A clearfix makes a parent element wrap around its floated children again, so borders, backgrounds and the content that follows stay where you expect. The examples outline every parent with a dashed border and every floated box with a solid one, so you can see the helper at work.
The parent wraps a float-start and a float-end button, so its dashed border surrounds both.
Dashed border: the .clearfix parent. It keeps its height even though both children float.
<div class="hp-cf clearfix">
<button type="button" class="btn btn-outline-secondary float-start">Back</button>
<button type="button" class="btn btn-primary float-end">Continue</button>
</div>
<p class="small text-body-secondary mt-2 mb-0">Dashed border: the .clearfix parent. It keeps its height even though both children float.</p>Side by side comparison: without the helper the parent collapses to its padding and the float hangs out.
Without .clearfix
With .clearfix
<div class="row g-3">
<div class="col-sm-6">
<p class="small fw-semibold mb-1">Without .clearfix</p>
<div class="overflow-hidden pb-5">
<div class="hp-cf">
<div class="hp-fl float-start px-3 py-4">
Float
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="col-sm-6">
<p class="small fw-semibold mb-1">With .clearfix</p>
<div class="hp-cf clearfix">
<div class="hp-fl float-start px-3 py-4">
Float
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>A floated avatar beside a short bio; the clearfix stops the next block from sliding up next to the image.
Backend Engineer, Copenhagen
This paragraph starts below the avatar, not beside it.
<div class="hp-cf clearfix">
<img src="../assets/img/avatar-12.svg" alt="Kenji Ortega" width="72" height="72" class="hp-fl rounded-circle float-start me-3 mb-2">
<h3 class="h6 mb-1">Kenji Ortega</h3>
<p class="small text-body-secondary mb-0">Backend Engineer, Copenhagen</p>
</div>
<p class="small mt-2 mb-0">This paragraph starts below the avatar, not beside it.</p>A title floated left and a status badge floated right inside a card header.
<div class="card">
<div class="card-header hp-cf clearfix">
<span class="hp-fl float-start px-2 fw-semibold">Secure checkout</span> <span class="badge text-bg-success float-end mt-1">Pending</span>
</div>
<div class="card-body small">
Clear prices, honest advice and no surprises along the way.
</div>
</div>A floated button group and a floated search field share one toolbar row.
<div class="hp-cf clearfix bg-body-tertiary">
<div class="btn-group btn-group-sm float-start" role="group" aria-label="Text style">
<button type="button" class="btn btn-outline-secondary" aria-label="Bold"><i class="bi bi-type-bold" aria-hidden="true"></i></button>
<button type="button" class="btn btn-outline-secondary" aria-label="Italic"><i class="bi bi-type-italic" aria-hidden="true"></i></button>
<button type="button" class="btn btn-outline-secondary" aria-label="Underline"><i class="bi bi-type-underline" aria-hidden="true"></i></button>
</div>
<form class="float-end" role="search">
<label class="visually-hidden" for="hp-search-1231">Search</label>
<input class="form-control form-control-sm" id="hp-search-1231" type="search" placeholder="Search">
</form>
</div>Each list item floats the name left and the price right; clearfix keeps every row its own height.
<ul class="list-group">
<li class="list-group-item hp-cf clearfix"><span class="hp-fl float-start px-2">Hand cream</span><span class="hp-fl float-end px-2 fw-semibold">$17.00</span></li>
<li class="list-group-item hp-cf clearfix"><span class="hp-fl float-start px-2">Running cap</span><span class="hp-fl float-end px-2 fw-semibold">$28.99</span></li>
<li class="list-group-item hp-cf clearfix"><span class="hp-fl float-start px-2">Linen shirt</span><span class="hp-fl float-end px-2 fw-semibold">$68.00</span></li>
<li class="list-group-item hp-cf clearfix"><span class="hp-fl float-start px-2">Ceramic mug</span><span class="hp-fl float-end px-2 fw-semibold">$20.99</span></li>
</ul>A quote floated to the end of the paragraph; the article wrapper is cleared so the next section starts below.
"Quality goods delivered to your door"
Each product is checked by hand before it goes into the box. Members get early access to new drops and prices only they can see. Our packaging is plastic-free and every delivery is carbon-neutral. Free shipping on orders over $50 and easy returns within 30 days.
Not sure about the size? Our fit guide and live chat help you choose.
