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.
Frontend Engineer, Prague
This paragraph starts below the avatar, not beside it.
<div class="hp-cf clearfix">
<img src="../assets/img/avatar-11.svg" alt="Tariq Duarte" width="72" height="72" class="hp-fl rounded-circle float-start me-3 mb-2">
<h3 class="h6 mb-1">Tariq Duarte</h3>
<p class="small text-body-secondary mb-0">Frontend Engineer, Prague</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">Brand identity</span> <span class="badge text-bg-success float-end mt-1">Completed</span>
</div>
<div class="card-body small">
Every project starts with a workshop, so we understand your audience before we design.
</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">Design retainer</span><span class="hp-fl float-end px-2 fw-semibold">$3,450</span></li>
<li class="list-group-item hp-cf clearfix"><span class="hp-fl float-start px-2">Social kit</span><span class="hp-fl float-end px-2 fw-semibold">$2,000</span></li>
<li class="list-group-item hp-cf clearfix"><span class="hp-fl float-start px-2">UX audit</span><span class="hp-fl float-end px-2 fw-semibold">$2,550</span></li>
<li class="list-group-item hp-cf clearfix"><span class="hp-fl float-start px-2">Landing page</span><span class="hp-fl float-end px-2 fw-semibold">$3,000</span></li>
</ul>A quote floated to the end of the paragraph; the article wrapper is cleared so the next section starts below.
"Stories told in pixels and motion"
Websites we build are fast, accessible and easy for your team to update. We keep things simple, so you can focus on what matters to you. We combine strategy, design and technology to build brands that grow. We measure success in sign-ups, sales and brand recall, not just awards.
Clients stay with us for years because we treat their brand like our own.
<article class="hp-cf clearfix">
<blockquote class="hp-fl float-sm-end ms-sm-3 mb-2 p-3 fs-6 fst-italic">"Stories told in pixels and motion"</blockquote>
<p class="mb-2">Websites we build are fast, accessible and easy for your team to update. We keep things simple, so you can focus on what matters to you. We combine strategy, design and technology to build brands that grow. We measure success in sign-ups, sales and brand recall, not just awards.</p>
<p class="mb-0">Clients stay with us for years because we treat their brand like our own.</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.
yesterday
Mia Brennan
Fixed prices and weekly demos keep you in control from start to finish.
<div class="hp-cf clearfix">
<img src="../assets/img/avatar-8.svg" alt="Mia Brennan" width="40" height="40" class="rounded-circle float-start me-2"> <small class="hp-fl float-end px-2 text-body-secondary">yesterday</small> <strong class="d-block">Mia Brennan</strong>
<p class="small mb-0">Fixed prices and weekly demos keep you in control from start to finish.</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: 07:45
</div>
<div class="hp-fl float-md-end p-3">
<i class="bi bi-geo-alt" aria-hidden="true"></i> Vancouver
</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 Nimbusan</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 | $749.00 |
|---|---|
| Tax | $52.43 |
| Total | $801.43 |
Thank you for your order #TX-3511.
<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">$749.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th scope="row">Tax</th>
<td class="text-end">$52.43</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th scope="row">Total</th>
<td class="text-end fw-bold">$801.43</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<p class="small text-body-secondary mt-2 mb-0">Thank you for your order #TX-3511.</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-1753162658407-93888aaabfae?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-1742440710453-d5db3a357362?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-1753162657329-beced5a7f63f?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-1753162658449-e0f19e1a4cfc?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-1742440710226-450e3b85c100?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-1752650736677-94fe8cdb9d5c?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="Maya Ortega">
</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">#guide</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">#tips</span><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">#news</span><span class="badge rounded-pill text-bg-light border float-start me-1 mb-1">#update</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">53 min ago</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.
$66.19
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">$66.19</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">Social</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">
37.7k
</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">
3.7k
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>A product image floated to the end of a card body with the description flowing around it.
Small teams, short feedback loops and no handoffs lost in translation.
<div class="card">
<div class="card-body hp-cf clearfix">
<img src="../assets/img/product-3.svg" alt="Social kit" width="110" height="110" class="hp-fl float-end ms-3 rounded">
<h3 class="h6">Social kit</h3>
<p class="small mb-0">Small teams, short feedback loops and no handoffs lost in translation.</p>
</div>
</div>A classic two-column float layout: a floated nav box and a content box; clearfix closes the row.
Thousands of clients already trust us, and we work hard to keep it that way. Our team has done this many times, so you never have to guess. We measure success by how many clients come back and tell their friends. We test early with real users, so the final design works on the first day.
<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">A checklist for your next website launch</h3>
<p class="small mb-0">Thousands of clients already trust us, and we work hard to keep it that way. Our team has done this many times, so you never have to guess. We measure success by how many clients come back and tell their friends. We test early with real users, so the final design works on the first day.</p>
</div>
</div>