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

Every detail is handled by people who care about getting it right. We listen first, then build a plan around what you actually need. Guided learning paths take you from beginner to job-ready step by step. Short quizzes after each lesson help new knowledge stick.

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">
      Every detail is handled by people who care about getting it right. We listen first, then build a plan around what you actually need. Guided learning paths take you from beginner to job-ready step by step. Short quizzes after each lesson help new knowledge stick.
    </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">
      Every detail is handled by people who care about getting it right. We listen first, then build a plan around what you actually need. Guided learning paths take you from beginner to job-ready step by step. Short quizzes after each lesson help new knowledge stick.
    </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">
      Every detail is handled by people who care about getting it right. We listen first, then build a plan around what you actually need. Guided learning paths take you from beginner to job-ready step by step. Short quizzes after each lesson help new knowledge stick.
    </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">
      Every detail is handled by people who care about getting it right. We listen first, then build a plan around what you actually need. Guided learning paths take you from beginner to job-ready step by step. Short quizzes after each lesson help new knowledge stick.
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

2Horizontal scroll only

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

Study groups

Online courses

Study groups

Mentoring

Certificates

<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">
      Study groups
    </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">
      Study groups
    </div>
  </div>
  <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>

3Vertical scroll only

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

Samir Rossi
Liam Nguyen
Nora Lindqvist
Hana Okafor
Ruby Brennan
Priya Quinn

<ul class="list-unstyled border rounded-3 overflow-y-auto mb-0" style="max-height:150px">
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Samir Rossi</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Liam Nguyen</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Nora Lindqvist</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Hana Okafor</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Ruby Brennan</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2">Priya Quinn</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
#INV-5204	Leo Morgan	Cape Town	May 1, 2026	Approved	$796.28
#INV-5682	Mason Harlow	Kyoto	May 24, 2026	Shipped	$514.15

<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>#INV-5204</td>
        <td>Leo Morgan</td>
        <td>Cape Town</td>
        <td>May 1, 2026</td>
        <td>Approved</td>
        <td>$796.28</td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>#INV-5682</td>
        <td>Mason Harlow</td>
        <td>Kyoto</td>
        <td>May 24, 2026</td>
        <td>Shipped</td>
        <td>$514.15</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/haloara-kit --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/haloara-kit --base ./ --sourcemap false --emptyOutDir</code></pre>

7Chat window

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

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

The mobile app downloads lessons, so you can learn on the train.

Mentors review your projects and give feedback within two days.

Learn on your schedule, with lessons that fit into a lunch break.

<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">
      Study groups and a friendly forum keep you motivated along the way.
    </div>
    <div class="align-self-end text-bg-primary rounded-3 px-2 py-1 small">
      The mobile app downloads lessons, so you can learn on the train.
    </div>
    <div class="align-self-start bg-body-tertiary rounded-3 px-2 py-1 small">
      Mentors review your projects and give feedback within two days.
    </div>
    <div class="align-self-end text-bg-primary rounded-3 px-2 py-1 small">
      Learn on your schedule, with lessons that fit into a lunch break.
    </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">Lifestyle</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-pill text-nowrap">update</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-pill text-nowrap">Development</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">journey</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-pill text-nowrap">smart</a> 
</nav>

9Terms box

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

Terms of use

Earn a certificate at the end of each course and share it with employers. Instructors are working professionals who teach what they use every day. Mentors review your projects and give feedback within two days. Every course is built around hands-on projects you can add to your portfolio.

Lifetime access means you can revisit lessons whenever you need a refresher. Clear prices, honest advice and no surprises along the way. We keep things simple, so you can focus on what matters to you.

Try the first lesson of any course for free before you decide. Our team has done this many times, so you never have to guess. Guided learning paths take you from beginner to job-ready step by step.

<div class="border rounded-3 p-3 overflow-auto small bg-body-tertiary" style="height:130px">
  <h3 class="h6">Terms of use</h3>
  <p>Earn a certificate at the end of each course and share it with employers. Instructors are working professionals who teach what they use every day. Mentors review your projects and give feedback within two days. Every course is built around hands-on projects you can add to your portfolio.</p>
  <p>Lifetime access means you can revisit lessons whenever you need a refresher. Clear prices, honest advice and no surprises along the way. We keep things simple, so you can focus on what matters to you.</p>
  <p class="mb-0">Try the first lesson of any course for free before you decide. Our team has done this many times, so you never have to guess. Guided learning paths take you from beginner to job-ready step by step.</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-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">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">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.

Learn new skills at your own pace - We listen first, then build a plan around what you actually need.

Sep 10, 2026

<div class="border rounded-3 p-3" style="max-width:20rem">
  <div class="overflow-hidden fw-semibold lh-sm" style="height:2.5em">
    Learn new skills at your own pace - We listen first, then build a plan around what you actually need.
  </div>
  <div class="small text-body-secondary mt-1">
    Sep 10, 2026
  </div>
</div>

12Sidebar that scrolls separately

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

We measure success by how many students come back and tell their friends. Every detail is handled by people who care about getting it right.

<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">
    We measure success by how many students come back and tell their friends. Every detail is handled by people who care about getting it right.
  </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-1565598621680-94ac0c22b148?auto=format&fit=crop&w=1600&h=700&q=70" alt="Looking back at a busy season" 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

Certificates

Live workshops

Online courses

Doing

Mentoring

Done

Live workshops

<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">
      Certificates
    </div>
    <div class="bg-body border rounded-2 p-2 small mb-2">
      Live workshops
    </div>
    <div class="bg-body border rounded-2 p-2 small">
      Online courses
    </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">
      Live workshops
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

15Overflow-x hidden

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

Short quizzes after each lesson help new knowledge stick.

Panel partly off the edge

<div class="position-relative overflow-x-hidden border rounded-3 p-3" style="height:110px">
  <div class="small">
    Short quizzes after each lesson help new knowledge stick.
  </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.

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

<div class="overflow-y-scroll border rounded-3 p-2 small" style="height:90px">
  Thousands of students already trust us, and we work hard to keep it that way.
</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.

Earn a certificate at the end of each course and share it with employers.

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

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

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">
      Earn a certificate at the end of each course and share it with employers.
    </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">
      Start in minutes and get help from a real person whenever you need it.
    </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.

The online school for busy people

Learn on your schedule, with lessons that fit into a lunch break.

<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">The online school for busy people</h3>
  <p class="small mb-0 position-relative">Learn on your schedule, with lessons that fit into a lunch break.</p>
</div>

19Long word handling

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

downloads/haloara-kit/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/haloara-kit/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/haloara-kit/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	355 GB	Email and chat	Unlimited	$96.97

<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>355 GB</td>
        <td>Email and chat</td>
        <td>Unlimited</td>
        <td>$96.97</td>
      </tr>
    </tbody>
  </table>
</div>