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

Thousands of buyers already trust us, and we work hard to keep it that way. Our rental team manages repairs, payments and tenants for landlords. We keep things simple, so you can focus on what matters to you. Friendly people answer your questions quickly, by phone, chat or email.

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">
      Thousands of buyers already trust us, and we work hard to keep it that way. Our rental team manages repairs, payments and tenants for landlords. We keep things simple, so you can focus on what matters to you. Friendly people answer your questions quickly, by phone, chat or email.
    </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">
      Thousands of buyers already trust us, and we work hard to keep it that way. Our rental team manages repairs, payments and tenants for landlords. We keep things simple, so you can focus on what matters to you. Friendly people answer your questions quickly, by phone, chat or email.
    </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">
      Thousands of buyers already trust us, and we work hard to keep it that way. Our rental team manages repairs, payments and tenants for landlords. We keep things simple, so you can focus on what matters to you. Friendly people answer your questions quickly, by phone, chat or email.
    </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">
      Thousands of buyers already trust us, and we work hard to keep it that way. Our rental team manages repairs, payments and tenants for landlords. We keep things simple, so you can focus on what matters to you. Friendly people answer your questions quickly, by phone, chat or email.
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

2Horizontal scroll only

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

Legal support

Rental management

Property search

Rental management

<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">
      Legal support
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="fw-semibold small">
      Legal support
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="fw-semibold small">
      Rental management
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="fw-semibold small">
      Property search
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="fw-semibold small">
      Rental management
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

3Vertical scroll only

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

Owen Alvarez
Ella Larsen
Isla Whitaker
Finn Mensah
Diego Quinn
Felix Haddad

<ul class="list-unstyled border rounded-3 overflow-y-auto mb-0" style="max-height:150px">
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Owen Alvarez</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Ella Larsen</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Isla Whitaker</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Finn Mensah</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Diego Quinn</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2">Felix Haddad</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="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1580587771525-78b9dba3b914?auto=format&fit=crop&w=1200&h=800&q=70" 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="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1600596542815-ffad4c1539a9?auto=format&fit=crop&w=1200&h=800&q=70" 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
#ORD-5870	Zoe Ashford	Montreal	May 22, 2026	Active	$395.28
#TX-3636	Liam Fischer	Seoul	Oct 9, 2026	Completed	$554.55

<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>#ORD-5870</td>
        <td>Zoe Ashford</td>
        <td>Montreal</td>
        <td>May 22, 2026</td>
        <td>Active</td>
        <td>$395.28</td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>#TX-3636</td>
        <td>Liam Fischer</td>
        <td>Seoul</td>
        <td>Oct 9, 2026</td>
        <td>Completed</td>
        <td>$554.55</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/fable-nest --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/fable-nest --base ./ --sourcemap false --emptyOutDir</code></pre>

7Chat window

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

Every listing is checked by our team, so the photos match what you see in person.

We measure success by how many buyers come back and tell their friends.

We handle the paperwork, so you can focus on planning the move.

Our local agents know every street, school and coffee shop in the area.

<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">
      Every listing is checked by our team, so the photos match what you see in person.
    </div>
    <div class="align-self-end text-bg-primary rounded-3 px-2 py-1 small">
      We measure success by how many buyers come back and tell their friends.
    </div>
    <div class="align-self-start bg-body-tertiary rounded-3 px-2 py-1 small">
      We handle the paperwork, so you can focus on planning the move.
    </div>
    <div class="align-self-end text-bg-primary rounded-3 px-2 py-1 small">
      Our local agents know every street, school and coffee shop in the area.
    </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">Villas</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">Land</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-pill text-nowrap">news</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-pill text-nowrap">goal</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-pill text-nowrap">friendly</a> 
</nav>

9Terms box

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

Terms of use

Get a free, no-obligation valuation of your home within 48 hours. Book viewings online and take a 3D tour before you leave the house. We listen first, then build a plan around what you actually need.

Every detail is handled by people who care about getting it right. Sellers get professional photos, floor plans and a marketing plan included. Start in minutes and get help from a real person whenever you need it.