<article class="hp-cf clearfix">
<blockquote class="hp-fl float-sm-end ms-sm-3 mb-2 p-3 fs-6 fst-italic">"Quality goods delivered to your door"</blockquote>
<p class="mb-2">Each product is checked by hand before it goes into the box. Members get early access to new drops and prices only they can see. Our packaging is plastic-free and every delivery is carbon-neutral. Free shipping on orders over $50 and easy returns within 30 days.</p>
<p class="mb-0">Not sure about the size? Our fit guide and live chat help you choose.</p>
</article>
<h3 class="h6 mt-3 mb-0">Next section starts on a clean line</h3>A comment row with a floated avatar and a floated time stamp.
1 days ago
Ethan Quinn
We keep things simple, so you can focus on what matters to you.
<div class="hp-cf clearfix">
<img src="../assets/img/avatar-1.svg" alt="Ethan Quinn" width="40" height="40" class="rounded-circle float-start me-2"> <small class="hp-fl float-end px-2 text-body-secondary">1 days ago</small> <strong class="d-block">Ethan Quinn</strong>
<p class="small mb-0">We keep things simple, so you can focus on what matters to you.</p>
</div>float-md-start and float-md-end only float from the md breakpoint; below it the boxes stack.
<div class="hp-cf clearfix">
<div class="hp-fl float-md-start p-3 mb-2 mb-md-0">
<i class="bi bi-clock" aria-hidden="true"></i> Opening hours: 18:45
</div>
<div class="hp-fl float-md-end p-3">
<i class="bi bi-geo-alt" aria-hidden="true"></i> Toronto
</div>
</div>Copyright floated left and social links floated right in a page footer.
<footer class="hp-cf clearfix border-top pt-3 small">
<p class="float-start mb-0">© 2026 Mira Deck</p>
<ul class="list-inline float-end mb-0">
<li class="list-inline-item"><a href="#" aria-label="Email"><i class="bi bi-envelope" aria-hidden="true"></i></a></li>
<li class="list-inline-item"><a href="#" aria-label="Chat"><i class="bi bi-chat-dots" aria-hidden="true"></i></a></li>
<li class="list-inline-item"><a href="#" aria-label="Location"><i class="bi bi-geo-alt" aria-hidden="true"></i></a></li>
</ul>
</footer>The totals table floats to the end of an invoice; clearfix keeps the signature line below it.
| Subtotal | $884.00 |
|---|---|
| Tax | $61.88 |
| Total | $945.88 |
Thank you for your order #TX-4303.
<div class="hp-cf clearfix">
<table class="table table-sm hp-fl float-end w-auto mb-2">
<tbody>
<tr>
<th scope="row">Subtotal</th>
<td class="text-end">$884.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th scope="row">Tax</th>
<td class="text-end">$61.88</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th scope="row">Total</th>
<td class="text-end fw-bold">$945.88</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<p class="small text-body-secondary mt-2 mb-0">Thank you for your order #TX-4303.</p>Several floated thumbnails wrap onto new lines; the gallery wrapper still has a real height.
Caption text sits under the gallery.
<div class="hp-cf clearfix">
<img src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1443884590026-2e4d21aee71c?auto=format&fit=crop&w=800&h=800&q=70" alt="Gallery photo 1" width="80" height="80" class="hp-fl float-start me-2 mb-2 rounded"><img src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1598305762558-328f599df683?auto=format&fit=crop&w=800&h=800&q=70" alt="Gallery photo 2" width="80" height="80" class="hp-fl float-start me-2 mb-2 rounded"><img src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1601647998829-ee316a565aea?auto=format&fit=crop&w=800&h=800&q=70" alt="Gallery photo 3" width="80" height="80" class="hp-fl float-start me-2 mb-2 rounded"><img src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1580418835996-7783da1c3c6c?auto=format&fit=crop&w=800&h=800&q=70" alt="Gallery photo 4" width="80" height="80" class="hp-fl float-start me-2 mb-2 rounded"><img src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1441986300917-64674bd600d8?auto=format&fit=crop&w=800&h=800&q=70" alt="Gallery photo 5" width="80" height="80" class="hp-fl float-start me-2 mb-2 rounded"><img src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1441984904996-e0b6ba687e04?auto=format&fit=crop&w=800&h=800&q=70" alt="Gallery photo 6" width="80" height="80" class="hp-fl float-start me-2 mb-2 rounded">
</div>
<p class="small mt-2 mb-0">Caption text sits under the gallery.</p>Buttons floated to the end of a settings form.
