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-autooverflow-hiddenoverflow-visibleoverflow-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">
Our annual report is independently audited and published in full. Every detail is handled by people who care about getting it right. Ninety cents of every dollar goes directly to the projects you support. 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">
Our annual report is independently audited and published in full. Every detail is handled by people who care about getting it right. Ninety cents of every dollar goes directly to the projects you support. 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">
Our annual report is independently audited and published in full. Every detail is handled by people who care about getting it right. Ninety cents of every dollar goes directly to the projects you support. 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">
Our annual report is independently audited and published in full. Every detail is handled by people who care about getting it right. Ninety cents of every dollar goes directly to the projects you support. 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.
<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">
Education fund
</div>
</div>
<div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
<div class="fw-semibold small">
Education fund
</div>
</div>
<div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
<div class="fw-semibold small">
Education fund
</div>
</div>
<div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
<div class="fw-semibold small">
Food relief
</div>
</div>
<div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
<div class="fw-semibold small">
Education fund
</div>
</div>
</div>3Vertical scroll only
overflow-y-auto and a max-height make a scrolling list.
- Zoe Harlow
- Maya Quinn
- Mateo Kim
- Arjun Rossi
- Aria Lindqvist
- Lucas Nguyen
<ul class="list-unstyled border rounded-3 overflow-y-auto mb-0" style="max-height:150px">
<li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Zoe Harlow</li>
<li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Maya Quinn</li>
<li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Mateo Kim</li>
<li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Arjun Rossi</li>
<li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Aria Lindqvist</li>
<li class="px-3 py-2">Lucas Nguyen</li>
</ul>4Hidden to clip rounded corners
overflow-hidden on a rounded card clips the image corners.
<div class="row g-3">
<div class="col-6">
<div class="border rounded-4">
<img src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1557660559-42497f78035b?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-1560220604-1985ebfe28b1?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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #ORD-7377 | Kenji Duarte | Lisbon | Aug 29, 2026 | Draft | $251.90 |
| #PO-2759 | Omar Kowalski | Singapore | Sep 17, 2026 | Overdue | $354.80 |
<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>#ORD-7377</td>
<td>Kenji Duarte</td>
<td>Lisbon</td>
<td>Aug 29, 2026</td>
<td>Draft</td>
<td>$251.90</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>#PO-2759</td>
<td>Omar Kowalski</td>
<td>Singapore</td>
<td>Sep 17, 2026</td>
<td>Overdue</td>
<td>$354.80</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/lumen-co --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/lumen-co --base ./ --sourcemap false --emptyOutDir</code></pre>7Chat window
A fixed height message area with overflow-y-auto above a fixed input.
<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">
Local partners know their communities and make sure help arrives where it matters.
</div>
<div class="align-self-end text-bg-primary 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-start bg-body-tertiary rounded-3 px-2 py-1 small">
Monthly gifts let us plan ahead and respond quickly when disaster strikes.
</div>
<div class="align-self-end text-bg-primary rounded-3 px-2 py-1 small">
We have helped more than two hundred thousand people since we started.
</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">Animals</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-pill text-nowrap">tutorial</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-pill text-nowrap">Relief</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">story</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-pill text-nowrap">practical</a>
</nav>9Terms box
A long text inside a bordered box with overflow-auto, like a licence agreement.
Terms of use
You receive photos and updates showing exactly what your donation achieved. Our team has done this many times, so you never have to guess. Friendly people answer your questions quickly, by phone, chat or email. Companies can match employee donations and double their impact.
Clean water wells are built with and maintained by local communities. Local partners know their communities and make sure help arrives where it matters. Leave a gift in your will and help future generations. Every detail is handled by people who care about getting it right.
Monthly gifts let us plan ahead and respond quickly when disaster strikes. Start in minutes and get help from a real person whenever you need it. Companies can match employee donations and double their impact. We keep things simple, so you can focus on what matters to you.
<div class="border rounded-3 p-3 overflow-auto small bg-body-tertiary" style="height:130px">
<h3 class="h6">Terms of use</h3>
<p>You receive photos and updates showing exactly what your donation achieved. Our team has done this many times, so you never have to guess. Friendly people answer your questions quickly, by phone, chat or email. Companies can match employee donations and double their impact.</p>
<p>Clean water wells are built with and maintained by local communities. Local partners know their communities and make sure help arrives where it matters. Leave a gift in your will and help future generations. Every detail is handled by people who care about getting it right.</p>
<p class="mb-0">Monthly gifts let us plan ahead and respond quickly when disaster strikes. Start in minutes and get help from a real person whenever you need it. Companies can match employee donations and double their impact. We keep things simple, so you can focus on what matters to you.</p>
</div>10Visible overflow for a badge
overflow-visible lets a badge stick out of a box that would otherwise clip it.
<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">2</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.
<div class="border rounded-3 p-3" style="max-width:20rem">
<div class="overflow-hidden fw-semibold lh-sm" style="height:2.5em">
Hope starts with you - Every donation is tax-deductible, and receipts arrive by email instantly.
</div>
<div class="small text-body-secondary mt-1">
May 11, 2026
</div>
</div>12Sidebar that scrolls separately
The nav column scrolls with overflow-y-auto while the content stays put.
<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">
Clean water wells are built with and maintained by local communities. We have helped more than two hundred thousand people since we started.
</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-1706806595136-5afefb45da1a?auto=format&fit=crop&w=1600&h=700&q=70" alt="Ten ways to fundraise with friends" 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.
<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">
Clean water
</div>
<div class="bg-body border rounded-2 p-2 small mb-2">
Education fund
</div>
<div class="bg-body border rounded-2 p-2 small">
Food relief
</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">
Volunteer programs
</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">
Volunteer programs
</div>
</div>
</div>15Overflow-x hidden
overflow-x-hidden hides content that slides in from the side, like an off-screen panel.
<div class="position-relative overflow-x-hidden border rounded-3 p-3" style="height:110px">
<div class="small">
Ninety cents of every dollar goes directly to the projects you support.
</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.
<div class="overflow-y-scroll border rounded-3 p-2 small" style="height:90px">
Friendly people answer your questions quickly, by phone, chat or email.
</div>17Notification panel
A dropdown-like panel with header, scrolling body and footer.
<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">
Our annual report is independently audited and published in full.
</div>
<div class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom small">
A school kit costs less than a cinema ticket and lasts a whole year.
</div>
<div class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom small">
Thousands of donors already trust us, and we work hard to keep it that way.
</div>
<div class="px-3 py-2 small">
You receive photos and updates showing exactly what your donation achieved.
</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.
Help us build a kinder world
We listen first, then build a plan around what you actually need.
<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">Help us build a kinder world</h3>
<p class="small mb-0 position-relative">We listen first, then build a plan around what you actually need.</p>
</div>19Long word handling
overflow-hidden plus text-truncate versus text-break for an unbreakable string.
<div class="row g-2 small">
<div class="col-sm-6">
<div class="border rounded-3 p-2 text-truncate">
downloads/lumen-co/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/lumen-co/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 | 14 | 295 GB | Email and chat | Unlimited | $48.69 |
<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>14</td>
<td>295 GB</td>
<td>Email and chat</td>
<td>Unlimited</td>
<td>$48.69</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>