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-body-secondary 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 fw-semibold mb-1">Without .clearfix</p>
<div class="overflow-hidden pb-5">
<div class="hp-cf">
<div class="hp-fl float-start px-3 py-4">
Float
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="col-sm-6">
<p class="small fw-semibold mb-1">With .clearfix</p>
<div class="hp-cf clearfix">
<div class="hp-fl float-start px-3 py-4">
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.
Customer Success, Barcelona
This paragraph starts below the avatar, not beside it.
<div class="hp-cf clearfix">
<img src="../assets/img/avatar-5.svg" alt="Leo Duarte" width="72" height="72" class="hp-fl rounded-circle float-start me-3 mb-2">
<h3 class="h6 mb-1">Leo Duarte</h3>
<p class="small text-body-secondary mb-0">Customer Success, Barcelona</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 fw-semibold">30-day returns</span> <span class="badge text-bg-success float-end mt-1">Completed</span>
</div>
<div class="card-body small">
The new secure payments connects customers coming back for teams of every size.
</div>
</div>A floated button group and a floated search field share one toolbar row.
<div class="hp-cf clearfix bg-body-tertiary">
<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="visually-hidden" 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">Canvas tote</span><span class="hp-fl float-end px-2 fw-semibold">$182.00</span></li>
<li class="list-group-item hp-cf clearfix"><span class="hp-fl float-start px-2">Ceramic mug</span><span class="hp-fl float-end px-2 fw-semibold">$457.00</span></li>
<li class="list-group-item hp-cf clearfix"><span class="hp-fl float-start px-2">Running cap</span><span class="hp-fl float-end px-2 fw-semibold">$16.00</span></li>
<li class="list-group-item hp-cf clearfix"><span class="hp-fl float-start px-2">Linen shirt</span><span class="hp-fl float-end px-2 fw-semibold">$306.00</span></li>
</ul>A quote floated to the end of the paragraph; the article wrapper is cleared so the next section starts below.
"Quality goods delivered to your door"
The new secure payments connects data easy to understand in just a few clicks. This elegant launch gives your work organised with friendly support. Our live order tracking helps results you can measure with friendly support. Our loyalty rewards helps your work organised without extra tools.
Our live order tracking makes the whole team on the same page from the very first day.
<article class="hp-cf clearfix">
<blockquote class="hp-fl float-sm-end ms-sm-3 mb-2 p-3 fs-6 fst-italic">"Quality goods delivered to your door"</blockquote>
<p class="mb-2">The new secure payments connects data easy to understand in just a few clicks. This elegant launch gives your work organised with friendly support. Our live order tracking helps results you can measure with friendly support. Our loyalty rewards helps your work organised without extra tools.</p>
<p class="mb-0">Our live order tracking makes the whole team on the same page from the very first day.</p>
</article>
<h3 class="h6 mt-3 mb-0">Next section starts on a clean line</h3>A comment row with a floated avatar and a floated time stamp.
57 min ago
Chloe Morgan
Our free shipping gives decisions quicker and clearer for teams of every size.
<div class="hp-cf clearfix">
<img src="../assets/img/avatar-8.svg" alt="Chloe Morgan" width="40" height="40" class="rounded-circle float-start me-2"> <small class="hp-fl float-end px-2 text-body-secondary">57 min ago</small> <strong class="d-block">Chloe Morgan</strong>
<p class="small mb-0">Our free shipping gives decisions quicker and clearer for teams of every size.</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 float-md-start p-3 mb-2 mb-md-0">
<i class="bi bi-clock-fill" aria-hidden="true"></i> Opening hours: 13:30
</div>
<div class="hp-fl float-md-end p-3">
<i class="bi bi-geo-alt-fill" aria-hidden="true"></i> Montreal
</div>
</div>Copyright floated left and social links floated right in a page footer.
<footer class="hp-cf clearfix border-top pt-3 small">
<p class="float-start mb-0">© 2026 Brand name 9</p>
<ul class="list-inline float-end mb-0">
<li class="list-inline-item"><a href="#" aria-label="Email"><i class="bi bi-envelope-fill" aria-hidden="true"></i></a></li>
<li class="list-inline-item"><a href="#" aria-label="Chat"><i class="bi bi-chat-dots-fill" aria-hidden="true"></i></a></li>
<li class="list-inline-item"><a href="#" aria-label="Location"><i class="bi bi-geo-alt-fill" 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 | $497.00 |
|---|---|
| Tax | $34.79 |
| Total | $531.79 |
Thank you for your order #INV-9516.
<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">$497.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th scope="row">Tax</th>
<td class="text-end">$34.79</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th scope="row">Total</th>
<td class="text-end fw-bold">$531.79</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<p class="small text-body-secondary mt-2 mb-0">Thank you for your order #INV-9516.</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"><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"><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"><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"><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"><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">
</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-3">
<label class="form-label" for="hp-name-1232">Display name</label>
<input class="form-control" id="hp-name-1232" type="text" value="Omar Varga">
</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-pill text-bg-light border float-start me-1 mb-1">#release</span><span class="badge rounded-pill text-bg-light border float-start me-1 mb-1">#tips</span><span class="badge rounded-pill text-bg-light border float-start me-1 mb-1">#update</span><span class="badge rounded-pill text-bg-light border float-start me-1 mb-1">#design</span><span class="badge rounded-pill text-bg-light border float-start me-1 mb-1">#news</span><span class="badge rounded-pill text-bg-light border float-start me-1 mb-1">#community</span>
</div>An icon floated left, a time stamp floated right and the message in between.
This practical team makes your work organised without extra tools.
<div class="hp-cf clearfix bg-body">
<span class="hp-fl float-start me-2 px-2 py-1 text-primary"><i class="bi bi-bell-fill" aria-hidden="true"></i></span> <small class="float-end text-body-secondary">57 min ago</small>
<p class="small mb-0">This practical team makes your work organised without extra tools.</p>
</div>A floated badge in the top corner of a pricing card body.
$58.99
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">$58.99</p>
<p class="small text-body-secondary 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">Accessories</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-50 float-start pe-1">
<div class="hp-fl p-3">
<div class="small text-body-secondary">
Visitors
</div>
<div class="fs-4 fw-semibold">
54.5k
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="w-50 float-start ps-1">
<div class="hp-fl p-3">
<div class="small text-body-secondary">
Orders
</div>
<div class="fs-4 fw-semibold">
3.8k
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>A product image floated to the end of a card body with the description flowing around it.
A flexible team helps time back in your day in just a few clicks.
<div class="card">
<div class="card-body hp-cf clearfix">
<img src="../assets/img/product-3.svg" alt="Leather wallet" width="110" height="110" class="hp-fl float-end ms-3 rounded">
<h3 class="h6">Glass bottle</h3>
<p class="small mb-0">A flexible team helps time back in your day in just a few clicks.</p>
</div>
</div>A classic two-column float layout: a floated nav box and a content box; clearfix closes the row.
This fast dashboard brings time back in your day for teams of every size. The new carbon-neutral delivery helps time back in your day in just a few clicks. Our loyalty rewards makes results you can measure all year round.
<div class="hp-cf clearfix">
<nav class="hp-fl float-sm-start me-sm-3 mb-2 p-2" aria-label="Section">
<ul class="nav flex-column 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">Inside the powerful story</h3>
<p class="small mb-0">This fast dashboard brings time back in your day for teams of every size. The new carbon-neutral delivery helps time back in your day in just a few clicks. Our loyalty rewards makes results you can measure all year round.</p>
</div>
</div>