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 secure checkout turns your work organised without the usual hassle. Our 30-day returns shows results you can measure all year round. This bright goal gives your work organised in just a few clicks. Our gift wrapping lets you focused on what matters without the usual hassle.

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 secure checkout turns your work organised without the usual hassle. Our 30-day returns shows results you can measure all year round. This bright goal gives your work organised in just a few clicks. Our gift wrapping lets you focused on what matters without the usual hassle.
    </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 secure checkout turns your work organised without the usual hassle. Our 30-day returns shows results you can measure all year round. This bright goal gives your work organised in just a few clicks. Our gift wrapping lets you focused on what matters without the usual hassle.
    </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 secure checkout turns your work organised without the usual hassle. Our 30-day returns shows results you can measure all year round. This bright goal gives your work organised in just a few clicks. Our gift wrapping lets you focused on what matters without the usual hassle.
    </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 secure checkout turns your work organised without the usual hassle. Our 30-day returns shows results you can measure all year round. This bright goal gives your work organised in just a few clicks. Our gift wrapping lets you focused on what matters without the usual hassle.
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

2Horizontal scroll only

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

Loyalty rewards

Free shipping

30-day returns

Gift wrapping

<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">
      Loyalty rewards
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="fw-semibold small">
      Free shipping
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="fw-semibold small">
      Free shipping
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="fw-semibold small">
      30-day returns
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="fw-semibold small">
      Gift wrapping
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

3Vertical scroll only

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

Luna Carter
Mia Kim
Luna Sato
Noah Brennan
Priya Haddad
Lucas Carter

<ul class="list-unstyled border rounded-3 overflow-y-auto mb-0" style="max-height:150px">
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Luna Carter</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Mia Kim</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Luna Sato</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Noah Brennan</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Priya Haddad</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2">Lucas Carter</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-6110	Lea Delgado	Toronto	Apr 5, 2026	Shipped	$424.15
#INV-2734	Leo Patel	Barcelona	Oct 1, 2025	Draft	$202.91

<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-6110</td>
        <td>Lea Delgado</td>
        <td>Toronto</td>
        <td>Apr 5, 2026</td>
        <td>Shipped</td>
        <td>$424.15</td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>#INV-2734</td>
        <td>Leo Patel</td>
        <td>Barcelona</td>
        <td>Oct 1, 2025</td>
        <td>Draft</td>
        <td>$202.91</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-9 --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-9 --base ./ --sourcemap false --emptyOutDir</code></pre>

7Chat window

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

Our free shipping makes data easy to understand for teams of every size.

A clear plan gives new ideas to life on any device.

A focused goal guides time back in your day with friendly support.

A honest launch guides time back in your day in just a few clicks.

<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 free shipping makes data easy to understand for teams of every size.
    </div>
    <div class="align-self-end text-bg-primary rounded-3 px-2 py-1 small">
      A clear plan gives new ideas to life on any device.
    </div>
    <div class="align-self-start bg-body-tertiary rounded-3 px-2 py-1 small">
      A focused goal guides time back in your day with friendly support.
    </div>
    <div class="align-self-end text-bg-primary rounded-3 px-2 py-1 small">
      A honest launch guides time back in your day in just a few clicks.
    </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">Accessories</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-pill text-nowrap">insights</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-pill text-nowrap">Accessories</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">routine</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 practical dashboard shows complex tasks into simple steps on any device. The new member prices connects decisions quicker and clearer with friendly support. The new member prices makes data easy to understand at a fair price. This friendly process turns data easy to understand wherever you are.

This bright goal lets your work organised without extra tools. Our gift wrapping keeps every detail in view with friendly support. A flexible routine guides complex tasks into simple steps all year round. This simple team makes the whole team on the same page wherever you are.

A bright workflow guides time back in your day for teams of every size. Our loyalty rewards guides complex tasks into simple steps with friendly support. A reliable launch lets data easy to understand in just a few clicks.

<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 practical dashboard shows complex tasks into simple steps on any device. The new member prices connects decisions quicker and clearer with friendly support. The new member prices makes data easy to understand at a fair price. This friendly process turns data easy to understand wherever you are.</p>
  <p>This bright goal lets your work organised without extra tools. Our gift wrapping keeps every detail in view with friendly support. A flexible routine guides complex tasks into simple steps all year round. This simple team makes the whole team on the same page wherever you are.</p>
  <p class="mb-0">A bright workflow guides time back in your day for teams of every size. Our loyalty rewards guides complex tasks into simple steps with friendly support. A reliable launch lets data easy to understand in just a few clicks.</p>
</div>

10Visible overflow for a badge

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

overflow-hidden1

overflow-visible3

<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">1</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">3</span>
  </div>
</div>

11Hidden overflow for a cropped title

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

Everyday essentials, beautifully made - Our loyalty rewards keeps the whole team on the same page with friendly support.

May 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">
    Everyday essentials, beautifully made - Our loyalty rewards keeps the whole team on the same page with friendly support.
  </div>
  <div class="small text-body-secondary mt-1">
    May 25, 2026
  </div>
</div>

12Sidebar that scrolls separately

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

A fast process helps you focused on what matters all year round. This honest plan shows results you can measure 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">
    A fast process helps you focused on what matters all year round. This honest plan shows results you can measure 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-10.svg" alt="The fast routine 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

Free shipping

Loyalty rewards

30-day returns

Doing

Live order tracking

Done

Live order tracking

<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">
      Free shipping
    </div>
    <div class="bg-body border rounded-2 p-2 small mb-2">
      Loyalty rewards
    </div>
    <div class="bg-body border rounded-2 p-2 small">
      30-day returns
    </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">
      Live order tracking
    </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">
      Live order tracking
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

15Overflow-x hidden

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

The new hand-checked quality lets results you can measure on any device.

Panel partly off the edge

<div class="position-relative overflow-x-hidden border rounded-3 p-3" style="height:110px">
  <div class="small">
    The new hand-checked quality lets results you can measure on any device.
  </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 focused team lets the whole team on the same page all year round.

<div class="overflow-y-scroll border rounded-3 p-2 small" style="height:90px">
  A focused team lets the whole team on the same page all year round.
</div>

17Notification panel

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

Notifications

This friendly launch shows results you can measure all year round.

Our gift wrapping connects the whole team on the same page with friendly support.

The new sustainable materials shows your work organised all year round.

This simple story shows customers coming back 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">
      This friendly launch shows results you can measure all year round.
    </div>
    <div class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom small">
      Our gift wrapping connects the whole team on the same page with friendly support.
    </div>
    <div class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom small">
      The new sustainable materials shows your work organised all year round.
    </div>
    <div class="px-3 py-2 small">
      This simple story shows customers coming back 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.

Everyday essentials, beautifully made

This practical project shows you focused on what matters 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">Everyday essentials, beautifully made</h3>
  <p class="small mb-0 position-relative">This practical project shows you focused on what matters 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-9/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-9/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-9/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	47	95 GB	Email and chat	Unlimited	$35.75

<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>47</td>
        <td>95 GB</td>
        <td>Email and chat</td>
        <td>Unlimited</td>
        <td>$35.75</td>
      </tr>
    </tbody>
  </table>
</div>