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 open API and ready-made integrations fit into the stack you already have. Real-time dashboards show what is on track and what needs attention. We keep things simple, so you can focus on what matters to you. Every update lands in one place, so nothing gets lost in email threads.

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-lg p-2 bg-surface-3" style="height:100px">
      Our open API and ready-made integrations fit into the stack you already have. Real-time dashboards show what is on track and what needs attention. We keep things simple, so you can focus on what matters to you. Every update lands in one place, so nothing gets lost in email threads.
    </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 open API and ready-made integrations fit into the stack you already have. Real-time dashboards show what is on track and what needs attention. We keep things simple, so you can focus on what matters to you. Every update lands in one place, so nothing gets lost in email threads.
    </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 open API and ready-made integrations fit into the stack you already have. Real-time dashboards show what is on track and what needs attention. We keep things simple, so you can focus on what matters to you. Every update lands in one place, so nothing gets lost in email threads.
    </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 open API and ready-made integrations fit into the stack you already have. Real-time dashboards show what is on track and what needs attention. We keep things simple, so you can focus on what matters to you. Every update lands in one place, so nothing gets lost in email threads.
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

2Horizontal scroll only

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

Single sign-on

Secure file sharing

Workflow automation

API integrations

<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">
      Single sign-on
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-lg p-4 shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="font-semibold small">
      Secure file sharing
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-lg p-4 shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="font-semibold small">
      Secure file sharing
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-lg p-4 shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="font-semibold small">
      Workflow automation
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-lg p-4 shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="font-semibold small">
      API integrations
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

3Vertical scroll only

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

Tariq Novak
Noah Okafor
Ravi Delgado
Leo Nguyen
Sofia Varga
Mason Haddad

<ul class="list-unstyled border rounded-lg overflow-y-auto mb-0" style="max-height:150px">
  <li class="px-4 py-2 border-b">Tariq Novak</li>
  <li class="px-4 py-2 border-b">Noah Okafor</li>
  <li class="px-4 py-2 border-b">Ravi Delgado</li>
  <li class="px-4 py-2 border-b">Leo Nguyen</li>
  <li class="px-4 py-2 border-b">Sofia Varga</li>
  <li class="px-4 py-2">Mason 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-xl">
      <img src="../assets/img/photo-1.svg" 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-1758691737124-05c5bffe46f0?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
#ORD-2664	Ava Harlow	Melbourne	May 19, 2026	Completed	$753.45
#INV-6011	Ethan Larsen	Montreal	Jan 10, 2026	Overdue	$752.62

<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>#ORD-2664</td>
        <td>Ava Harlow</td>
        <td>Melbourne</td>
        <td>May 19, 2026</td>
        <td>Completed</td>
        <td>$753.45</td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>#INV-6011</td>
        <td>Ethan Larsen</td>
        <td>Montreal</td>
        <td>Jan 10, 2026</td>
        <td>Overdue</td>
        <td>$752.62</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/halo-works --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/halo-works --base ./ --sourcemap false --emptyOutDir</code></pre>

7Chat window

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

Automations take care of the repetitive steps, so people can focus on real work.

Our open API and ready-made integrations fit into the stack you already have.

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

Every update lands in one place, so nothing gets lost in email threads.

<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">
      Automations take care of the repetitive steps, so people can focus on real work.
    </div>
    <div class="self-end text-bg-primary rounded-lg px-2 py-1 small">
      Our open API and ready-made integrations fit into the stack you already have.
    </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">
      Every update lands in one place, so nothing gets lost in email threads.
    </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">Support</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">Support</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-full whitespace-nowrap">community</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-full whitespace-nowrap">dashboard</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-full whitespace-nowrap">simple</a> 
</nav>

9Terms box

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

Terms of use

Clear reports turn weekly numbers into decisions in minutes, not days. Every detail is handled by people who care about getting it right. Friendly people answer your questions quickly, by phone, chat or email. Start free, upgrade when you grow and cancel any time with one click.

Start in minutes and get help from a real person whenever you need it. Teams report saving around five hours a week after the first month. Thousands of customers already trust us, and we work hard to keep it that way. Your data is encrypted, backed up daily and hosted in the region you choose.

