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-autooverflow-hiddenoverflow-visibleoverflow-scroll<div class="row g-3 small">
<div class="col-6 col-md-3">
<code>overflow-auto</code>
<div class="overflow-auto border rounded-lg p-2 bg-surface-3" style="height:100px">
Our annual report is independently audited and published in full. Start in minutes and get help from a real person whenever you need it. A school kit costs less than a cinema ticket and lasts a whole year. You receive photos and updates showing exactly what your donation achieved.
</div>
</div>
<div class="col-6 col-md-3">
<code>overflow-hidden</code>
<div class="overflow-hidden border rounded-lg p-2 bg-surface-3" style="height:100px">
Our annual report is independently audited and published in full. Start in minutes and get help from a real person whenever you need it. A school kit costs less than a cinema ticket and lasts a whole year. You receive photos and updates showing exactly what your donation achieved.
</div>
</div>
<div class="col-6 col-md-3">
<code>overflow-visible</code>
<div class="overflow-visible border rounded-lg p-2 bg-surface-3 mb-12" style="height:100px">
Our annual report is independently audited and published in full. Start in minutes and get help from a real person whenever you need it. A school kit costs less than a cinema ticket and lasts a whole year. You receive photos and updates showing exactly what your donation achieved.
</div>
</div>
<div class="col-6 col-md-3">
<code>overflow-scroll</code>
<div class="overflow-scroll border rounded-lg p-2 bg-surface-3" style="height:100px">
Our annual report is independently audited and published in full. Start in minutes and get help from a real person whenever you need it. A school kit costs less than a cinema ticket and lasts a whole year. You receive photos and updates showing exactly what your donation achieved.
</div>
</div>
</div>2Horizontal scroll only
overflow-x-auto with flex-nowrap scrolls a row of cards sideways.
<div class="flex flex-nowrap gap-2 overflow-x-auto pb-2">
<div class="border rounded-lg p-4 shrink-0" style="width:160px">
<div class="font-semibold small">
Animal rescue
</div>
</div>
<div class="border rounded-lg p-4 shrink-0" style="width:160px">
<div class="font-semibold small">
Animal rescue
</div>
</div>
<div class="border rounded-lg p-4 shrink-0" style="width:160px">
<div class="font-semibold small">
Food relief
</div>
</div>
<div class="border rounded-lg p-4 shrink-0" style="width:160px">
<div class="font-semibold small">
Education fund
</div>
</div>
<div class="border rounded-lg p-4 shrink-0" style="width:160px">
<div class="font-semibold small">
Clean water
</div>
</div>
</div>3Vertical scroll only
overflow-y-auto and a max-height make a scrolling list.
- Isla Morgan
- Finn Quinn
- Nora Haddad
- Kai Patel
- Elena Moreau
- Priya Tanaka
<ul class="list-unstyled border rounded-lg overflow-y-auto mb-0" style="max-height:150px">
<li class="px-4 py-2 border-b">Isla Morgan</li>
<li class="px-4 py-2 border-b">Finn Quinn</li>
<li class="px-4 py-2 border-b">Nora Haddad</li>
<li class="px-4 py-2 border-b">Kai Patel</li>
<li class="px-4 py-2 border-b">Elena Moreau</li>
<li class="px-4 py-2">Priya Tanaka</li>
</ul>4Hidden to clip rounded corners
overflow-hidden on a rounded card clips the image corners.
<div class="row g-3">
<div class="col-6">
<div class="border rounded-xl">
<img src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1557660559-42497f78035b?auto=format&fit=crop&w=1200&h=800&q=70" alt="Not clipped" class="w-full block">
<div class="p-2 small">
without
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="col-6">
<div class="border rounded-xl overflow-hidden">
<img src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1560220604-1985ebfe28b1?auto=format&fit=crop&w=1200&h=800&q=70" alt="Clipped" class="w-full 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #TX-2450 | Diego Varga | Montreal | Sep 25, 2025 | Overdue | $295.33 |
| #PO-3771 | Liam Delgado | Barcelona | Jul 2, 2026 | Approved | $131.03 |
<div class="overflow-x-auto border rounded-lg">
<table class="table table-sm mb-0 whitespace-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>#TX-2450</td>
<td>Diego Varga</td>
<td>Montreal</td>
<td>Sep 25, 2025</td>
<td>Overdue</td>
<td>$295.33</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>#PO-3771</td>
<td>Liam Delgado</td>
<td>Barcelona</td>
<td>Jul 2, 2026</td>
<td>Approved</td>
<td>$131.03</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/glowia --base ./ --sourcemap false --emptyOutDir<pre class="overflow-x-auto bg-surface-3 border rounded-lg p-4 small mb-0"><code>npm run build -- --mode production --out-dir dist/glowia --base ./ --sourcemap false --emptyOutDir</code></pre>7Chat window
A fixed height message area with overflow-y-auto above a fixed input.