<form class="hp-cf clearfix">
<div class="mb-3">
<label class="form-label" for="hp-name-1232">Display name</label>
<input class="form-control" id="hp-name-1232" type="text" value="Finn Larsen">
</div>
<div class="float-end">
<button type="button" class="btn btn-light">Cancel</button>
<button type="submit" class="btn btn-primary">Save changes</button>
</div>
</form>Tags floated one after another; the clearfix parent grows with every wrapped line.
<div class="hp-cf clearfix">
<span class="badge rounded-pill text-bg-light border float-start me-1 mb-1">#community</span><span class="badge rounded-pill text-bg-light border float-start me-1 mb-1">#release</span><span class="badge rounded-pill text-bg-light border float-start me-1 mb-1">#update</span><span class="badge rounded-pill text-bg-light border float-start me-1 mb-1">#tutorial</span><span class="badge rounded-pill text-bg-light border float-start me-1 mb-1">#design</span><span class="badge rounded-pill text-bg-light border float-start me-1 mb-1">#guide</span>
</div>An icon floated left, a time stamp floated right and the message in between.
We measure success by how many shoppers come back and tell their friends.
<div class="hp-cf clearfix bg-body">
<span class="hp-fl float-start me-2 px-2 py-1 text-primary"><i class="bi bi-bell" aria-hidden="true"></i></span> <small class="float-end text-body-secondary">12 hours ago</small>
<p class="small mb-0">We measure success by how many shoppers come back and tell their friends.</p>
</div>A floated badge in the top corner of a pricing card body.
$76.47
per month
<div class="card" style="max-width:20rem">
<div class="card-body">
<div class="hp-cf clearfix mb-2">
<h3 class="h5 float-start mb-0">Pro plan</h3>
<span class="badge text-bg-warning float-end">Popular</span>
</div>
<p class="display-6 mb-0">$76.47</p>
<p class="small text-body-secondary mb-0">per month</p>
</div>
</div>A breadcrumb floated left and a button floated right above a page.
<div class="hp-cf clearfix">
<nav class="float-start" aria-label="breadcrumb">
<ol class="breadcrumb mb-0 py-1">
<li class="breadcrumb-item"><a href="#">Home</a></li>
<li class="breadcrumb-item active" aria-current="page">Home</li>
</ol>
</nav>
<button type="button" class="btn btn-sm btn-primary float-end"><i class="bi bi-plus-lg" aria-hidden="true"></i> New</button>
</div>Two floated tiles each half the width of the parent (w-50).
<div class="hp-cf clearfix">
<div class="w-50 float-start pe-1">
<div class="hp-fl p-3">
<div class="small text-body-secondary">
Visitors
</div>
<div class="fs-4 fw-semibold">
29.0k
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="w-50 float-start ps-1">
<div class="hp-fl p-3">
<div class="small text-body-secondary">
Orders
</div>
<div class="fs-4 fw-semibold">
470
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>A product image floated to the end of a card body with the description flowing around it.
Pay securely with card, wallet or in three interest-free instalments.
<div class="card">
<div class="card-body hp-cf clearfix">
<img src="../assets/img/product-3.svg" alt="Ceramic mug" width="110" height="110" class="hp-fl float-end ms-3 rounded">
<h3 class="h6">Ceramic mug</h3>
<p class="small mb-0">Pay securely with card, wallet or in three interest-free instalments.</p>
</div>
</div>A classic two-column float layout: a floated nav box and a content box; clearfix closes the row.
Every detail is handled by people who care about getting it right. Thousands of shoppers already trust us, and we work hard to keep it that way. Start in minutes and get help from a real person whenever you need it. Gift wrapping and a handwritten note are free on every order.
<div class="hp-cf clearfix">
<nav class="hp-fl float-sm-start me-sm-3 mb-2 p-2" aria-label="Section">
<ul class="nav flex-column small">
<li class="nav-item"><a class="nav-link active py-1" aria-current="page" href="#">Overview</a></li>
<li class="nav-item"><a class="nav-link py-1" href="#">Members</a></li>
<li class="nav-item"><a class="nav-link py-1" href="#">Billing</a></li>
</ul>
</nav>
<div class="overflow-hidden">
<h3 class="h6">Styling one piece three different ways</h3>
<p class="small mb-0">Every detail is handled by people who care about getting it right. Thousands of shoppers already trust us, and we work hard to keep it that way. Start in minutes and get help from a real person whenever you need it. Gift wrapping and a handwritten note are free on every order.</p>
</div>
</div>