We measure success by how many customers come back and tell their friends. Set up in an afternoon, connect the tools you use and invite your team. Real-time dashboards show what is on track and what needs attention.

<div class="border rounded-lg p-4 overflow-auto small bg-surface-3" style="height:130px">
  <h3 class="h6">Terms of use</h3>
  <p>Clear reports turn weekly numbers into decisions in minutes, not days. Every detail is handled by people who care about getting it right. Friendly people answer your questions quickly, by phone, chat or email. Start free, upgrade when you grow and cancel any time with one click.</p>
  <p>Start in minutes and get help from a real person whenever you need it. Teams report saving around five hours a week after the first month. Thousands of customers already trust us, and we work hard to keep it that way. Your data is encrypted, backed up daily and hosted in the region you choose.</p>
  <p class="mb-0">We measure success by how many customers come back and tell their friends. Set up in an afternoon, connect the tools you use and invite your team. Real-time dashboards show what is on track and what needs attention.</p>
</div>

10Visible overflow for a badge

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

overflow-hidden9

overflow-visible6

<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">6</span>
  </div>
</div>

11Hidden overflow for a cropped title

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

The workspace your team will actually love - Granular roles keep sensitive work private while everyone else stays informed.

Sep 18, 2025

<div class="border rounded-lg p-4" style="max-width:20rem">
  <div class="overflow-hidden font-semibold leading-tight" style="height:2.5em">
    The workspace your team will actually love - Granular roles keep sensitive work private while everyone else stays informed.
  </div>
  <div class="small text-muted mt-1">
    Sep 18, 2025
  </div>
</div>

12Sidebar that scrolls separately

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

Plan projects, track progress and share updates without another status meeting. Our team has done this many times, so you never have to guess.

<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">
    Plan projects, track progress and share updates without another status meeting. Our team has done this many times, so you never have to guess.
  </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-1742440710136-1976b1cad864?auto=format&fit=crop&w=1600&h=700&q=70" alt="Looking back at a busy season" width="900" height="394" class="block"> 
</div>

14Kanban columns

Columns side by side in overflow-x-auto, each column scrolls with overflow-y-auto.

To do

API integrations

Secure file sharing

Smart reporting

Doing

Team analytics

Done

Team analytics

<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">
      API integrations
    </div>
    <div class="bg-page border rounded-md p-2 small mb-2">
      Secure file sharing
    </div>
    <div class="bg-page border rounded-md p-2 small">
      Smart reporting
    </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">
      Team analytics
    </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">
      Team analytics
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

15Overflow-x hidden

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

Onboarding guides and live chat help new colleagues get going on day one.

Panel partly off the edge

<div class="relative overflow-x-hidden border rounded-lg p-4" style="height:110px">
  <div class="small">
    Onboarding guides and live chat help new colleagues get going on day one.
  </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.

We listen first, then build a plan around what you actually need.

<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.

Notifications

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

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

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

Your data is encrypted, backed up daily and hosted in the region you choose.

View all

<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">
      We keep things simple, so you can focus on what matters to you.
    </div>
    <div class="px-4 py-2 border-b small">
      Thousands of customers already trust us, and we work hard to keep it that way.
    </div>
    <div class="px-4 py-2 border-b small">
      We measure success by how many customers come back and tell their friends.
    </div>
    <div class="px-4 py-2 small">
      Your data is encrypted, backed up daily and hosted in the region you choose.
    </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.

Turn scattered tasks into a clear plan

Clear reports turn weekly numbers into decisions in minutes, not days.

<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">Turn scattered tasks into a clear plan</h3>
  <p class="small mb-0 relative">Clear reports turn weekly numbers into decisions in minutes, not days.</p>
</div>

19Long word handling

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

downloads/halo-works/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-lg p-2 truncate">
      downloads/halo-works/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/halo-works/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	6	455 GB	Email and chat	Unlimited	$33.04

<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>6</td>
        <td>455 GB</td>
        <td>Email and chat</td>
        <td>Unlimited</td>
        <td>$33.04</td>
      </tr>
    </tbody>
  </table>
</div>