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

Earn a certificate at the end of each course and share it with employers. The mobile app downloads lessons, so you can learn on the train. We keep things simple, so you can focus on what matters to you. Our team has done this many times, so you never have to guess.

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">
      Earn a certificate at the end of each course and share it with employers. The mobile app downloads lessons, so you can learn on the train. We keep things simple, so you can focus on what matters to you. Our team has done this many times, so you never have to guess.
    </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">
      Earn a certificate at the end of each course and share it with employers. The mobile app downloads lessons, so you can learn on the train. We keep things simple, so you can focus on what matters to you. Our team has done this many times, so you never have to guess.
    </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">
      Earn a certificate at the end of each course and share it with employers. The mobile app downloads lessons, so you can learn on the train. We keep things simple, so you can focus on what matters to you. Our team has done this many times, so you never have to guess.
    </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">
      Earn a certificate at the end of each course and share it with employers. The mobile app downloads lessons, so you can learn on the train. We keep things simple, so you can focus on what matters to you. Our team has done this many times, so you never have to guess.
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

2Horizontal scroll only

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

Mentoring

Certificates

Online courses

Career 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">
      Mentoring
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="fw-semibold small">
      Certificates
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="fw-semibold small">
      Certificates
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="fw-semibold small">
      Online courses
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="fw-semibold small">
      Career coaching
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

3Vertical scroll only

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

Liam Carter
Samir Rossi
Sofia Haddad
Ella Brennan
Noah Fischer
Amara 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">Liam Carter</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Samir Rossi</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Sofia Haddad</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Ella Brennan</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Noah Fischer</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2">Amara 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="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1758270705290-62b6294dd044?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-1516321497487-e288fb19713f?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-2309	Aria Tanaka	Denver	Mar 21, 2026	On hold	$475.08
#ORD-5688	Nadia Whitaker	Edinburgh	Feb 4, 2026	On hold	$851.81

<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-2309</td>
        <td>Aria Tanaka</td>
        <td>Denver</td>
        <td>Mar 21, 2026</td>
        <td>On hold</td>
        <td>$475.08</td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>#ORD-5688</td>
        <td>Nadia Whitaker</td>
        <td>Edinburgh</td>
        <td>Feb 4, 2026</td>
        <td>On hold</td>
        <td>$851.81</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/fableova-co --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/fableova-co --base ./ --sourcemap false --emptyOutDir</code></pre>

7Chat window

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

Instructors are working professionals who teach what they use every day.

Mentors review your projects and give feedback within two days.

Guided learning paths take you from beginner to job-ready step by step.

Thousands of students already trust us, and we work hard to keep it that way.

<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">
      Instructors are working professionals who teach what they use every day.
    </div>
    <div class="align-self-end text-bg-primary rounded-3 px-2 py-1 small">
      Mentors review your projects and give feedback within two days.
    </div>
    <div class="align-self-start bg-body-tertiary rounded-3 px-2 py-1 small">
      Guided learning paths take you from beginner to job-ready step by step.
    </div>
    <div class="align-self-end text-bg-primary rounded-3 px-2 py-1 small">
      Thousands of students already trust us, and we work hard to keep it that way.
    </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">Marketing</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">Design</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-pill text-nowrap">design</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-pill text-nowrap">team</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-pill text-nowrap">fast</a> 
</nav>

9Terms box

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

Terms of use

We listen first, then build a plan around what you actually need. Friendly people answer your questions quickly, by phone, chat or email. Lifetime access means you can revisit lessons whenever you need a refresher.

Study groups and a friendly forum keep you motivated along the way. Try the first lesson of any course for free before you decide. Short quizzes after each lesson help new knowledge stick.

Start in minutes and get help from a real person whenever you need it. Guided learning paths take you from beginner to job-ready step by step. Mentors review your projects and give feedback within two days. Friendly people answer your questions quickly, by phone, chat or email.

<div class="border rounded-3 p-3 overflow-auto small bg-body-tertiary" style="height:130px">
  <h3 class="h6">Terms of use</h3>
  <p>We listen first, then build a plan around what you actually need. Friendly people answer your questions quickly, by phone, chat or email. Lifetime access means you can revisit lessons whenever you need a refresher.</p>
  <p>Study groups and a friendly forum keep you motivated along the way. Try the first lesson of any course for free before you decide. Short quizzes after each lesson help new knowledge stick.</p>
  <p class="mb-0">Start in minutes and get help from a real person whenever you need it. Guided learning paths take you from beginner to job-ready step by step. Mentors review your projects and give feedback within two days. Friendly people answer your questions quickly, by phone, chat or email.</p>
</div>

10Visible overflow for a badge

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

overflow-hidden8

overflow-visible2

<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">8</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">2</span>
  </div>
</div>

11Hidden overflow for a cropped title

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

Learn by doing, not just watching - Instructors are working professionals who teach what they use every day.

Oct 12, 2025

<div class="border rounded-3 p-3" style="max-width:20rem">
  <div class="overflow-hidden fw-semibold lh-sm" style="height:2.5em">
    Learn by doing, not just watching - Instructors are working professionals who teach what they use every day.
  </div>
  <div class="small text-body-secondary mt-1">
    Oct 12, 2025
  </div>
</div>

12Sidebar that scrolls separately

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

Short quizzes after each lesson help new knowledge stick. Learn on your schedule, with lessons that fit into a lunch break.

<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">
    Short quizzes after each lesson help new knowledge stick. Learn on your schedule, with lessons that fit into a lunch break.
  </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-1758270705290-62b6294dd044?auto=format&fit=crop&w=1600&h=700&q=70" alt="Our favourite tips for busy weeks" 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

Study groups

Live workshops

Doing

Mentoring

Done

Certificates

<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">
      Study groups
    </div>
    <div class="bg-body border rounded-2 p-2 small mb-2">
      Study groups
    </div>
    <div class="bg-body border rounded-2 p-2 small">
      Live workshops
    </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">
      Mentoring
    </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">
      Certificates
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

15Overflow-x hidden

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

Lifetime access means you can revisit lessons whenever you need a refresher.

Panel partly off the edge

<div class="position-relative overflow-x-hidden border rounded-3 p-3" style="height:110px">
  <div class="small">
    Lifetime access means you can revisit lessons whenever you need a refresher.
  </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 team has done this many times, so you never have to guess.

<div class="overflow-y-scroll border rounded-3 p-2 small" style="height:90px">
  Our team has done this many times, so you never have to guess.
</div>

17Notification panel

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

Notifications

Clear prices, honest advice and no surprises along the way.

Every detail is handled by people who care about getting it right.

Study groups and a friendly forum keep you motivated along the way.

Every course is built around hands-on projects you can add to your portfolio.

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">
      Clear prices, honest advice and no surprises along the way.
    </div>
    <div class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom small">
      Every detail is handled by people who care about getting it right.
    </div>
    <div class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom small">
      Study groups and a friendly forum keep you motivated along the way.
    </div>
    <div class="px-3 py-2 small">
      Every course is built around hands-on projects you can add to your portfolio.
    </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.

Skills employers are looking for

Start in minutes and get help from a real person whenever you need it.

<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">Skills employers are looking for</h3>
  <p class="small mb-0 position-relative">Start in minutes and get help from a real person whenever you need it.</p>
</div>

19Long word handling

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

downloads/fableova-co/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/fableova-co/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/fableova-co/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	35	346 GB	Email and chat	Unlimited	$46.95

<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>35</td>
        <td>346 GB</td>
        <td>Email and chat</td>
        <td>Unlimited</td>
        <td>$46.95</td>
      </tr>
    </tbody>
  </table>
</div>