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

Small group classes mean your coach knows your name and your form. We measure success by how many members come back and tell their friends. Pause or change your membership any time, with no long contracts. Thousands of members already trust us, and we work hard to keep it that way.

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">
      Small group classes mean your coach knows your name and your form. We measure success by how many members come back and tell their friends. Pause or change your membership any time, with no long contracts. Thousands of members already trust us, and we work hard to keep it that way.
    </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">
      Small group classes mean your coach knows your name and your form. We measure success by how many members come back and tell their friends. Pause or change your membership any time, with no long contracts. Thousands of members already trust us, and we work hard to keep it that way.
    </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">
      Small group classes mean your coach knows your name and your form. We measure success by how many members come back and tell their friends. Pause or change your membership any time, with no long contracts. Thousands of members already trust us, and we work hard to keep it that way.
    </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">
      Small group classes mean your coach knows your name and your form. We measure success by how many members come back and tell their friends. Pause or change your membership any time, with no long contracts. Thousands of members already trust us, and we work hard to keep it that way.
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

2Horizontal scroll only

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

Recovery spa

Group classes

Recovery spa

<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">
      Recovery spa
    </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">
      Group classes
    </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">
      Recovery spa
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

3Vertical scroll only

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

Luna Fischer
Mason Moreau
Aria Lindqvist
Felix Okafor
Arjun Nguyen
Elena Brennan

<ul class="list-unstyled border rounded-3 overflow-y-auto mb-0" style="max-height:150px">
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Luna Fischer</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Mason Moreau</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Aria Lindqvist</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Felix Okafor</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Arjun Nguyen</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2">Elena Brennan</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
#INV-2560	Mia Novak	Valencia	Sep 27, 2025	Active	$264.90
#ORD-1845	Ethan Kim	Cape Town	Sep 14, 2025	Active	$144.28

<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-2560</td>
        <td>Mia Novak</td>
        <td>Valencia</td>
        <td>Sep 27, 2025</td>
        <td>Active</td>
        <td>$264.90</td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>#ORD-1845</td>
        <td>Ethan Kim</td>
        <td>Cape Town</td>
        <td>Sep 14, 2025</td>
        <td>Active</td>
        <td>$144.28</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/lumenan-studio --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/lumenan-studio --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.

Small group classes mean your coach knows your name and your form.

Beginners are always welcome, with an intro session included.

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">
      Small group classes mean your coach knows your name and your form.
    </div>
    <div class="align-self-start bg-body-tertiary rounded-3 px-2 py-1 small">
      Beginners are always welcome, with an intro session included.
    </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">Cardio</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-pill text-nowrap">case study</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-pill text-nowrap">Strength</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">launch</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-pill text-nowrap">elegant</a> 
</nav>

9Terms box

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

Terms of use

Track your progress in the app and see how far you have come. Community events keep you motivated, from fun runs to workshops. Every detail is handled by people who care about getting it right. Nutrition plans fit your routine and the food you actually enjoy.

Modern equipment is cleaned, serviced and ready every day. Online coaching keeps you on track when you travel. Certified coaches design every session around your level and your goals.

Our recovery spa has a sauna, cold plunge and massage rooms. Friendly people answer your questions quickly, by phone, chat or email. Start in minutes and get help from a real person whenever you need it. More than sixty classes a week, from sunrise yoga to late-night spin.

<div class="border rounded-3 p-3 overflow-auto small bg-body-tertiary" style="height:130px">
  <h3 class="h6">Terms of use</h3>
  <p>Track your progress in the app and see how far you have come. Community events keep you motivated, from fun runs to workshops. Every detail is handled by people who care about getting it right. Nutrition plans fit your routine and the food you actually enjoy.</p>
  <p>Modern equipment is cleaned, serviced and ready every day. Online coaching keeps you on track when you travel. Certified coaches design every session around your level and your goals.</p>
  <p class="mb-0">Our recovery spa has a sauna, cold plunge and massage rooms. Friendly people answer your questions quickly, by phone, chat or email. Start in minutes and get help from a real person whenever you need it. More than sixty classes a week, from sunrise yoga to late-night spin.</p>
</div>

10Visible overflow for a badge

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

overflow-hidden7

overflow-visible4

<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">7</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">4</span>
  </div>
</div>

11Hidden overflow for a cropped title

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

The community that makes you stronger - Our team has done this many times, so you never have to guess.

Feb 24, 2026

<div class="border rounded-3 p-3" style="max-width:20rem">
  <div class="overflow-hidden fw-semibold lh-sm" style="height:2.5em">
    The community that makes you stronger - Our team has done this many times, so you never have to guess.
  </div>
  <div class="small text-body-secondary mt-1">
    Feb 24, 2026
  </div>
</div>

12Sidebar that scrolls separately

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

Open 24 hours, so you can train whenever it suits your day. Clear prices, honest advice and no surprises along the way.

<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">
    Open 24 hours, so you can train whenever it suits your day. Clear prices, honest advice and no surprises along the way.
  </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-1689877020200-403d8542d95d?auto=format&fit=crop&w=1600&h=700&q=70" alt="Five stretches for desk workers" 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

Recovery spa

Nutrition plans

Group classes

Doing

Recovery spa

Done

Nutrition plans

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

15Overflow-x hidden

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

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

Panel partly off the edge

<div class="position-relative overflow-x-hidden border rounded-3 p-3" style="height:110px">
  <div class="small">
    Friendly people answer your questions quickly, by phone, chat or email.
  </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

Small group classes mean your coach knows your name and your form.

Clear prices, honest advice and no surprises along the way.

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

Community events keep you motivated, from fun runs to workshops.

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">
      Small group classes mean your coach knows your name and your form.
    </div>
    <div class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom small">
      Clear prices, honest advice and no surprises along the way.
    </div>
    <div class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom small">
      More than sixty classes a week, from sunrise yoga to late-night spin.
    </div>
    <div class="px-3 py-2 small">
      Community events keep you motivated, from fun runs to workshops.
    </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

Pause or change your membership any time, with no long contracts.

<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">Pause or change your membership any time, with no long contracts.</p>
</div>

19Long word handling

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

downloads/lumenan-studio/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/lumenan-studio/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/lumenan-studio/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	20	103 GB	Email and chat	Unlimited	$50.30

<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>20</td>
        <td>103 GB</td>
        <td>Email and chat</td>
        <td>Unlimited</td>
        <td>$50.30</td>
      </tr>
    </tbody>
  </table>
</div>