<div class="border rounded-xl flex flex-col" style="height:220px;max-width:22rem">
<div class="overflow-y-auto p-4 flex flex-col gap-2 grow">
<div class="self-start bg-surface-3 rounded-lg px-2 py-1 small">
We have helped more than two hundred thousand people since we started.
</div>
<div class="self-end text-bg-primary rounded-lg px-2 py-1 small">
Ninety cents of every dollar goes directly to the projects you support.
</div>
<div class="self-start bg-surface-3 rounded-lg px-2 py-1 small">
Clear prices, honest advice and no surprises along the way.
</div>
<div class="self-end text-bg-primary rounded-lg px-2 py-1 small">
We measure success by how many donors come back and tell their friends.
</div>
</div>
<div class="border-t p-2">
<label class="sr-only" 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="flex flex-nowrap gap-2 overflow-x-auto pb-1" aria-label="Categories">
<a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-primary rounded-full whitespace-nowrap">All</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-full whitespace-nowrap">Health</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-full whitespace-nowrap">guide</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-full whitespace-nowrap">Education</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-full whitespace-nowrap">insights</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-full whitespace-nowrap">story</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-full whitespace-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. Monthly gifts let us plan ahead and respond quickly when disaster strikes. Companies can match employee donations and double their impact. Leave a gift in your will and help future generations.
Our team has done this many times, so you never have to guess. Thousands of donors already trust us, and we work hard to keep it that way. Local partners know their communities and make sure help arrives where it matters.
Friendly people answer your questions quickly, by phone, chat or email. Every detail is handled by people who care about getting it right. Clean water wells are built with and maintained by local communities.
<div class="border rounded-lg p-4 overflow-auto small bg-surface-3" style="height:130px">
<h3 class="h6">Terms of use</h3>
<p>We listen first, then build a plan around what you actually need. Monthly gifts let us plan ahead and respond quickly when disaster strikes. Companies can match employee donations and double their impact. Leave a gift in your will and help future generations.</p>
<p>Our team has done this many times, so you never have to guess. Thousands of donors already trust us, and we work hard to keep it that way. Local partners know their communities and make sure help arrives where it matters.</p>
<p class="mb-0">Friendly people answer your questions quickly, by phone, chat or email. Every detail is handled by people who care about getting it right. Clean water wells are built with and maintained by local communities.</p>
</div>10Visible overflow for a badge
overflow-visible lets a badge stick out of a box that would otherwise clip it.
<div class="flex gap-6 pt-2">
<div class="relative overflow-hidden border rounded-lg p-4 small">
overflow-hidden<span class="absolute top-0 start-full -translate-x-1/2 -translate-y-1/2 badge rounded-full text-bg-danger">9</span>
</div>
<div class="relative overflow-visible border rounded-lg p-4 small">
overflow-visible<span class="absolute top-0 start-full -translate-x-1/2 -translate-y-1/2 badge rounded-full 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.
<div class="border rounded-lg p-4" style="max-width:20rem">
<div class="overflow-hidden font-semibold leading-tight" style="height:2.5em">
Change one life, change a community - Every donation is tax-deductible, and receipts arrive by email instantly.
</div>
<div class="small text-muted mt-1">
Dec 27, 2025
</div>
</div>12Sidebar that scrolls separately
The nav column scrolls with overflow-y-auto while the content stays put.
<div class="flex border rounded-lg" style="height:180px">
<nav class="overflow-y-auto border-e p-2 small shrink-0" style="width:130px" aria-label="Chapters">
<a href="#" class="block py-1">Intro</a><a href="#" class="block py-1">Setup</a><a href="#" class="block py-1">Layout</a> <a href="#" class="block py-1">Colours</a><a href="#" class="block py-1">Forms</a><a href="#" class="block py-1">Tables</a> <a href="#" class="block py-1">Charts</a><a href="#" class="block py-1">Deploy</a>
</nav>
<div class="p-4 small">
We keep things simple, so you can focus on what matters to you. Volunteers give their time in schools, shelters and food banks every week.
