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

This fast experience makes data easy to understand in just a few clicks. This bright team makes complex tasks into simple steps with friendly support. The new same-day appointments helps decisions quicker and clearer without the usual hassle. This simple update gives customers coming back in just a few clicks.

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">
      This fast experience makes data easy to understand in just a few clicks. This bright team makes complex tasks into simple steps with friendly support. The new same-day appointments helps decisions quicker and clearer without the usual hassle. This simple update gives customers coming back in just a few clicks.
    </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">
      This fast experience makes data easy to understand in just a few clicks. This bright team makes complex tasks into simple steps with friendly support. The new same-day appointments helps decisions quicker and clearer without the usual hassle. This simple update gives customers coming back in just a few clicks.
    </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">
      This fast experience makes data easy to understand in just a few clicks. This bright team makes complex tasks into simple steps with friendly support. The new same-day appointments helps decisions quicker and clearer without the usual hassle. This simple update gives customers coming back in just a few clicks.
    </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">
      This fast experience makes data easy to understand in just a few clicks. This bright team makes complex tasks into simple steps with friendly support. The new same-day appointments helps decisions quicker and clearer without the usual hassle. This simple update gives customers coming back in just a few clicks.
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

2Horizontal scroll only

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

Dental care

Lab tests

Dental care

Physiotherapy

<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">
      Dental care
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="fw-semibold small">
      Lab tests
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="fw-semibold small">
      Dental care
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="fw-semibold small">
      Physiotherapy
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="fw-semibold small">
      Physiotherapy
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

3Vertical scroll only

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

Nora Alvarez
Elena Mensah
Ava Novak
Ava Moreau
Jonah Duarte
Leo Nguyen

<ul class="list-unstyled border rounded-3 overflow-y-auto mb-0" style="max-height:150px">
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Nora Alvarez</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Elena Mensah</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Ava Novak</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Ava Moreau</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Jonah Duarte</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2">Leo Nguyen</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-2381	Chloe Lindqvist	Prague	Sep 13, 2026	On hold	$213.89
#ORD-9282	Isla Quinn	Toronto	Mar 2, 2026	Cancelled	$84.20

<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-2381</td>
        <td>Chloe Lindqvist</td>
        <td>Prague</td>
        <td>Sep 13, 2026</td>
        <td>On hold</td>
        <td>$213.89</td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>#ORD-9282</td>
        <td>Isla Quinn</td>
        <td>Toronto</td>
        <td>Mar 2, 2026</td>
        <td>Cancelled</td>
        <td>$84.20</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-1 --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-1 --base ./ --sourcemap false --emptyOutDir</code></pre>

7Chat window

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

The new family plans guides you focused on what matters from the very first day.

A powerful journey brings results you can measure without extra tools.

Our dental care makes projects moving forward all year round.

A friendly idea brings the whole team on the same page all year round.

<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">
      The new family plans guides you focused on what matters from the very first day.
    </div>
    <div class="align-self-end text-bg-primary rounded-3 px-2 py-1 small">
      A powerful journey brings results you can measure without extra tools.
    </div>
    <div class="align-self-start bg-body-tertiary rounded-3 px-2 py-1 small">
      Our dental care makes projects moving forward all year round.
    </div>
    <div class="align-self-end text-bg-primary rounded-3 px-2 py-1 small">
      A friendly idea brings the whole team on the same page all year round.
    </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">Cardiology</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-pill text-nowrap">how-to</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-pill text-nowrap">Pediatrics</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-pill text-nowrap">case study</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-pill text-nowrap">story</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-pill text-nowrap">reliable</a> 
</nav>

9Terms box

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

Terms of use

This honest release gives your work organised without the usual hassle. This practical goal connects every detail in view from the very first day. The new family plans brings customers coming back all year round. This powerful process turns complex tasks into simple steps for teams of every size.

This focused journey gives new ideas to life with friendly support. The new certified specialists turns decisions quicker and clearer for teams of every size. A elegant process turns customers coming back in just a few clicks. Our telehealth gives your work organised without extra tools.

