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

Guided learning paths take you from beginner to job-ready step by step. Career coaches help with your CV, portfolio and interview practice. Earn a certificate at the end of each course and share it with employers. Every course is built around hands-on projects you can add to your portfolio.

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">
      Guided learning paths take you from beginner to job-ready step by step. Career coaches help with your CV, portfolio and interview practice. Earn a certificate at the end of each course and share it with employers. Every course is built around hands-on projects you can add to your portfolio.
    </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">
      Guided learning paths take you from beginner to job-ready step by step. Career coaches help with your CV, portfolio and interview practice. Earn a certificate at the end of each course and share it with employers. Every course is built around hands-on projects you can add to your portfolio.
    </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">
      Guided learning paths take you from beginner to job-ready step by step. Career coaches help with your CV, portfolio and interview practice. Earn a certificate at the end of each course and share it with employers. Every course is built around hands-on projects you can add to your portfolio.
    </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">
      Guided learning paths take you from beginner to job-ready step by step. Career coaches help with your CV, portfolio and interview practice. Earn a certificate at the end of each course and share it with employers. Every course is built around hands-on projects you can add to your portfolio.
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

2Horizontal scroll only

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

Online courses

Certificates

Study groups

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">
      Online courses
    </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">
      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">
      Career coaching
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

3Vertical scroll only

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

Lea Duarte
Mia Carter
Ivy Alvarez
Ravi Ortega
Sofia Novak
Kenji Fischer

<ul class="list-unstyled border rounded-3 overflow-y-auto mb-0" style="max-height:150px">
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Lea Duarte</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Mia Carter</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Ivy Alvarez</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Ravi Ortega</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Sofia Novak</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2">Kenji Fischer</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
#TX-1324	Mateo Tanaka	Prague	Aug 8, 2026	Active	$544.79
#TX-2577	Freya Silva	Austin	Nov 6, 2025	Approved	$654.25

<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-1324</td>
        <td>Mateo Tanaka</td>
        <td>Prague</td>
        <td>Aug 8, 2026</td>
        <td>Active</td>
        <td>$544.79</td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>#TX-2577</td>
        <td>Freya Silva</td>
        <td>Austin</td>
        <td>Nov 6, 2025</td>
        <td>Approved</td>
        <td>$654.25</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/hiveia --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/hiveia --base ./ --sourcemap false --emptyOutDir</code></pre>

7Chat window

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

Our team has done this many times, so you never have to guess.

Career coaches help with your CV, portfolio and interview practice.

Friendly people answer your questions quickly, by phone, chat or email.

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

<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">
      Our team has done this many times, so you never have to guess.
    </div>
    <div class="align-self-end text-bg-primary rounded-3 px-2 py-1 small">
      Career coaches help with your CV, portfolio and interview practice.
    </div>
    <div class="align-self-start bg-body-tertiary rounded-3 px-2 py-1 small">
      Friendly people answer your questions quickly, by phone, chat or email.
    </div>
    <div class="align-self-end text-bg-primary rounded-3 px-2 py-1 small">
      Guided learning paths take you from beginner to job-ready step by step.
    </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">insights</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">community</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-pill text-nowrap">experience</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

The mobile app downloads lessons, so you can learn on the train. Study groups and a friendly forum keep you motivated along the way. Earn a certificate at the end of each course and share it with employers. Short quizzes after each lesson help new knowledge stick.

Try the first lesson of any course for free before you decide. Learn on your schedule, with lessons that fit into a lunch break. Mentors review your projects and give feedback within two days. We measure success by how many students come back and tell their friends.

Thousands of students already trust us, and we work hard to keep it that way. We listen first, then build a plan around what you actually need. Instructors are working professionals who teach what they use every day.

<div class="border rounded-3 p-3 overflow-auto small bg-body-tertiary" style="height:130px">
  <h3 class="h6">Terms of use</h3>
  <p>The mobile app downloads lessons, so you can learn on the train. Study groups and a friendly forum keep you motivated along the way. Earn a certificate at the end of each course and share it with employers. Short quizzes after each lesson help new knowledge stick.</p>
  <p>Try the first lesson of any course for free before you decide. Learn on your schedule, with lessons that fit into a lunch break. Mentors review your projects and give feedback within two days. We measure success by how many students come back and tell their friends.</p>
  <p class="mb-0">Thousands of students already trust us, and we work hard to keep it that way. We listen first, then build a plan around what you actually need. Instructors are working professionals who teach what they use every day.</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-visible1

<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">1</span>
  </div>
</div>

11Hidden overflow for a cropped title

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

Skills employers are looking for - Clear prices, honest advice and no surprises along the way.

Sep 15, 2026

<div class="border rounded-3 p-3" style="max-width:20rem">
  <div class="overflow-hidden fw-semibold lh-sm" style="height:2.5em">
    Skills employers are looking for - Clear prices, honest advice and no surprises along the way.
  </div>
  <div class="small text-body-secondary mt-1">
    Sep 15, 2026
  </div>
</div>

12Sidebar that scrolls separately

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

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

Tips for learning while working full time

<div class="overflow-auto border rounded-3" style="height:160px;max-width:26rem">
  <img src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1516321497487-e288fb19713f?auto=format&fit=crop&w=1600&h=700&q=70" alt="Tips for learning while working full time" 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

Career coaching

Certificates

Doing

Live workshops

Done

Online courses

<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">
      Career coaching
    </div>
    <div class="bg-body border rounded-2 p-2 small">
      Certificates
    </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">
      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">
      Done
    </div>
    <div class="bg-body border rounded-2 p-2 small">
      Online courses
    </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.

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

<div class="overflow-y-scroll border rounded-3 p-2 small" style="height:90px">
  We keep things simple, so you can focus on what matters to you.
</div>

17Notification panel

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

Notifications

Career coaches help with your CV, portfolio and interview practice.

Our team has done this many times, so you never have to guess.

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

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

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">
      Career coaches help with your CV, portfolio and interview practice.
    </div>
    <div class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom small">
      Our team has done this many times, so you never have to guess.
    </div>
    <div class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom small">
      Thousands of students already trust us, and we work hard to keep it that way.
    </div>
    <div class="px-3 py-2 small">
      Guided learning paths take you from beginner to job-ready step by step.
    </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.

Study smarter with guided paths

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

<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">Study smarter with guided paths</h3>
  <p class="small mb-0 position-relative">Every course is built around hands-on projects you can add to your portfolio.</p>
</div>

19Long word handling

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

downloads/hiveia/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/hiveia/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/hiveia/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	22	211 GB	Email and chat	Unlimited	$56.10

<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>22</td>
        <td>211 GB</td>
        <td>Email and chat</td>
        <td>Unlimited</td>
        <td>$56.10</td>
      </tr>
    </tbody>
  </table>
</div>