</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-lg" style="height:160px;max-width:26rem">
<img src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1557660559-42497f78035b?auto=format&fit=crop&w=1600&h=700&q=70" alt="Ten ways to fundraise with friends" width="900" height="394" class="block">
</div>14Kanban columns
Columns side by side in overflow-x-auto, each column scrolls with overflow-y-auto.
<div class="flex gap-2 overflow-x-auto pb-1">
<div class="bg-surface-3 rounded-lg p-2 shrink-0 overflow-y-auto" style="width:170px;max-height:180px">
<div class="small font-semibold mb-2">
To do
</div>
<div class="bg-page border rounded-md p-2 small mb-2">
Disaster response
</div>
<div class="bg-page border rounded-md p-2 small mb-2">
Education fund
</div>
<div class="bg-page border rounded-md p-2 small">
Education fund
</div>
</div>
<div class="bg-surface-3 rounded-lg p-2 shrink-0 overflow-y-auto" style="width:170px;max-height:180px">
<div class="small font-semibold mb-2">
Doing
</div>
<div class="bg-page border rounded-md p-2 small">
Food relief
</div>
</div>
<div class="bg-surface-3 rounded-lg p-2 shrink-0 overflow-y-auto" style="width:170px;max-height:180px">
<div class="small font-semibold mb-2">
Done
</div>
<div class="bg-page border rounded-md p-2 small">
Food relief
</div>
</div>
</div>15Overflow-x hidden
overflow-x-hidden hides content that slides in from the side, like an off-screen panel.
<div class="relative overflow-x-hidden border rounded-lg p-4" style="height:110px">
<div class="small">
We keep things simple, so you can focus on what matters to you.
</div>
<div class="absolute top-0 bg-primary-subtle h-full 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.
<div class="overflow-y-scroll border rounded-lg p-2 small" style="height:90px">
We listen first, then build a plan around what you actually need.
</div>17Notification panel
A dropdown-like panel with header, scrolling body and footer.
<div class="border rounded-lg shadow-sm flex flex-col" style="max-width:20rem;height:220px">
<div class="px-4 py-2 border-b font-semibold small">
Notifications
</div>
<div class="overflow-y-auto grow">
<div class="px-4 py-2 border-b small">
Ninety cents of every dollar goes directly to the projects you support.
</div>
<div class="px-4 py-2 border-b small">
A school kit costs less than a cinema ticket and lasts a whole year.
</div>
<div class="px-4 py-2 border-b small">
Local partners know their communities and make sure help arrives where it matters.
</div>
<div class="px-4 py-2 small">
Every donation is tax-deductible, and receipts arrive by email instantly.
</div>
</div>
<a href="#" class="px-4 py-2 border-t small text-center">View all</a>
</div>18Clip a decorative shape
A big circle partly outside its panel is cut off by overflow-hidden.
Every donation makes a difference
Every detail is handled by people who care about getting it right.
<div class="relative overflow-hidden text-bg-primary rounded-xl p-6">
<div class="absolute bg-white/25 rounded-full" style="width:180px;height:180px;right:-60px;top:-60px">
</div>
<h3 class="h5 relative">Every donation makes a difference</h3>
<p class="small mb-0 relative">Every detail is handled by people who care about getting it right.</p>
</div>19Long word handling
overflow-hidden plus text-truncate versus text-break for an unbreakable string.
<div class="row g-2 small">
<div class="col-sm-6">
<div class="border rounded-lg p-2 truncate">
downloads/glowia/assets/very-long-file-name-without-any-spaces-at-all.zip
</div>
</div>
<div class="col-sm-6">
<div class="border rounded-lg p-2 break-words">
downloads/glowia/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 | 41 | 357 GB | Email and chat | Unlimited | $75.65 |
<div class="table-responsive border rounded-lg">
<table class="table table-sm mb-0 whitespace-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>41</td>
<td>357 GB</td>
<td>Email and chat</td>
<td>Unlimited</td>
<td>$75.65</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>