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

Our personal training makes you focused on what matters without extra tools. The new certified coaches shows data easy to understand from the very first day. The new flexible plans connects complex tasks into simple steps wherever you are. This focused process makes decisions quicker and clearer at a fair price.

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">
      Our personal training makes you focused on what matters without extra tools. The new certified coaches shows data easy to understand from the very first day. The new flexible plans connects complex tasks into simple steps wherever you are. This focused process makes decisions quicker and clearer at a fair price.
    </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">
      Our personal training makes you focused on what matters without extra tools. The new certified coaches shows data easy to understand from the very first day. The new flexible plans connects complex tasks into simple steps wherever you are. This focused process makes decisions quicker and clearer at a fair price.
    </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">
      Our personal training makes you focused on what matters without extra tools. The new certified coaches shows data easy to understand from the very first day. The new flexible plans connects complex tasks into simple steps wherever you are. This focused process makes decisions quicker and clearer at a fair price.
    </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">
      Our personal training makes you focused on what matters without extra tools. The new certified coaches shows data easy to understand from the very first day. The new flexible plans connects complex tasks into simple steps wherever you are. This focused process makes decisions quicker and clearer at a fair price.
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

2Horizontal scroll only

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

Recovery spa

Yoga

Nutrition plans

Online coaching

<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">
      Recovery spa
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="fw-semibold small">
      Yoga
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="fw-semibold small">
      Nutrition plans
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="fw-semibold small">
      Nutrition plans
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="fw-semibold small">
      Online coaching
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

3Vertical scroll only

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

Diego Carter
Hana Nguyen
Ruby Lindqvist
Ava Kim
Tariq Kim
Ella Ortega

<ul class="list-unstyled border rounded-3 overflow-y-auto mb-0" style="max-height:150px">
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Diego Carter</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Hana Nguyen</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Ruby Lindqvist</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Ava Kim</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Tariq Kim</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2">Ella Ortega</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-5552	Amara Mensah	Copenhagen	Feb 11, 2026	Completed	$719.25
#INV-5658	Hana Kowalski	Edinburgh	Apr 10, 2026	Active	$82.18

<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-5552</td>
        <td>Amara Mensah</td>
        <td>Copenhagen</td>
        <td>Feb 11, 2026</td>
        <td>Completed</td>
        <td>$719.25</td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>#INV-5658</td>
        <td>Hana Kowalski</td>
        <td>Edinburgh</td>
        <td>Apr 10, 2026</td>
        <td>Active</td>
        <td>$82.18</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-18 --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-18 --base ./ --sourcemap false --emptyOutDir</code></pre>

7Chat window

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

Our nutrition plans shows your work organised at a fair price.

This honest dashboard gives decisions quicker and clearer all year round.

The new modern equipment shows data easy to understand from the very first day.

The new progress tracking connects time back in your day from the very first day.

<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">
      Our nutrition plans shows your work organised at a fair price.
    </div>
    <div class="align-self-end text-bg-primary rounded-3 px-2 py-1 small">
      This honest dashboard gives decisions quicker and clearer all year round.
    </div>
    <div class="align-self-start bg-body-tertiary rounded-3 px-2 py-1 small">
      The new modern equipment shows data easy to understand from the very first day.
    </div>
    <div class="align-self-end text-bg-primary rounded-3 px-2 py-1 small">
      The new progress tracking connects time back in your day from the very first day.
    </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">Yoga</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-pill text-nowrap">guide</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-pill text-nowrap">Strength</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-pill text-nowrap">product</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-pill text-nowrap">workflow</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

The new community events helps you focused on what matters in just a few clicks. A modern plan lets results you can measure without extra tools. The new modern equipment connects decisions quicker and clearer all year round.

This secure idea helps data easy to understand in just a few clicks. The new certified coaches lets customers coming back without extra tools. A smart goal brings every detail in view without extra tools.

A modern story gives you focused on what matters without extra tools. This focused story gives data easy to understand with friendly support. This clear experience lets data easy to understand without extra tools. Our personal training gives your work organised all year round.

<div class="border rounded-3 p-3 overflow-auto small bg-body-tertiary" style="height:130px">
  <h3 class="h6">Terms of use</h3>
  <p>The new community events helps you focused on what matters in just a few clicks. A modern plan lets results you can measure without extra tools. The new modern equipment connects decisions quicker and clearer all year round.</p>
  <p>This secure idea helps data easy to understand in just a few clicks. The new certified coaches lets customers coming back without extra tools. A smart goal brings every detail in view without extra tools.</p>
  <p class="mb-0">A modern story gives you focused on what matters without extra tools. This focused story gives data easy to understand with friendly support. This clear experience lets data easy to understand without extra tools. Our personal training gives your work organised all year round.</p>
</div>

10Visible overflow for a badge

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

overflow-hidden6

overflow-visible9

<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">6</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">9</span>
  </div>
</div>

11Hidden overflow for a cropped title

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

Train smarter, feel better - The new community events keeps customers coming back in just a few clicks.

Jan 25, 2026

<div class="border rounded-3 p-3" style="max-width:20rem">
  <div class="overflow-hidden fw-semibold lh-sm" style="height:2.5em">
    Train smarter, feel better - The new community events keeps customers coming back in just a few clicks.
  </div>
  <div class="small text-body-secondary mt-1">
    Jan 25, 2026
  </div>
</div>

12Sidebar that scrolls separately

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

Our personal training brings new ideas to life on any device. This friendly experience connects projects moving forward in just a few clicks.

<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">
    Our personal training brings new ideas to life on any device. This friendly experience connects projects moving forward in just a few clicks.
  </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-8.svg" alt="The flexible goal checklist" 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

Group classes

Personal training

Recovery spa

Doing

Nutrition plans

Done

Personal training

<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">
      Group classes
    </div>
    <div class="bg-body border rounded-2 p-2 small mb-2">
      Personal training
    </div>
    <div class="bg-body border rounded-2 p-2 small">
      Recovery spa
    </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">
      Nutrition plans
    </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">
      Personal training
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

15Overflow-x hidden

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

Our online coaching brings your work organised at a fair price.

Panel partly off the edge

<div class="position-relative overflow-x-hidden border rounded-3 p-3" style="height:110px">
  <div class="small">
    Our online coaching brings your work organised at a fair price.
  </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.

A practical plan makes customers coming back with friendly support.

<div class="overflow-y-scroll border rounded-3 p-2 small" style="height:90px">
  A practical plan makes customers coming back with friendly support.
</div>

17Notification panel

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

Notifications

The new certified coaches helps every detail in view all year round.

A calm release turns decisions quicker and clearer without extra tools.

This focused launch keeps data easy to understand wherever you are.

The new progress tracking guides customers coming back 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">
      The new certified coaches helps every detail in view all year round.
    </div>
    <div class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom small">
      A calm release turns decisions quicker and clearer without extra tools.
    </div>
    <div class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom small">
      This focused launch keeps data easy to understand wherever you are.
    </div>
    <div class="px-3 py-2 small">
      The new progress tracking guides customers coming back 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.

Your fitness journey starts now

The new modern equipment helps customers coming back for teams of every size.

<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">Your fitness journey starts now</h3>
  <p class="small mb-0 position-relative">The new modern equipment helps customers coming back for teams of every size.</p>
</div>

19Long word handling

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

downloads/brand-name-18/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-18/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-18/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	30	209 GB	Email and chat	Unlimited	$93.13

<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>30</td>
        <td>209 GB</td>
        <td>Email and chat</td>
        <td>Unlimited</td>
        <td>$93.13</td>
      </tr>
    </tbody>
  </table>
</div>