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

Thousands of shoppers already trust us, and we work hard to keep it that way. Friendly people answer your questions quickly, by phone, chat or email. Free shipping on orders over $50 and easy returns within 30 days. Our team has done this many times, so you never have to guess.

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">
      Thousands of shoppers already trust us, and we work hard to keep it that way. Friendly people answer your questions quickly, by phone, chat or email. Free shipping on orders over $50 and easy returns within 30 days. Our team has done this many times, so you never have to guess.
    </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">
      Thousands of shoppers already trust us, and we work hard to keep it that way. Friendly people answer your questions quickly, by phone, chat or email. Free shipping on orders over $50 and easy returns within 30 days. Our team has done this many times, so you never have to guess.
    </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">
      Thousands of shoppers already trust us, and we work hard to keep it that way. Friendly people answer your questions quickly, by phone, chat or email. Free shipping on orders over $50 and easy returns within 30 days. Our team has done this many times, so you never have to guess.
    </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">
      Thousands of shoppers already trust us, and we work hard to keep it that way. Friendly people answer your questions quickly, by phone, chat or email. Free shipping on orders over $50 and easy returns within 30 days. Our team has done this many times, so you never have to guess.
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

2Horizontal scroll only

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

Loyalty rewards

Live order tracking

Free shipping

<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">
      Loyalty rewards
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="fw-semibold small">
      Live order tracking
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="fw-semibold small">
      Free shipping
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="fw-semibold small">
      Free shipping
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="fw-semibold small">
      Free shipping
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

3Vertical scroll only

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

Diego Delgado
Nora Tanaka
Arjun Kowalski
Nadia Haddad
Lea Silva
Kenji Harlow

<ul class="list-unstyled border rounded-3 overflow-y-auto mb-0" style="max-height:150px">
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Diego Delgado</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Nora Tanaka</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Arjun Kowalski</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Nadia Haddad</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Lea Silva</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2">Kenji Harlow</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-1441986300917-64674bd600d8?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-1441984904996-e0b6ba687e04?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-4790	Liam Alvarez	Vancouver	Nov 8, 2025	Completed	$196.90
#ORD-1550	Tariq Ortega	Kyoto	Dec 2, 2025	On hold	$869.39

<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-4790</td>
        <td>Liam Alvarez</td>
        <td>Vancouver</td>
        <td>Nov 8, 2025</td>
        <td>Completed</td>
        <td>$196.90</td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>#ORD-1550</td>
        <td>Tariq Ortega</td>
        <td>Kyoto</td>
        <td>Dec 2, 2025</td>
        <td>On hold</td>
        <td>$869.39</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/lumenen --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/lumenen --base ./ --sourcemap false --emptyOutDir</code></pre>

7Chat window

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

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

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

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

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

<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">
      Thousands of shoppers already trust us, and we work hard to keep it that way.
    </div>
    <div class="align-self-end text-bg-primary rounded-3 px-2 py-1 small">
      Clear prices, honest advice and no surprises along the way.
    </div>
    <div class="align-self-start bg-body-tertiary rounded-3 px-2 py-1 small">
      We listen first, then build a plan around what you actually need.
    </div>
    <div class="align-self-end text-bg-primary rounded-3 px-2 py-1 small">
      Every detail is handled by people who care about getting it right.
    </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">Beauty</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">Beauty</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-pill text-nowrap">update</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-pill text-nowrap">idea</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

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. Every piece is made in small batches from materials we test ourselves.

Order before 2 pm and most items leave our warehouse the same day. Gift wrapping and a handwritten note are free on every order. Our packaging is plastic-free and every delivery is carbon-neutral. Members get early access to new drops and prices only they can see.

Thousands of five-star reviews from customers who came back for more. Each product is checked by hand before it goes into the box. New pieces arrive every month, and the best ones sell out fast.

<div class="border rounded-3 p-3 overflow-auto small bg-body-tertiary" style="height:130px">
  <h3 class="h6">Terms of use</h3>
  <p>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. Every piece is made in small batches from materials we test ourselves.</p>
  <p>Order before 2 pm and most items leave our warehouse the same day. Gift wrapping and a handwritten note are free on every order. Our packaging is plastic-free and every delivery is carbon-neutral. Members get early access to new drops and prices only they can see.</p>
  <p class="mb-0">Thousands of five-star reviews from customers who came back for more. Each product is checked by hand before it goes into the box. New pieces arrive every month, and the best ones sell out fast.</p>
</div>

10Visible overflow for a badge

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

overflow-hidden5

overflow-visible5

<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">5</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">5</span>
  </div>
</div>

11Hidden overflow for a cropped title

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

Style that works as hard as you do - Pay securely with card, wallet or in three interest-free instalments.

Oct 18, 2025

<div class="border rounded-3 p-3" style="max-width:20rem">
  <div class="overflow-hidden fw-semibold lh-sm" style="height:2.5em">
    Style that works as hard as you do - Pay securely with card, wallet or in three interest-free instalments.
  </div>
  <div class="small text-body-secondary mt-1">
    Oct 18, 2025
  </div>
</div>

12Sidebar that scrolls separately

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

We keep things simple, so you can focus on what matters to you. Not sure about the size? Our fit guide and live chat help you choose.

<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 keep things simple, so you can focus on what matters to you. Not sure about the size? Our fit guide and live chat help you choose.
  </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-1443884590026-2e4d21aee71c?auto=format&fit=crop&w=1600&h=700&q=70" alt="Styling one piece three different ways" 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

30-day returns

Free shipping

Doing

Secure checkout

Done

Free shipping

<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">
      30-day returns
    </div>
    <div class="bg-body border rounded-2 p-2 small mb-2">
      Free shipping
    </div>
    <div class="bg-body border rounded-2 p-2 small">
      Free shipping
    </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">
      Secure checkout
    </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">
      Free shipping
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

15Overflow-x hidden

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

Free shipping on orders over $50 and easy returns within 30 days.

Panel partly off the edge

<div class="position-relative overflow-x-hidden border rounded-3 p-3" style="height:110px">
  <div class="small">
    Free shipping on orders over $50 and easy returns within 30 days.
  </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 measure success by how many shoppers come back and tell their friends.

<div class="overflow-y-scroll border rounded-3 p-2 small" style="height:90px">
  We measure success by how many shoppers come back and tell their friends.
</div>

17Notification panel

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

Notifications

We work directly with makers, so prices stay fair for everyone.

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

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

Thousands of five-star reviews from customers who came back for more.

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">
      We work directly with makers, so prices stay fair for everyone.
    </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">
      We listen first, then build a plan around what you actually need.
    </div>
    <div class="px-3 py-2 small">
      Thousands of five-star reviews from customers who came back for more.
    </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.

Small batches, big on quality

Free shipping on orders over $50 and easy returns within 30 days.

<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">Small batches, big on quality</h3>
  <p class="small mb-0 position-relative">Free shipping on orders over $50 and easy returns within 30 days.</p>
</div>

19Long word handling

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

downloads/lumenen/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/lumenen/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/lumenen/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	28	169 GB	Email and chat	Unlimited	$44.72

<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>28</td>
        <td>169 GB</td>
        <td>Email and chat</td>
        <td>Unlimited</td>
        <td>$44.72</td>
      </tr>
    </tbody>
  </table>
</div>