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

Vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free dishes are marked clearly on every menu. We keep things simple, so you can focus on what matters to you. We have been feeding this neighbourhood for over a decade, and we still love it. Start in minutes and get help from a real person whenever you need it.

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">
      Vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free dishes are marked clearly on every menu. We keep things simple, so you can focus on what matters to you. We have been feeding this neighbourhood for over a decade, and we still love it. Start in minutes and get help from a real person whenever you need it.
    </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">
      Vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free dishes are marked clearly on every menu. We keep things simple, so you can focus on what matters to you. We have been feeding this neighbourhood for over a decade, and we still love it. Start in minutes and get help from a real person whenever you need it.
    </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">
      Vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free dishes are marked clearly on every menu. We keep things simple, so you can focus on what matters to you. We have been feeding this neighbourhood for over a decade, and we still love it. Start in minutes and get help from a real person whenever you need it.
    </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">
      Vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free dishes are marked clearly on every menu. We keep things simple, so you can focus on what matters to you. We have been feeding this neighbourhood for over a decade, and we still love it. Start in minutes and get help from a real person whenever you need it.
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

2Horizontal scroll only

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

Wine pairing

Cooking classes

Private events

Wine pairing

Catering

<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">
      Wine pairing
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="fw-semibold small">
      Cooking classes
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="fw-semibold small">
      Private events
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="fw-semibold small">
      Wine pairing
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="fw-semibold small">
      Catering
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

3Vertical scroll only

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

Felix Silva
Noah Delgado
Kenji Hughes
Diego Whitaker
Leo Patel
Priya Carter

<ul class="list-unstyled border rounded-3 overflow-y-auto mb-0" style="max-height:150px">
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Felix Silva</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Noah Delgado</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Kenji Hughes</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Diego Whitaker</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Leo Patel</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2">Priya Carter</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-1517248135467-4c7edcad34c4?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-1565895405140-6b9830a88c19?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-7490	Ethan Ibrahim	Porto	Feb 20, 2026	Cancelled	$525.67
#PO-3197	Nadia Fischer	Edinburgh	May 10, 2026	Overdue	$213.08

<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-7490</td>
        <td>Ethan Ibrahim</td>
        <td>Porto</td>
        <td>Feb 20, 2026</td>
        <td>Cancelled</td>
        <td>$525.67</td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>#PO-3197</td>
        <td>Nadia Fischer</td>
        <td>Edinburgh</td>
        <td>May 10, 2026</td>
        <td>Overdue</td>
        <td>$213.08</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/koraara-deck --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/koraara-deck --base ./ --sourcemap false --emptyOutDir</code></pre>

7Chat window

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

Private dining rooms seat up to forty guests for birthdays and business dinners.

Children are always welcome, with a menu made just for them.

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

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

<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">
      Private dining rooms seat up to forty guests for birthdays and business dinners.
    </div>
    <div class="align-self-end text-bg-primary rounded-3 px-2 py-1 small">
      Children are always welcome, with a menu made just for them.
    </div>
    <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">
      Friendly people answer your questions quickly, by phone, chat or email.
    </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">Desserts</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">Mains</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-pill text-nowrap">how-to</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-pill text-nowrap">story</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-pill text-nowrap">powerful</a> 
</nav>

9Terms box

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

Terms of use

Our sommelier has paired each dish with wines from small family vineyards. We listen first, then build a plan around what you actually need. Thousands of guests already trust us, and we work hard to keep it that way. Every dish is cooked to order, so tell us if you would like anything changed.

Cooking classes on Saturday mornings teach you our favourite recipes. Bread is baked every morning and pasta is rolled by hand in our kitchen. Clear prices, honest advice and no surprises along the way. Our menu changes with the seasons and the best produce from nearby farms.

Book a table online in seconds, or call us for groups of eight or more. We measure success by how many guests come back and tell their friends. Order for pickup or delivery and enjoy the same dishes at home.

<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 sommelier has paired each dish with wines from small family vineyards. We listen first, then build a plan around what you actually need. Thousands of guests already trust us, and we work hard to keep it that way. Every dish is cooked to order, so tell us if you would like anything changed.</p>
  <p>Cooking classes on Saturday mornings teach you our favourite recipes. Bread is baked every morning and pasta is rolled by hand in our kitchen. Clear prices, honest advice and no surprises along the way. Our menu changes with the seasons and the best produce from nearby farms.</p>
  <p class="mb-0">Book a table online in seconds, or call us for groups of eight or more. We measure success by how many guests come back and tell their friends. Order for pickup or delivery and enjoy the same dishes at home.</p>
</div>

10Visible overflow for a badge

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

overflow-hidden1

overflow-visible9

<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">1</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">9</span>
  </div>
</div>

11Hidden overflow for a cropped title

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

A table for every occasion - Our team has done this many times, so you never have to guess.

Apr 29, 2026

<div class="border rounded-3 p-3" style="max-width:20rem">
  <div class="overflow-hidden fw-semibold lh-sm" style="height:2.5em">
    A table for every occasion - Our team has done this many times, so you never have to guess.
  </div>
  <div class="small text-body-secondary mt-1">
    Apr 29, 2026
  </div>
</div>

12Sidebar that scrolls separately

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

Vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free dishes are marked clearly on every menu. Our terrace is open from spring to autumn, with heaters for cooler evenings.

<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">
    Vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free dishes are marked clearly on every menu. Our terrace is open from spring to autumn, with heaters for cooler evenings.
  </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-1570560258879-af7f8e1447ac?auto=format&fit=crop&w=1600&h=700&q=70" alt="The story of our wood-fired oven" 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

Catering

Takeaway

Cooking classes

Doing

Private events

Done

Private events

<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">
      Catering
    </div>
    <div class="bg-body border rounded-2 p-2 small mb-2">
      Takeaway
    </div>
    <div class="bg-body border rounded-2 p-2 small">
      Cooking classes
    </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">
      Private events
    </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">
      Private events
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

15Overflow-x hidden

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

Bread is baked every morning and pasta is rolled by hand in our kitchen.

Panel partly off the edge

<div class="position-relative overflow-x-hidden border rounded-3 p-3" style="height:110px">
  <div class="small">
    Bread is baked every morning and pasta is rolled by hand in our kitchen.
  </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.

Book a table online in seconds, or call us for groups of eight or more.

<div class="overflow-y-scroll border rounded-3 p-2 small" style="height:90px">
  Book a table online in seconds, or call us for groups of eight or more.
</div>

17Notification panel

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

Notifications

Cooking classes on Saturday mornings teach you our favourite recipes.

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

Children are always welcome, with a menu made just for them.

We measure success by how many guests 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">
      Cooking classes on Saturday mornings teach you our favourite recipes.
    </div>
    <div class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom small">
      Start in minutes and get help from a real person whenever you need it.
    </div>
    <div class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom small">
      Children are always welcome, with a menu made just for them.
    </div>
    <div class="px-3 py-2 small">
      We measure success by how many guests 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.

The neighbourhood kitchen everyone loves

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

<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 neighbourhood kitchen everyone loves</h3>
  <p class="small mb-0 position-relative">We keep things simple, so you can focus on what matters to you.</p>
</div>

19Long word handling

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

downloads/koraara-deck/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/koraara-deck/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/koraara-deck/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	8	212 GB	Email and chat	Unlimited	$24.72

<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>8</td>
        <td>212 GB</td>
        <td>Email and chat</td>
        <td>Unlimited</td>
        <td>$24.72</td>
      </tr>
    </tbody>
  </table>
</div>