A clearfix makes a parent element wrap around its floated children again, so borders, backgrounds and the content that follows stay where you expect. The examples outline every parent with a dashed border and every floated box with a solid one, so you can see the helper at work.
The parent wraps a float-start and a float-end button, so its dashed border surrounds both.
Dashed border: the .clearfix parent. It keeps its height even though both children float.
<div class="hp-cf clearfix">
<button type="button" class="btn btn-outline-secondary float-start">Back</button>
<button type="button" class="btn btn-primary float-end">Continue</button>
</div>
<p class="small text-muted mt-2 mb-0">Dashed border: the .clearfix parent. It keeps its height even though both children float.</p>Side by side comparison: without the helper the parent collapses to its padding and the float hangs out.
Without .clearfix
With .clearfix
<div class="row g-3">
<div class="col-sm-6">
<p class="small font-semibold mb-1">Without .clearfix</p>
<div class="overflow-hidden pb-12">
<div class="hp-cf">
<div class="hp-fl float-start px-4 py-6">
Float
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="col-sm-6">
<p class="small font-semibold mb-1">With .clearfix</p>
<div class="hp-cf clearfix">
<div class="hp-fl float-start px-4 py-6">
Float
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>A floated avatar beside a short bio; the clearfix stops the next block from sliding up next to the image.
QA Engineer, Prague
This paragraph starts below the avatar, not beside it.
<div class="hp-cf clearfix">
<img src="../assets/img/avatar-1.svg" alt="Tariq Quinn" width="72" height="72" class="hp-fl rounded-full float-start me-4 mb-2">
<h3 class="h6 mb-1">Tariq Quinn</h3>
<p class="small text-muted mb-0">QA Engineer, Prague</p>
</div>
<p class="small mt-2 mb-0">This paragraph starts below the avatar, not beside it.</p>A title floated left and a status badge floated right inside a card header.
<div class="card">
<div class="card-header hp-cf clearfix">
<span class="hp-fl float-start px-2 font-semibold">Disaster response</span> <span class="badge text-bg-success float-end mt-1">Active</span>
</div>
<div class="card-body small">
This practical process turns your work organised wherever you are.
</div>
</div>A floated button group and a floated search field share one toolbar row.
<div class="hp-cf clearfix bg-surface-3">
<div class="btn-group btn-group-sm float-start" role="group" aria-label="Text style">
<button type="button" class="btn btn-outline-secondary"><i class="bi bi-type-bold" aria-hidden="true"></i></button>
<button type="button" class="btn btn-outline-secondary"><i class="bi bi-type-italic" aria-hidden="true"></i></button>
<button type="button" class="btn btn-outline-secondary"><i class="bi bi-type-underline" aria-hidden="true"></i></button>
</div>
<form class="float-end" role="search">
<label class="sr-only" for="hp-search-1231">Search</label>
<input class="form-control form-control-sm" id="hp-search-1231" type="search" placeholder="Search">
</form>
</div>Each list item floats the name left and the price right; clearfix keeps every row its own height.
<ul class="list-group">
<li class="list-group-item hp-cf clearfix"><span class="hp-fl float-start px-2">Shelter support</span><span class="hp-fl float-end px-2 font-semibold">$255.50</span></li>
<li class="list-group-item hp-cf clearfix"><span class="hp-fl float-start px-2">Tree planting</span><span class="hp-fl float-end px-2 font-semibold">$200.99</span></li>
<li class="list-group-item hp-cf clearfix"><span class="hp-fl float-start px-2">Emergency fund</span><span class="hp-fl float-end px-2 font-semibold">$94.50</span></li>
<li class="list-group-item hp-cf clearfix"><span class="hp-fl float-start px-2">Meal pack</span><span class="hp-fl float-end px-2 font-semibold">$433.00</span></li>
</ul>A quote floated to the end of the paragraph; the article wrapper is cleared so the next section starts below.
"Together we can change lives"
Our animal rescue makes decisions quicker and clearer in just a few clicks. The new transparent reports keeps data easy to understand without extra tools. A honest dashboard brings you focused on what matters wherever you are. The new local partners helps complex tasks into simple steps for teams of every size.
This reliable routine keeps your work organised with friendly support.
