.
Tiny Helper
Wrap tick + scroll in a helper for repeated patterns.
async function scrollIntoView(el) { await tick(); el.scrollIntoView(); }Quick Check
What does tick() return?
Recap
tick() lets you await the next DOM update so subsequent reads see the latest state. Pair it with refs.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the “tick(): Waiting for DOM Updates” lesson free?
Yes — the full text of “tick(): Waiting for DOM Updates” is free to read here on the web. To practise it interactively (a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor) and unlock the rest of the Sveltejs Academy course, upgrade to CoddyKit PRO. The Sveltejs Academy course includes 4 lessons in total.
What will I learn in “tick(): Waiting for DOM Updates”?
Await tick() to ensure the DOM reflects the latest state before reading layout values. You practise Sveltejs Academy with hands-on code you run directly in the browser, and a 24/7 AI tutor answers your questions as you work through the lesson.
Do I need any experience to start Sveltejs Academy?
No prior experience is required. Sveltejs Academy on CoddyKit is structured for beginners through advanced learners, so you can start here or from the beginning and move at your own pace. This is lesson 4 of 4.
How long does the “tick(): Waiting for DOM Updates” lesson take?
Most CoddyKit lessons take about 5–10 minutes. Each one is bite-sized and interactive, so you make steady progress and pick up exactly where you left off across the web and the app.
Can I write and run code in this Sveltejs Academy lesson?
Yes. Every Sveltejs Academy lesson includes a built-in code editor, so you write and run real code right in your browser and get instant AI feedback — no local setup required.
All lessons in this course
- onMount: Running After Render
- onDestroy: Cleanup
- beforeUpdate and afterUpdate
- tick(): Waiting for DOM Updates