Overflow

Overflow utilities control what happens when content is bigger than its box: overflow-auto scrolls when needed, overflow-hidden clips, overflow-visible lets content spill and overflow-scroll always shows scrollbars. overflow-x-* and overflow-y-* handle each axis separately, ideal for wide tables and side-scrolling rows.

1The four overflow values

overflow-auto, overflow-hidden, overflow-visible and overflow-scroll on boxes of fixed height.

overflow-auto

The new no hidden fees makes new ideas to life with friendly support. A friendly goal turns new ideas to life on any device. This elegant dashboard keeps new ideas to life from the very first day. This focused team guides decisions quicker and clearer without extra tools.

overflow-hidden

overflow-visible

overflow-scroll

<div class="row g-3 small">
  <div class="col-6 col-md-3">
    <code>overflow-auto</code>
    <div class="overflow-auto border rounded-3 p-2 bg-body-tertiary" style="height:100px">
      The new no hidden fees makes new ideas to life with friendly support. A friendly goal turns new ideas to life on any device. This elegant dashboard keeps new ideas to life from the very first day. This focused team guides decisions quicker and clearer without extra tools.
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="col-6 col-md-3">
    <code>overflow-hidden</code>
    <div class="overflow-hidden border rounded-3 p-2 bg-body-tertiary" style="height:100px">
      The new no hidden fees makes new ideas to life with friendly support. A friendly goal turns new ideas to life on any device. This elegant dashboard keeps new ideas to life from the very first day. This focused team guides decisions quicker and clearer without extra tools.
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="col-6 col-md-3">
    <code>overflow-visible</code>
    <div class="overflow-visible border rounded-3 p-2 bg-body-tertiary mb-5" style="height:100px">
      The new no hidden fees makes new ideas to life with friendly support. A friendly goal turns new ideas to life on any device. This elegant dashboard keeps new ideas to life from the very first day. This focused team guides decisions quicker and clearer without extra tools.
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="col-6 col-md-3">
    <code>overflow-scroll</code>
    <div class="overflow-scroll border rounded-3 p-2 bg-body-tertiary" style="height:100px">
      The new no hidden fees makes new ideas to life with friendly support. A friendly goal turns new ideas to life on any device. This elegant dashboard keeps new ideas to life from the very first day. This focused team guides decisions quicker and clearer without extra tools.
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

2Horizontal scroll only

overflow-x-auto with flex-nowrap scrolls a row of cards sideways.

Invoicing

Multi-currency wallets

Corporate cards

Expense tracking

Corporate cards

<div class="d-flex flex-nowrap gap-2 overflow-x-auto pb-2">
  <div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="fw-semibold small">
      Invoicing
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="fw-semibold small">
      Multi-currency wallets
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="fw-semibold small">
      Corporate cards
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="fw-semibold small">
      Expense tracking
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="fw-semibold small">
      Corporate cards
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

3Vertical scroll only

overflow-y-auto and a max-height make a scrolling list.

Ava Nguyen
Theo Sato
Ruby Silva
Ravi Haddad
Jonah Ashford
Ethan Okafor

<ul class="list-unstyled border rounded-3 overflow-y-auto mb-0" style="max-height:150px">
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Ava Nguyen</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Theo Sato</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Ruby Silva</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Ravi Haddad</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Jonah Ashford</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2">Ethan Okafor</li>
</ul>

4Hidden to clip rounded corners

overflow-hidden on a rounded card clips the image corners.

without

overflow-hidden

<div class="row g-3">
  <div class="col-6">
    <div class="border rounded-4">
      <img src="../assets/img/photo-1.svg" alt="Not clipped" class="w-100 d-block">
      <div class="p-2 small">
        without
      </div>
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="col-6">
    <div class="border rounded-4 overflow-hidden">
      <img src="../assets/img/photo-2.svg" alt="Clipped" class="w-100 d-block">
      <div class="p-2 small">
        overflow-hidden
      </div>
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

5Wide table

A wide table inside overflow-x-auto scrolls instead of breaking the page.

