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.
Operations Manager, Oslo
This paragraph starts below the avatar, not beside it.
<div class="hp-cf clearfix">
<img src="../assets/img/avatar-9.svg" alt="Jonah Hughes" width="72" height="72" class="hp-fl rounded-circle float-start me-3 mb-2">
<h3 class="h6 mb-1">Jonah Hughes</h3>
<p class="small text-body-secondary mb-0">Operations Manager, Oslo</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">Mentoring</span> <span class="badge text-bg-success float-end mt-1">On hold</span>
</div>
<div class="card-body small">
Our team has done this many times, so you never have to guess.
</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">Video editing</span><span class="hp-fl float-end px-2 fw-semibold">$114.00</span></li>
<li class="list-group-item hp-cf clearfix"><span class="hp-fl float-start px-2">Python basics</span><span class="hp-fl float-end px-2 fw-semibold">$119.00</span></li>
<li class="list-group-item hp-cf clearfix"><span class="hp-fl float-start px-2">Copywriting</span><span class="hp-fl float-end px-2 fw-semibold">$96.00</span></li>
<li class="list-group-item hp-cf clearfix"><span class="hp-fl float-start px-2">Photography</span><span class="hp-fl float-end px-2 fw-semibold">$97.00</span></li>
</ul>A quote floated to the end of the paragraph; the article wrapper is cleared so the next section starts below.
"Learn by doing, not just watching"
Study groups and a friendly forum keep you motivated along the way. Instructors are working professionals who teach what they use every day. Earn a certificate at the end of each course and share it with employers.
Short quizzes after each lesson help new knowledge stick.
<article class="hp-cf clearfix">
<blockquote class="hp-fl float-sm-end ms-sm-3 mb-2 p-3 fs-6 fst-italic">"Learn by doing, not just watching"</blockquote>
<p class="mb-2">Study groups and a friendly forum keep you motivated along the way. Instructors are working professionals who teach what they use every day. Earn a certificate at the end of each course and share it with employers.</p>
<p class="mb-0">Short quizzes after each lesson help new knowledge stick.</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.
5 days ago
Nadia Harlow
We measure success by how many students come back and tell their friends.
<div class="hp-cf clearfix">
<img src="../assets/img/avatar-10.svg" alt="Nadia Harlow" width="40" height="40" class="rounded-circle float-start me-2"> <small class="hp-fl float-end px-2 text-body-secondary">5 days ago</small> <strong class="d-block">Nadia Harlow</strong>
<p class="small mb-0">We measure success by how many students come back and tell their friends.</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: 09:30
</div>
<div class="hp-fl float-md-end p-3">
<i class="bi bi-geo-alt" aria-hidden="true"></i> Singapore
</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 Nimbus Labs</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 | $891.00 |
|---|---|
| Tax | $62.37 |
| Total | $953.37 |
Thank you for your order #TX-3803.
<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">$891.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th scope="row">Tax</th>
<td class="text-end">$62.37</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th scope="row">Total</th>
<td class="text-end fw-bold">$953.37</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<p class="small text-body-secondary mt-2 mb-0">Thank you for your order #TX-3803.</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-1525130413817-d45c1d127c42?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-1620829813573-7c9e1877706f?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-1752650736024-d6aac18abc2d?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-1531538606174-0f90ff5dce83?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-1758270705290-62b6294dd044?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-1516321497487-e288fb19713f?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="Ivy Tanaka">
</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">#news</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">#design</span><span class="badge rounded-pill text-bg-light border float-start me-1 mb-1">#tips</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>
</div>An icon floated left, a time stamp floated right and the message in between.
Start in minutes and get help from a real person whenever you need it.
<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">just now</small>
<p class="small mb-0">Start in minutes and get help from a real person whenever you need it.</p>
</div>A floated badge in the top corner of a pricing card body.
$62.25
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">$62.25</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">Development</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">
15.0k
</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">
2.0k
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>A product image floated to the end of a card body with the description flowing around it.
We listen first, then build a plan around what you actually need.
<div class="card">
<div class="card-body hp-cf clearfix">
<img src="../assets/img/product-3.svg" alt="Web development" width="110" height="110" class="hp-fl float-end ms-3 rounded">
<h3 class="h6">Web development</h3>
<p class="small mb-0">We listen first, then build a plan around what you actually need.</p>
</div>
</div>A classic two-column float layout: a floated nav box and a content box; clearfix closes the row.
The mobile app downloads lessons, so you can learn on the train. Thousands of students already trust us, and we work hard to keep it that way. Clear prices, honest advice and no surprises along the way. Try the first lesson of any course for free before you decide.
<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">Looking back at a busy season</h3>
<p class="small mb-0">The mobile app downloads lessons, so you can learn on the train. Thousands of students already trust us, and we work hard to keep it that way. Clear prices, honest advice and no surprises along the way. Try the first lesson of any course for free before you decide.</p>
</div>
</div>