<article class="hp-cf clearfix">
<blockquote class="hp-fl sm:float-end sm:ms-4 mb-2 p-4 text-base italic">"Together we can change lives"</blockquote>
<p class="mb-2">Our animal rescue makes decisions quicker and clearer in just a few clicks. The new transparent reports keeps data easy to understand without extra tools. A honest dashboard brings you focused on what matters wherever you are. The new local partners helps complex tasks into simple steps for teams of every size.</p>
<p class="mb-0">This reliable routine keeps your work organised with friendly support.</p>
</article>
<h3 class="h6 mt-4 mb-0">Next section starts on a clean line</h3>A comment row with a floated avatar and a floated time stamp.
23 min ago
Tariq Delgado
A focused project connects new ideas to life at a fair price.
<div class="hp-cf clearfix">
<img src="../assets/img/avatar-2.svg" alt="Tariq Delgado" width="40" height="40" class="rounded-full float-start me-2"> <small class="hp-fl float-end px-2 text-muted">23 min ago</small> <strong class="block">Tariq Delgado</strong>
<p class="small mb-0">A focused project connects new ideas to life at a fair price.</p>
</div>float-md-start and float-md-end only float from the md breakpoint; below it the boxes stack.
<div class="hp-cf clearfix">
<div class="hp-fl md:float-start p-4 mb-2 md:mb-0">
<i class="bi bi-clock" aria-hidden="true"></i> Opening hours: 11:45
</div>
<div class="hp-fl md:float-end p-4">
<i class="bi bi-geo-alt" aria-hidden="true"></i> Austin
</div>
</div>Copyright floated left and social links floated right in a page footer.
<footer class="hp-cf clearfix border-t pt-4 small">
<p class="float-start mb-0">© 2026 Brand name 11</p>
<ul class="list-inline float-end mb-0">
<li class="list-inline-item"><a href="#" aria-label="Email"><i class="bi bi-envelope" aria-hidden="true"></i></a></li>
<li class="list-inline-item"><a href="#" aria-label="Chat"><i class="bi bi-chat-dots" aria-hidden="true"></i></a></li>
<li class="list-inline-item"><a href="#" aria-label="Location"><i class="bi bi-geo-alt" aria-hidden="true"></i></a></li>
</ul>
</footer>The totals table floats to the end of an invoice; clearfix keeps the signature line below it.
| Subtotal | $631.00 |
|---|---|
| Tax | $44.17 |
| Total | $675.17 |
Thank you for your order #TX-6100.
<div class="hp-cf clearfix">
<table class="table table-sm hp-fl float-end w-auto mb-2">
<tbody>
<tr>
<th scope="row">Subtotal</th>
<td class="text-end">$631.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th scope="row">Tax</th>
<td class="text-end">$44.17</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th scope="row">Total</th>
<td class="text-end font-bold">$675.17</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<p class="small text-muted mt-2 mb-0">Thank you for your order #TX-6100.</p>Several floated thumbnails wrap onto new lines; the gallery wrapper still has a real height.
Caption text sits under the gallery.
<div class="hp-cf clearfix">
<img src="../assets/img/square-3.svg" alt="Gallery photo 1" width="80" height="80" class="hp-fl float-start me-2 mb-2 rounded-md"><img src="../assets/img/square-4.svg" alt="Gallery photo 2" width="80" height="80" class="hp-fl float-start me-2 mb-2 rounded-md"><img src="../assets/img/square-5.svg" alt="Gallery photo 3" width="80" height="80" class="hp-fl float-start me-2 mb-2 rounded-md"><img src="../assets/img/square-6.svg" alt="Gallery photo 4" width="80" height="80" class="hp-fl float-start me-2 mb-2 rounded-md"><img src="../assets/img/square-7.svg" alt="Gallery photo 5" width="80" height="80" class="hp-fl float-start me-2 mb-2 rounded-md"><img src="../assets/img/square-8.svg" alt="Gallery photo 6" width="80" height="80" class="hp-fl float-start me-2 mb-2 rounded-md">
</div>
<p class="small mt-2 mb-0">Caption text sits under the gallery.</p>Buttons floated to the end of a settings form.