Order	Customer	City	Date	Status	Total
#INV-5147	Kai Mensah	Valencia	Jan 14, 2026	Completed	$628.50
#TX-2815	Ethan Rossi	Vancouver	Sep 16, 2026	On hold	$61.85

<div class="overflow-x-auto border rounded-3">
  <table class="table table-sm mb-0 text-nowrap">
    <thead>
      <tr>
        <th scope="col">Order</th>
        <th scope="col">Customer</th>
        <th scope="col">City</th>
        <th scope="col">Date</th>
        <th scope="col">Status</th>
        <th scope="col">Total</th>
      </tr>
    </thead>
    <tbody>
      <tr>
        <td>#INV-5147</td>
        <td>Kai Mensah</td>
        <td>Valencia</td>
        <td>Jan 14, 2026</td>
        <td>Completed</td>
        <td>$628.50</td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>#TX-2815</td>
        <td>Ethan Rossi</td>
        <td>Vancouver</td>
        <td>Sep 16, 2026</td>
        <td>On hold</td>
        <td>$61.85</td>
      </tr>
    </tbody>
  </table>
</div>

6Code block that scrolls

Long lines in a pre with overflow-x-auto stay on one line.

npm run build -- --mode production --out-dir dist/brand-name-2 --base ./ --sourcemap false --emptyOutDir

<pre class="overflow-x-auto bg-body-tertiary border rounded-3 p-3 small mb-0"><code>npm run build -- --mode production --out-dir dist/brand-name-2 --base ./ --sourcemap false --emptyOutDir</code></pre>

7Chat window

A fixed height message area with overflow-y-auto above a fixed input.

This modern story keeps results you can measure in just a few clicks.

This focused launch keeps new ideas to life wherever you are.

This flexible team makes the whole team on the same page on any device.

This modern idea gives customers coming back at a fair price.

<div class="border rounded-4 d-flex flex-column" style="height:220px;max-width:22rem">
  <div class="overflow-y-auto p-3 d-flex flex-column gap-2 flex-grow-1">
    <div class="align-self-start bg-body-tertiary rounded-3 px-2 py-1 small">
      This modern story keeps results you can measure in just a few clicks.
    </div>
    <div class="align-self-end text-bg-primary rounded-3 px-2 py-1 small">
      This focused launch keeps new ideas to life wherever you are.
    </div>
    <div class="align-self-start bg-body-tertiary rounded-3 px-2 py-1 small">
      This flexible team makes the whole team on the same page on any device.
    </div>
    <div class="align-self-end text-bg-primary rounded-3 px-2 py-1 small">
      This modern idea gives customers coming back at a fair price.
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border-top p-2">
    <label class="visually-hidden" for="ut-msg-1253">Message</label>
    <input id="ut-msg-1253" type="text" class="form-control form-control-sm" placeholder="Type a message">
  </div>
</div>

8Scrollable tab strip

Pills in a flex-nowrap row with overflow-x-auto for many categories.

<nav class="d-flex flex-nowrap gap-2 overflow-x-auto pb-1" aria-label="Categories">
  <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-primary rounded-pill text-nowrap">All</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-pill text-nowrap">Payments</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-pill text-nowrap">tutorial</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-pill text-nowrap">Payroll</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-pill text-nowrap">release</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-pill text-nowrap">community</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-pill text-nowrap">powerful</a> 
</nav>

9Terms box

A long text inside a bordered box with overflow-auto, like a licence agreement.

Terms of use

A elegant goal brings the whole team on the same page with friendly support. A simple plan turns projects moving forward without the usual hassle. The new spending limits shows results you can measure with friendly support. A modern idea turns results you can measure without extra tools.

The new accounting sync lets results you can measure without extra tools. Our multi-currency wallets connects results you can measure in just a few clicks. The new instant notifications connects projects moving forward with friendly support.

Our invoicing lets your work organised without the usual hassle. Our payroll turns new ideas to life without the usual hassle. Our business accounts connects results you can measure all year round. A clear update guides your work organised for teams of every size.

