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

Earn a certificate at the end of each course and share it with employers. Lifetime access means you can revisit lessons whenever you need a refresher. The mobile app downloads lessons, so you can learn on the train. Try the first lesson of any course for free before you decide.

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">
      Earn a certificate at the end of each course and share it with employers. Lifetime access means you can revisit lessons whenever you need a refresher. The mobile app downloads lessons, so you can learn on the train. Try the first lesson of any course for free before you decide.
    </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">
      Earn a certificate at the end of each course and share it with employers. Lifetime access means you can revisit lessons whenever you need a refresher. The mobile app downloads lessons, so you can learn on the train. Try the first lesson of any course for free before you decide.
    </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">
      Earn a certificate at the end of each course and share it with employers. Lifetime access means you can revisit lessons whenever you need a refresher. The mobile app downloads lessons, so you can learn on the train. Try the first lesson of any course for free before you decide.
    </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">
      Earn a certificate at the end of each course and share it with employers. Lifetime access means you can revisit lessons whenever you need a refresher. The mobile app downloads lessons, so you can learn on the train. Try the first lesson of any course for free before you decide.
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

2Horizontal scroll only

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

Study groups

Career coaching

Online courses

Live workshops

Mentoring

<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">
      Study groups
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="fw-semibold small">
      Career coaching
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="fw-semibold small">
      Online courses
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="fw-semibold small">
      Live workshops
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="fw-semibold small">
      Mentoring
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

3Vertical scroll only

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

Priya Haddad
Jonah Whitaker
Theo Ashford
Felix Harlow
Amara Brennan
Lea Novak

<ul class="list-unstyled border rounded-3 overflow-y-auto mb-0" style="max-height:150px">
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Priya Haddad</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Jonah Whitaker</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Theo Ashford</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Felix Harlow</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Amara Brennan</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2">Lea Novak</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-1758270705290-62b6294dd044?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-1516321497487-e288fb19713f?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
#PO-4301	Isla Varga	Porto	Mar 13, 2026	Shipped	$593.16
#PO-4213	Samir Tanaka	Porto	Aug 8, 2026	Overdue	$789.36

<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>#PO-4301</td>
        <td>Isla Varga</td>
        <td>Porto</td>
        <td>Mar 13, 2026</td>
        <td>Shipped</td>
        <td>$593.16</td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>#PO-4213</td>
        <td>Samir Tanaka</td>
        <td>Porto</td>
        <td>Aug 8, 2026</td>
        <td>Overdue</td>
        <td>$789.36</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/musean --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/musean --base ./ --sourcemap false --emptyOutDir</code></pre>

7Chat window

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

Instructors are working professionals who teach what they use every day.

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

Lifetime access means you can revisit lessons whenever you need a refresher.

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">
      Instructors are working professionals who teach what they use every day.
    </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 class="align-self-start bg-body-tertiary rounded-3 px-2 py-1 small">
      Lifetime access means you can revisit lessons whenever you need a refresher.
    </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">Development</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">Lifestyle</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-pill text-nowrap">tips</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-pill text-nowrap">journey</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

Start in minutes and get help from a real person whenever you need it. Career coaches help with your CV, portfolio and interview practice. Thousands of students already trust us, and we work hard to keep it that way.

Study groups and a friendly forum keep you motivated along the way. Short quizzes after each lesson help new knowledge stick. Guided learning paths take you from beginner to job-ready step by step. We keep things simple, so you can focus on what matters to you.

Learn on your schedule, with lessons that fit into a lunch break. Earn a certificate at the end of each course and share it with employers. We measure success by how many students come back and tell their friends. Every course is built around hands-on projects you can add to your portfolio.

<div class="border rounded-3 p-3 overflow-auto small bg-body-tertiary" style="height:130px">
  <h3 class="h6">Terms of use</h3>
  <p>Start in minutes and get help from a real person whenever you need it. Career coaches help with your CV, portfolio and interview practice. Thousands of students already trust us, and we work hard to keep it that way.</p>
  <p>Study groups and a friendly forum keep you motivated along the way. Short quizzes after each lesson help new knowledge stick. Guided learning paths take you from beginner to job-ready step by step. We keep things simple, so you can focus on what matters to you.</p>
  <p class="mb-0">Learn on your schedule, with lessons that fit into a lunch break. Earn a certificate at the end of each course and share it with employers. We measure success by how many students come back and tell their friends. Every course is built around hands-on projects you can add to your portfolio.</p>
</div>

10Visible overflow for a badge

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

overflow-hidden6

overflow-visible1

<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">6</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">1</span>
  </div>
</div>

11Hidden overflow for a cropped title

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

Learn new skills at your own pace - Mentors review your projects and give feedback within two days.

May 9, 2026

<div class="border rounded-3 p-3" style="max-width:20rem">
  <div class="overflow-hidden fw-semibold lh-sm" style="height:2.5em">
    Learn new skills at your own pace - Mentors review your projects and give feedback within two days.
  </div>
  <div class="small text-body-secondary mt-1">
    May 9, 2026
  </div>
</div>

12Sidebar that scrolls separately

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

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.

<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">
    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.
  </div>
</div>

13Image pan area

A large image in an overflow-auto box can be scrolled in both directions.

Tips for learning while working full time

<div class="overflow-auto border rounded-3" style="height:160px;max-width:26rem">
  <img src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1523240795612-9a054b0db644?auto=format&fit=crop&w=1600&h=700&q=70" alt="Tips for learning while working full time" 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

Mentoring

Online courses

Career coaching

Doing

Study groups

Done

Online courses

<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">
      Mentoring
    </div>
    <div class="bg-body border rounded-2 p-2 small mb-2">
      Online courses
    </div>
    <div class="bg-body border rounded-2 p-2 small">
      Career coaching
    </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">
      Study groups
    </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">
      Online courses
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

15Overflow-x hidden

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

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

Panel partly off the edge

<div class="position-relative overflow-x-hidden border rounded-3 p-3" style="height:110px">
  <div class="small">
    Clear prices, honest advice and no surprises along the way.
  </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.

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

<div class="overflow-y-scroll border rounded-3 p-2 small" style="height:90px">
  Start in minutes and get help from a real person whenever you need it.
</div>

17Notification panel

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

Notifications

Mentors review your projects and give feedback within two days.

Career coaches help with your CV, portfolio and interview practice.

Study groups and a friendly forum keep you motivated along the way.

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

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">
      Mentors review your projects and give feedback within two days.
    </div>
    <div class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom small">
      Career coaches help with your CV, portfolio and interview practice.
    </div>
    <div class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom small">
      Study groups and a friendly forum keep you motivated along the way.
    </div>
    <div class="px-3 py-2 small">
      Our team has done this many times, so you never have to guess.
    </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.

Learn by doing, not just watching

The mobile app downloads lessons, so you can learn on the train.

<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">Learn by doing, not just watching</h3>
  <p class="small mb-0 position-relative">The mobile app downloads lessons, so you can learn on the train.</p>
</div>

19Long word handling

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

downloads/musean/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/musean/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/musean/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	9	213 GB	Email and chat	Unlimited	$90.14

<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>9</td>
        <td>213 GB</td>
        <td>Email and chat</td>
        <td>Unlimited</td>
        <td>$90.14</td>
      </tr>
    </tbody>
  </table>
</div>