<form class="hp-cf clearfix">
<div class="mb-4">
<label class="form-label" for="hp-name-1232">Display name</label>
<input class="form-control" id="hp-name-1232" type="text" value="Noah Ortega">
</div>
<div class="float-end">
<button type="button" class="btn btn-light">Cancel</button>
<button type="submit" class="btn btn-primary">Save changes</button>
</div>
</form>Tags floated one after another; the clearfix parent grows with every wrapped line.
<div class="hp-cf clearfix">
<span class="badge rounded-full text-bg-light border float-start me-1 mb-1">#community</span><span class="badge rounded-full text-bg-light border float-start me-1 mb-1">#guide</span><span class="badge rounded-full text-bg-light border float-start me-1 mb-1">#news</span><span class="badge rounded-full text-bg-light border float-start me-1 mb-1">#release</span><span class="badge rounded-full text-bg-light border float-start me-1 mb-1">#update</span><span class="badge rounded-full text-bg-light border float-start me-1 mb-1">#tips</span>
</div>An icon floated left, a time stamp floated right and the message in between.
The new secure giving connects every detail in view without extra tools.
<div class="hp-cf clearfix bg-page">
<span class="hp-fl float-start me-2 px-2 py-1 text-primary"><i class="bi bi-bell" aria-hidden="true"></i></span> <small class="float-end text-muted">just now</small>
<p class="small mb-0">The new secure giving connects every detail in view without extra tools.</p>
</div>A floated badge in the top corner of a pricing card body.
$73.81
per month
<div class="card" style="max-width:20rem">
<div class="card-body">
<div class="hp-cf clearfix mb-2">
<h3 class="h5 float-start mb-0">Pro plan</h3>
<span class="badge text-bg-warning float-end">Popular</span>
</div>
<p class="display-6 mb-0">$73.81</p>
<p class="small text-muted mb-0">per month</p>
</div>
</div>A breadcrumb floated left and a button floated right above a page.
<div class="hp-cf clearfix">
<nav class="float-start" aria-label="breadcrumb">
<ol class="breadcrumb mb-0 py-1">
<li class="breadcrumb-item"><a href="#">Home</a></li>
<li class="breadcrumb-item active" aria-current="page">Relief</li>
</ol>
</nav>
<button type="button" class="btn btn-sm btn-primary float-end"><i class="bi bi-plus-lg" aria-hidden="true"></i> New</button>
</div>Two floated tiles each half the width of the parent (w-50).
<div class="hp-cf clearfix">
<div class="w-1/2 float-start pe-1">
<div class="hp-fl p-4">
<div class="small text-muted">
Visitors
</div>
<div class="text-xl font-semibold">
83.4k
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="w-1/2 float-start ps-1">
<div class="hp-fl p-4">
<div class="small text-muted">
Orders
</div>
<div class="text-xl font-semibold">
1.6k
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>A product image floated to the end of a card body with the description flowing around it.
Our food relief connects the whole team on the same page at a fair price.
<div class="card">
<div class="card-body hp-cf clearfix">
<img src="../assets/img/product-3.svg" alt="Meal pack" width="110" height="110" class="hp-fl float-end ms-4 rounded-md">
<h3 class="h6">Monthly gift</h3>
<p class="small mb-0">Our food relief connects the whole team on the same page at a fair price.</p>
</div>
</div>A classic two-column float layout: a floated nav box and a content box; clearfix closes the row.
This elegant project brings results you can measure from the very first day. Our clean water turns time back in your day without extra tools. This bright goal shows new ideas to life with friendly support.
<div class="hp-cf clearfix">
<nav class="hp-fl sm:float-start sm:me-4 mb-2 p-2" aria-label="Section">
<ul class="nav flex-col small">
<li class="nav-item"><a class="nav-link active py-1" aria-current="page" href="#">Overview</a></li>
<li class="nav-item"><a class="nav-link py-1" href="#">Members</a></li>
<li class="nav-item"><a class="nav-link py-1" href="#">Billing</a></li>
</ul>
</nav>
<div class="overflow-hidden">
<h3 class="h6">The practical goal checklist</h3>
<p class="small mb-0">This elegant project brings results you can measure from the very first day. Our clean water turns time back in your day without extra tools. This bright goal shows new ideas to life with friendly support.</p>
</div>
</div>