<div class="border rounded-3 p-3 overflow-auto small bg-body-tertiary" style="height:130px">
  <h3 class="h6">Terms of use</h3>
  <p>A elegant goal brings the whole team on the same page with friendly support. A simple plan turns projects moving forward without the usual hassle. The new spending limits shows results you can measure with friendly support. A modern idea turns results you can measure without extra tools.</p>
  <p>The new accounting sync lets results you can measure without extra tools. Our multi-currency wallets connects results you can measure in just a few clicks. The new instant notifications connects projects moving forward with friendly support.</p>
  <p class="mb-0">Our invoicing lets your work organised without the usual hassle. Our payroll turns new ideas to life without the usual hassle. Our business accounts connects results you can measure all year round. A clear update guides your work organised for teams of every size.</p>
</div>

10Visible overflow for a badge

overflow-visible lets a badge stick out of a box that would otherwise clip it.

overflow-hidden9

overflow-visible7

<div class="d-flex gap-4 pt-2">
  <div class="position-relative overflow-hidden border rounded-3 p-3 small">
    overflow-hidden<span class="position-absolute top-0 start-100 translate-middle badge rounded-pill text-bg-danger">9</span>
  </div>
  <div class="position-relative overflow-visible border rounded-3 p-3 small">
    overflow-visible<span class="position-absolute top-0 start-100 translate-middle badge rounded-pill text-bg-danger">7</span>
  </div>
</div>

11Hidden overflow for a cropped title

overflow-hidden with a fixed height clips long text to two lines worth of space.

Banking built for the way you work - This clear project shows new ideas to life from the very first day.

Apr 10, 2026

<div class="border rounded-3 p-3" style="max-width:20rem">
  <div class="overflow-hidden fw-semibold lh-sm" style="height:2.5em">
    Banking built for the way you work - This clear project shows new ideas to life from the very first day.
  </div>
  <div class="small text-body-secondary mt-1">
    Apr 10, 2026
  </div>
</div>

12Sidebar that scrolls separately

The nav column scrolls with overflow-y-auto while the content stays put.

This elegant dashboard helps projects moving forward at a fair price. Our expense tracking keeps results you can measure all year round.

<div class="d-flex border rounded-3" style="height:180px">
  <nav class="overflow-y-auto border-end p-2 small flex-shrink-0" style="width:130px" aria-label="Chapters">
    <a href="#" class="d-block py-1">Intro</a><a href="#" class="d-block py-1">Setup</a><a href="#" class="d-block py-1">Layout</a> <a href="#" class="d-block py-1">Colours</a><a href="#" class="d-block py-1">Forms</a><a href="#" class="d-block py-1">Tables</a> <a href="#" class="d-block py-1">Charts</a><a href="#" class="d-block py-1">Deploy</a> 
  </nav>
  <div class="p-3 small">
    This elegant dashboard helps projects moving forward at a fair price. Our expense tracking keeps results you can measure all year round.
  </div>
</div>

13Image pan area

A large image in an overflow-auto box can be scrolled in both directions.

<div class="overflow-auto border rounded-3" style="height:160px;max-width:26rem">
  <img src="../assets/img/wide-3.svg" alt="4 lessons from our workflow" width="900" height="394" class="d-block"> 
</div>

14Kanban columns

Columns side by side in overflow-x-auto, each column scrolls with overflow-y-auto.

To do

Invoicing

Business accounts

Payroll

Doing

Business accounts

Done

Business accounts

<div class="d-flex gap-2 overflow-x-auto pb-1">
  <div class="bg-body-tertiary rounded-3 p-2 flex-shrink-0 overflow-y-auto" style="width:170px;max-height:180px">
    <div class="small fw-semibold mb-2">
      To do
    </div>
    <div class="bg-body border rounded-2 p-2 small mb-2">
      Invoicing
    </div>
    <div class="bg-body border rounded-2 p-2 small mb-2">
      Business accounts
    </div>
    <div class="bg-body border rounded-2 p-2 small">
      Payroll
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="bg-body-tertiary rounded-3 p-2 flex-shrink-0 overflow-y-auto" style="width:170px;max-height:180px">
    <div class="small fw-semibold mb-2">
      Doing
    </div>
    <div class="bg-body border rounded-2 p-2 small">
      Business accounts
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="bg-body-tertiary rounded-3 p-2 flex-shrink-0 overflow-y-auto" style="width:170px;max-height:180px">
    <div class="small fw-semibold mb-2">
      Done
    </div>
    <div class="bg-body border rounded-2 p-2 small">
      Business accounts
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

15Overflow-x hidden

overflow-x-hidden hides content that slides in from the side, like an off-screen panel.

