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

We measure success by how many members come back and tell their friends. Start in minutes and get help from a real person whenever you need it. Send and receive money in more than 30 currencies at fair exchange rates. Payroll runs on time, with tax and pension payments handled for you.

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">
      We measure success by how many members come back and tell their friends. Start in minutes and get help from a real person whenever you need it. Send and receive money in more than 30 currencies at fair exchange rates. Payroll runs on time, with tax and pension payments handled for you.
    </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">
      We measure success by how many members come back and tell their friends. Start in minutes and get help from a real person whenever you need it. Send and receive money in more than 30 currencies at fair exchange rates. Payroll runs on time, with tax and pension payments handled for you.
    </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">
      We measure success by how many members come back and tell their friends. Start in minutes and get help from a real person whenever you need it. Send and receive money in more than 30 currencies at fair exchange rates. Payroll runs on time, with tax and pension payments handled for you.
    </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">
      We measure success by how many members come back and tell their friends. Start in minutes and get help from a real person whenever you need it. Send and receive money in more than 30 currencies at fair exchange rates. Payroll runs on time, with tax and pension payments handled for you.
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

2Horizontal scroll only

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

Business accounts

Invoicing

Corporate cards

Expense tracking

<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">
      Business accounts
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="fw-semibold small">
      Business accounts
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="fw-semibold small">
      Invoicing
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="fw-semibold small">
      Corporate cards
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="fw-semibold small">
      Expense tracking
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

3Vertical scroll only

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

Ravi Lindqvist
Kenji Ibrahim
Jonah Brennan
Lea Rossi
Isla Sato
Ella Ashford

<ul class="list-unstyled border rounded-3 overflow-y-auto mb-0" style="max-height:150px">
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Ravi Lindqvist</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Kenji Ibrahim</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Jonah Brennan</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Lea Rossi</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Isla Sato</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2">Ella Ashford</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="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1624555130581-1d9cca783bc0?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
#TX-6233	Noah Tanaka	Kyoto	Sep 15, 2026	Active	$861.78
#INV-9558	Ava Moreau	Seoul	Sep 19, 2025	Overdue	$406.34

<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>#TX-6233</td>
        <td>Noah Tanaka</td>
        <td>Kyoto</td>
        <td>Sep 15, 2026</td>
        <td>Active</td>
        <td>$861.78</td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>#INV-9558</td>
        <td>Ava Moreau</td>
        <td>Seoul</td>
        <td>Sep 19, 2025</td>
        <td>Overdue</td>
        <td>$406.34</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/glowis --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/glowis --base ./ --sourcemap false --emptyOutDir</code></pre>

7Chat window

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

We keep things simple, so you can focus on what matters to you.

No monthly fees on the basic plan and no hidden charges on transfers.

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

Invoices go out with a payment link, so customers can pay you in one click.

<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">
      We keep things simple, so you can focus on what matters to you.
    </div>
    <div class="align-self-end text-bg-primary rounded-3 px-2 py-1 small">
      No monthly fees on the basic plan and no hidden charges on transfers.
    </div>
    <div class="align-self-start bg-body-tertiary rounded-3 px-2 py-1 small">
      Clear prices, honest advice and no surprises along the way.
    </div>
    <div class="align-self-end text-bg-primary rounded-3 px-2 py-1 small">
      Invoices go out with a payment link, so customers can pay you in one click.
    </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">Payroll</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">Payments</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-pill text-nowrap">product</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-pill text-nowrap">idea</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-pill text-nowrap">modern</a> 
</nav>

9Terms box

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

Terms of use

Accounting sync keeps your books up to date without manual exports. We listen first, then build a plan around what you actually need. Cash flow forecasts show where you will be next month, not just today. Our team has done this many times, so you never have to guess.

We measure success by how many members come back and tell their friends. Thousands of members already trust us, and we work hard to keep it that way. Every detail is handled by people who care about getting it right. Issue virtual and physical cards to your team with limits you control.