Our health check-ups makes decisions quicker and clearer on any device. The new insurance friendly helps you focused on what matters all year round. This smart update keeps time back in your day on any device.

<div class="border rounded-3 p-3 overflow-auto small bg-body-tertiary" style="height:130px">
  <h3 class="h6">Terms of use</h3>
  <p>This honest release gives your work organised without the usual hassle. This practical goal connects every detail in view from the very first day. The new family plans brings customers coming back all year round. This powerful process turns complex tasks into simple steps for teams of every size.</p>
  <p>This focused journey gives new ideas to life with friendly support. The new certified specialists turns decisions quicker and clearer for teams of every size. A elegant process turns customers coming back in just a few clicks. Our telehealth gives your work organised without extra tools.</p>
  <p class="mb-0">Our health check-ups makes decisions quicker and clearer on any device. The new insurance friendly helps you focused on what matters all year round. This smart update keeps time back in your day on any device.</p>
</div>

10Visible overflow for a badge

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

overflow-hidden2

overflow-visible4

<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">2</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">4</span>
  </div>
</div>

11Hidden overflow for a cropped title

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

Your health, our priority - The new certified specialists makes every detail in view from the very first day.

Mar 2, 2026

<div class="border rounded-3 p-3" style="max-width:20rem">
  <div class="overflow-hidden fw-semibold lh-sm" style="height:2.5em">
    Your health, our priority - The new certified specialists makes every detail in view from the very first day.
  </div>
  <div class="small text-body-secondary mt-1">
    Mar 2, 2026
  </div>
</div>

12Sidebar that scrolls separately

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

The new same-day appointments shows decisions quicker and clearer in just a few clicks. Our health check-ups lets complex tasks into simple steps with friendly support.

<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">
    The new same-day appointments shows decisions quicker and clearer in just a few clicks. Our health check-ups lets complex tasks into simple steps with friendly support.
  </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-6.svg" alt="Inside the modern process" 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

Lab tests

General practice

Dental care

Doing

Health check-ups

Done

Telehealth

<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">
      Lab tests
    </div>
    <div class="bg-body border rounded-2 p-2 small mb-2">
      General practice
    </div>
    <div class="bg-body border rounded-2 p-2 small">
      Dental care
    </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">
      Health check-ups
    </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">
      Telehealth
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

15Overflow-x hidden

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

Our health check-ups gives data easy to understand for teams of every size.

Panel partly off the edge

<div class="position-relative overflow-x-hidden border rounded-3 p-3" style="height:110px">
  <div class="small">
    Our health check-ups gives data easy to understand for teams of every size.
  </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 dental care lets you focused on what matters all year round.

<div class="overflow-y-scroll border rounded-3 p-2 small" style="height:90px">
  Our dental care lets you focused on what matters all year round.
</div>

17Notification panel

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

Notifications

The new insurance friendly shows time back in your day wherever you are.

This simple project makes complex tasks into simple steps without extra tools.

This smart journey helps every detail in view in just a few clicks.

The new same-day appointments turns time back in your day wherever you are.

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">
      The new insurance friendly shows time back in your day wherever you are.
    </div>
    <div class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom small">
      This simple project makes complex tasks into simple steps without extra tools.
    </div>
    <div class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom small">
      This smart journey helps every detail in view in just a few clicks.
    </div>
    <div class="px-3 py-2 small">
      The new same-day appointments turns time back in your day wherever you are.
    </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.

Care that puts you first

This friendly update connects complex tasks into simple steps at a fair price.

<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">Care that puts you first</h3>
  <p class="small mb-0 position-relative">This friendly update connects complex tasks into simple steps at a fair price.</p>
</div>

19Long word handling

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

downloads/brand-name-1/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-1/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-1/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	22	182 GB	Email and chat	Unlimited	$77.95

<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>22</td>
        <td>182 GB</td>
        <td>Email and chat</td>
        <td>Unlimited</td>
        <td>$77.95</td>
      </tr>
    </tbody>
  </table>
</div>