Our business accounts lets you focused on what matters from the very first day.

Panel partly off the edge

<div class="position-relative overflow-x-hidden border rounded-3 p-3" style="height:110px">
  <div class="small">
    Our business accounts lets you focused on what matters from the very first day.
  </div>
  <div class="position-absolute top-0 bg-primary-subtle h-100 p-2 small" style="left:90%;width:200px">
    Panel partly off the edge
  </div>
</div>

16Overflow-y scroll always

overflow-y-scroll always shows the vertical scrollbar, so the width never jumps.

Our payroll gives results you can measure all year round.

<div class="overflow-y-scroll border rounded-3 p-2 small" style="height:90px">
  Our payroll gives results you can measure all year round.
</div>

17Notification panel

A dropdown-like panel with header, scrolling body and footer.

Notifications

A reliable journey makes data easy to understand for teams of every size.

A flexible story makes decisions quicker and clearer in just a few clicks.

A secure team makes customers coming back with friendly support.

A powerful team makes the whole team on the same page without the usual hassle.

View all

<div class="border rounded-3 shadow-sm d-flex flex-column" style="max-width:20rem;height:220px">
  <div class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom fw-semibold small">
    Notifications
  </div>
  <div class="overflow-y-auto flex-grow-1">
    <div class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom small">
      A reliable journey makes data easy to understand for teams of every size.
    </div>
    <div class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom small">
      A flexible story makes decisions quicker and clearer in just a few clicks.
    </div>
    <div class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom small">
      A secure team makes customers coming back with friendly support.
    </div>
    <div class="px-3 py-2 small">
      A powerful team makes the whole team on the same page without the usual hassle.
    </div>
  </div>
  <a href="#" class="px-3 py-2 border-top small text-center">View all</a> 
</div>

18Clip a decorative shape

A big circle partly outside its panel is cut off by overflow-hidden.

Smarter payments for growing companies

A honest experience guides time back in your day without extra tools.

<div class="position-relative overflow-hidden text-bg-primary rounded-4 p-4">
  <div class="position-absolute bg-white bg-opacity-25 rounded-circle" style="width:180px;height:180px;right:-60px;top:-60px">
  </div>
  <h3 class="h5 position-relative">Smarter payments for growing companies</h3>
  <p class="small mb-0 position-relative">A honest experience guides time back in your day without extra tools.</p>
</div>

19Long word handling

overflow-hidden plus text-truncate versus text-break for an unbreakable string.

downloads/brand-name-2/assets/very-long-file-name-without-any-spaces-at-all.zip

<div class="row g-2 small">
  <div class="col-sm-6">
    <div class="border rounded-3 p-2 text-truncate">
      downloads/brand-name-2/assets/very-long-file-name-without-any-spaces-at-all.zip
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="col-sm-6">
    <div class="border rounded-3 p-2 text-break">
      downloads/brand-name-2/assets/very-long-file-name-without-any-spaces-at-all.zip
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

20Responsive table wrapper

table-responsive is the helper made of overflow-x-auto for tables.

Plan	Users	Storage	Support	API	Price
Pro	14	471 GB	Email and chat	Unlimited	$70.33

<div class="table-responsive border rounded-3">
  <table class="table table-sm mb-0 text-nowrap">
    <thead>
      <tr>
        <th scope="col">Plan</th>
        <th scope="col">Users</th>
        <th scope="col">Storage</th>
        <th scope="col">Support</th>
        <th scope="col">API</th>
        <th scope="col">Price</th>
      </tr>
    </thead>
    <tbody>
      <tr>
        <td>Pro</td>
        <td>14</td>
        <td>471 GB</td>
        <td>Email and chat</td>
        <td>Unlimited</td>
        <td>$70.33</td>
      </tr>
    </tbody>
  </table>
</div>