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

Clear prices, honest advice and no surprises along the way. Our team has done this many times, so you never have to guess. Community events keep you motivated, from fun runs to workshops. Friendly people answer your questions quickly, by phone, chat or email.

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">
      Clear prices, honest advice and no surprises along the way. Our team has done this many times, so you never have to guess. Community events keep you motivated, from fun runs to workshops. Friendly people answer your questions quickly, by phone, chat or email.
    </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">
      Clear prices, honest advice and no surprises along the way. Our team has done this many times, so you never have to guess. Community events keep you motivated, from fun runs to workshops. Friendly people answer your questions quickly, by phone, chat or email.
    </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">
      Clear prices, honest advice and no surprises along the way. Our team has done this many times, so you never have to guess. Community events keep you motivated, from fun runs to workshops. Friendly people answer your questions quickly, by phone, chat or email.
    </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">
      Clear prices, honest advice and no surprises along the way. Our team has done this many times, so you never have to guess. Community events keep you motivated, from fun runs to workshops. Friendly people answer your questions quickly, by phone, chat or email.
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

2Horizontal scroll only

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

Nutrition plans

Group classes

Personal training

Online coaching

Personal training

<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">
      Nutrition plans
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="fw-semibold small">
      Group classes
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="fw-semibold small">
      Personal training
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="fw-semibold small">
      Online coaching
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="fw-semibold small">
      Personal training
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

3Vertical scroll only

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

Jonah Kim
Sofia Haddad
Owen Larsen
Leo Mensah
Ravi Nguyen
Nadia Novak

<ul class="list-unstyled border rounded-3 overflow-y-auto mb-0" style="max-height:150px">
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Jonah Kim</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Sofia Haddad</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Owen Larsen</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Leo Mensah</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Ravi Nguyen</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2">Nadia Novak</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-1517836357463-d25dfeac3438?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-1761839258420-5c3e2f2e2a74?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
#PO-6255	Kenji Sato	Lisbon	Dec 24, 2025	Shipped	$650.45
#ORD-9688	Felix Kowalski	Vancouver	Jul 10, 2026	Completed	$124.15

<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>#PO-6255</td>
        <td>Kenji Sato</td>
        <td>Lisbon</td>
        <td>Dec 24, 2025</td>
        <td>Shipped</td>
        <td>$650.45</td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>#ORD-9688</td>
        <td>Felix Kowalski</td>
        <td>Vancouver</td>
        <td>Jul 10, 2026</td>
        <td>Completed</td>
        <td>$124.15</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/kiteera --base ./ --sourcemap false --emptyOutDir

<pre v-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/kiteera --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.

Open 24 hours, so you can train whenever it suits your day.

Track your progress in the app and see how far you have come.

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

<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">
      Open 24 hours, so you can train whenever it suits your day.
    </div>
    <div class="align-self-start bg-body-tertiary rounded-3 px-2 py-1 small">
      Track your progress in the app and see how far you have come.
    </div>
    <div class="align-self-end text-bg-primary rounded-3 px-2 py-1 small">
      We listen first, then build a plan around what you actually need.
    </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">HIIT</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-pill text-nowrap">guide</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-pill text-nowrap">Cardio</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-pill text-nowrap">design</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-pill text-nowrap">launch</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-pill text-nowrap">focused</a> 
</nav>

9Terms box

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

Terms of use

Our recovery spa has a sauna, cold plunge and massage rooms. Pause or change your membership any time, with no long contracts. Certified coaches design every session around your level and your goals. Start in minutes and get help from a real person whenever you need it.

Beginners are always welcome, with an intro session included. Friendly people answer your questions quickly, by phone, chat or email. Thousands of members already trust us, and we work hard to keep it that way.

Online coaching keeps you on track when you travel. Pause or change your membership any time, with no long contracts. Modern equipment is cleaned, serviced and ready every day. Our recovery spa has a sauna, cold plunge and massage rooms.

<div class="border rounded-3 p-3 overflow-auto small bg-body-tertiary" style="height:130px">
  <h3 class="h6">Terms of use</h3>
  <p>Our recovery spa has a sauna, cold plunge and massage rooms. Pause or change your membership any time, with no long contracts. Certified coaches design every session around your level and your goals. Start in minutes and get help from a real person whenever you need it.</p>
  <p>Beginners are always welcome, with an intro session included. Friendly people answer your questions quickly, by phone, chat or email. Thousands of members already trust us, and we work hard to keep it that way.</p>
  <p class="mb-0">Online coaching keeps you on track when you travel. Pause or change your membership any time, with no long contracts. Modern equipment is cleaned, serviced and ready every day. Our recovery spa has a sauna, cold plunge and massage rooms.</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.

Stronger every single day - More than sixty classes a week, from sunrise yoga to late-night spin.

Jun 8, 2026

<div class="border rounded-3 p-3" style="max-width:20rem">
  <div class="overflow-hidden fw-semibold lh-sm" style="height:2.5em">
    Stronger every single day - More than sixty classes a week, from sunrise yoga to late-night spin.
  </div>
  <div class="small text-body-secondary mt-1">
    Jun 8, 2026
  </div>
</div>

12Sidebar that scrolls separately

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

We listen first, then build a plan around what you actually need. Community events keep you motivated, from fun runs to workshops.

<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 listen first, then build a plan around what you actually need. Community events keep you motivated, from fun runs to workshops.
  </div>
</div>

13Image pan area

A large image in an overflow-auto box can be scrolled in both directions.

Running your first 5K: an eight-week plan

<div class="overflow-auto border rounded-3" style="height:160px;max-width:26rem">
  <img src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1761839258420-5c3e2f2e2a74?auto=format&fit=crop&w=1600&h=700&q=70" alt="Running your first 5K: an eight-week plan" 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

Group classes

Recovery spa

Online coaching

Doing

Nutrition plans

Done

Recovery spa

<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">
      Group classes
    </div>
    <div class="bg-body border rounded-2 p-2 small mb-2">
      Recovery spa
    </div>
    <div class="bg-body border rounded-2 p-2 small">
      Online coaching
    </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">
      Nutrition plans
    </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">
      Recovery spa
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

15Overflow-x hidden

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

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

Panel partly off the edge

<div class="position-relative overflow-x-hidden border rounded-3 p-3" style="height:110px">
  <div class="small">
    We measure success by how many members come back and tell their friends.
  </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.

Open 24 hours, so you can train whenever it suits your day.

<div class="overflow-y-scroll border rounded-3 p-2 small" style="height:90px">
  Open 24 hours, so you can train whenever it suits your day.
</div>

17Notification panel

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

Notifications

Beginners are always welcome, with an intro session included.

Certified coaches design every session around your level and your goals.

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

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">
      Beginners are always welcome, with an intro session included.
    </div>
    <div class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom small">
      Certified coaches design every session around your level and your goals.
    </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 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.

Feel at home in your gym

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

<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">Feel at home in your gym</h3>
  <p class="small mb-0 position-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.

downloads/kiteera/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/kiteera/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/kiteera/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	49	356 GB	Email and chat	Unlimited	$73.21

<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>49</td>
        <td>356 GB</td>
        <td>Email and chat</td>
        <td>Unlimited</td>
        <td>$73.21</td>
      </tr>
    </tbody>
  </table>
</div>