Price alerts tell you the moment a home that fits your search comes on the market. Honest advice comes first, even when it means waiting for the right home. Our team has done this many times, so you never have to guess. Most of our homes sell within six weeks, often above the asking price.

<div class="border rounded-3 p-3 overflow-auto small bg-body-tertiary" style="height:130px">
  <h3 class="h6">Terms of use</h3>
  <p>Get a free, no-obligation valuation of your home within 48 hours. Book viewings online and take a 3D tour before you leave the house. We listen first, then build a plan around what you actually need.</p>
  <p>Every detail is handled by people who care about getting it right. Sellers get professional photos, floor plans and a marketing plan included. Start in minutes and get help from a real person whenever you need it.</p>
  <p class="mb-0">Price alerts tell you the moment a home that fits your search comes on the market. Honest advice comes first, even when it means waiting for the right home. Our team has done this many times, so you never have to guess. Most of our homes sell within six weeks, often above the asking price.</p>
</div>

10Visible overflow for a badge

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

overflow-hidden4

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">4</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.

Properties with character, agents with heart - Mortgage advisors help you understand what you can afford before you start.

Apr 20, 2026

<div class="border rounded-3 p-3" style="max-width:20rem">
  <div class="overflow-hidden fw-semibold lh-sm" style="height:2.5em">
    Properties with character, agents with heart - Mortgage advisors help you understand what you can afford before you start.
  </div>
  <div class="small text-body-secondary mt-1">
    Apr 20, 2026
  </div>
</div>

12Sidebar that scrolls separately

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

Neighbourhood guides cover transport, schools and things to do. Sellers get professional photos, floor plans and a marketing plan included.

<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">
    Neighbourhood guides cover transport, schools and things to do. Sellers get professional photos, floor plans and a marketing plan included.
  </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="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1670589953882-b94c9cb380f5?auto=format&fit=crop&w=1600&h=700&q=70" alt="How we sold a lake cottage in nine days" 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

Legal support

Property search

Doing

Legal support

Done

Home valuation

<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">
      Legal support
    </div>
    <div class="bg-body border rounded-2 p-2 small mb-2">
      Legal support
    </div>
    <div class="bg-body border rounded-2 p-2 small">
      Property search
    </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">
      Legal support
    </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">
      Home valuation
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

15Overflow-x hidden

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

Honest advice comes first, even when it means waiting for the right home.

Panel partly off the edge

<div class="position-relative overflow-x-hidden border rounded-3 p-3" style="height:110px">
  <div class="small">
    Honest advice comes first, even when it means waiting for the right home.
  </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 rental team manages repairs, payments and tenants for landlords.

<div class="overflow-y-scroll border rounded-3 p-2 small" style="height:90px">
  Our rental team manages repairs, payments and tenants for landlords.
</div>

17Notification panel

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

Notifications

Friendly people answer your questions quickly, by phone, chat or email.

Get a free, no-obligation valuation of your home within 48 hours.

We measure success by how many buyers come back and tell their friends.

Price alerts tell you the moment a home that fits your search comes on the market.

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">
      Friendly people answer your questions quickly, by phone, chat or email.
    </div>
    <div class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom small">
      Get a free, no-obligation valuation of your home within 48 hours.
    </div>
    <div class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom small">
      We measure success by how many buyers come back and tell their friends.
    </div>
    <div class="px-3 py-2 small">
      Price alerts tell you the moment a home that fits your search comes on the market.
    </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.

Sell faster with an expert at your side

Our local agents know every street, school and coffee shop in the area.

<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">Sell faster with an expert at your side</h3>
  <p class="small mb-0 position-relative">Our local agents know every street, school and coffee shop in the area.</p>
</div>

19Long word handling

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

downloads/fable-nest/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/fable-nest/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/fable-nest/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	19	84 GB	Email and chat	Unlimited	$91.76

<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>19</td>
        <td>84 GB</td>
        <td>Email and chat</td>
        <td>Unlimited</td>
        <td>$91.76</td>
      </tr>
    </tbody>
  </table>
</div>