Every payment appears instantly, with receipts matched automatically. Open a business account online in about ten minutes, with no branch visit. Your money is protected by bank-grade security and regulated partners.

<div class="border rounded-3 p-3 overflow-auto small bg-body-tertiary" style="height:130px">
  <h3 class="h6">Terms of use</h3>
  <p>Accounting sync keeps your books up to date without manual exports. We listen first, then build a plan around what you actually need. Cash flow forecasts show where you will be next month, not just today. Our team has done this many times, so you never have to guess.</p>
  <p>We measure success by how many members come back and tell their friends. Thousands of members already trust us, and we work hard to keep it that way. Every detail is handled by people who care about getting it right. Issue virtual and physical cards to your team with limits you control.</p>
  <p class="mb-0">Every payment appears instantly, with receipts matched automatically. Open a business account online in about ten minutes, with no branch visit. Your money is protected by bank-grade security and regulated partners.</p>
</div>

10Visible overflow for a badge

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

overflow-hidden5

overflow-visible4

<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">5</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">4</span>
  </div>
</div>

11Hidden overflow for a cropped title

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

Clear numbers for confident decisions - Friendly people answer your questions quickly, by phone, chat or email.

Dec 2, 2025

<div class="border rounded-3 p-3" style="max-width:20rem">
  <div class="overflow-hidden fw-semibold lh-sm" style="height:2.5em">
    Clear numbers for confident decisions - Friendly people answer your questions quickly, by phone, chat or email.
  </div>
  <div class="small text-body-secondary mt-1">
    Dec 2, 2025
  </div>
</div>

12Sidebar that scrolls separately

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

Real people answer your questions around the clock, every day of the year. Set approval rules for large payments and see who spent what, and why.

<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">
    Real people answer your questions around the clock, every day of the year. Set approval rules for large payments and see who spent what, and why.
  </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-1731458769726-cef60c792665?auto=format&fit=crop&w=1600&h=700&q=70" alt="What to look for in a business account" 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

Business accounts

Expense tracking

Multi-currency wallets

Doing

Multi-currency wallets

Done

Expense 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">
      Business accounts
    </div>
    <div class="bg-body border rounded-2 p-2 small mb-2">
      Expense tracking
    </div>
    <div class="bg-body border rounded-2 p-2 small">
      Multi-currency wallets
    </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">
      Multi-currency wallets
    </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">
      Expense tracking
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

15Overflow-x hidden

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

Send and receive money in more than 30 currencies at fair exchange rates.

Panel partly off the edge

<div class="position-relative overflow-x-hidden border rounded-3 p-3" style="height:110px">
  <div class="small">
    Send and receive money in more than 30 currencies at fair exchange rates.
  </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.

Invoices go out with a payment link, so customers can pay you in one click.

<div class="overflow-y-scroll border rounded-3 p-2 small" style="height:90px">
  Invoices go out with a payment link, so customers can pay you in one click.
</div>

17Notification panel

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

Notifications

Payroll runs on time, with tax and pension payments handled for you.

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

Every payment appears instantly, with receipts matched automatically.

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

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">
      Payroll runs on time, with tax and pension payments handled for you.
    </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">
      Every payment appears instantly, with receipts matched automatically.
    </div>
    <div class="px-3 py-2 small">
      We measure success by how many members come back and tell their friends.
    </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.

Money management made simple

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

<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">Money management made simple</h3>
  <p class="small mb-0 position-relative">Thousands of members already trust us, and we work hard to keep it that way.</p>
</div>

19Long word handling

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

downloads/glowis/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/glowis/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/glowis/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	13	393 GB	Email and chat	Unlimited	$57.02

<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>13</td>
        <td>393 GB</td>
        <td>Email and chat</td>
        <td>Unlimited</td>
        <td>$57.02</td>
      </tr>
    </tbody>
  </table>
</div>