Complete Guide to Lazy Loading Images for Performance
Learn how lazy loading works, when to use it, and how to implement native lazy loading with the loading attribute.
By RiseTop Team · May 2026 · 8 min read
Lazy loading defers loading of images until they are about to enter the viewport. This dramatically reduces initial page load time.
Native Lazy Loading
Modern browsers support the loading attribute:
- loading=lazy: Defer loading until near viewport
- loading=eager: Load immediately (default)
Pro Tip: Use loading=lazy on below-the-fold images. Do NOT use it for above-the-fold images.
When to Lazy Load
- Images below the fold on long pages
- Image galleries and carousels
- Content loaded via infinite scroll
- Modal or popup content
When NOT to Lazy Load
- Above-the-fold hero images
- Images visible on initial page load
- Small icons and decorative images
Frequently Asked Questions
Is native lazy loading well supported? +
Yes. Supported by Chrome 77+, Firefox 75+, Safari 15.4+, and Edge 79+. Over 95% of global browser usage.
Does lazy loading affect SEO? +
Googlebot renders pages and can see lazy-loaded images. Google recommends lazy loading for off-screen images.
What is loading=eager? +
The default behavior - load immediately. Explicitly set it to override a global lazy loading policy for important images.