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

Virtual passes let you join the main stage live from anywhere. Workshops are limited to thirty seats, so everyone gets hands-on time. The venue is a short walk from the station and fully accessible. Sponsors meet decision-makers in a relaxed, friendly setting.

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">
      Virtual passes let you join the main stage live from anywhere. Workshops are limited to thirty seats, so everyone gets hands-on time. The venue is a short walk from the station and fully accessible. Sponsors meet decision-makers in a relaxed, friendly setting.
    </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">
      Virtual passes let you join the main stage live from anywhere. Workshops are limited to thirty seats, so everyone gets hands-on time. The venue is a short walk from the station and fully accessible. Sponsors meet decision-makers in a relaxed, friendly setting.
    </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">
      Virtual passes let you join the main stage live from anywhere. Workshops are limited to thirty seats, so everyone gets hands-on time. The venue is a short walk from the station and fully accessible. Sponsors meet decision-makers in a relaxed, friendly setting.
    </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">
      Virtual passes let you join the main stage live from anywhere. Workshops are limited to thirty seats, so everyone gets hands-on time. The venue is a short walk from the station and fully accessible. Sponsors meet decision-makers in a relaxed, friendly setting.
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

2Horizontal scroll only

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

Sponsorship

Speaker management

Venue booking

Sponsorship

Ticketing

<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">
      Sponsorship
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="fw-semibold small">
      Speaker management
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="fw-semibold small">
      Venue booking
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="fw-semibold small">
      Sponsorship
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="fw-semibold small">
      Ticketing
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

3Vertical scroll only

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

Freya Harlow
Sofia Morgan
Finn Varga
Leo Kim
Amara Okafor
Zoe Kowalski

<ul class="list-unstyled border rounded-3 overflow-y-auto mb-0" style="max-height:150px">
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Freya Harlow</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Sofia Morgan</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Finn Varga</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Leo Kim</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Amara Okafor</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2">Zoe Kowalski</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-1773828755374-0ee802d9f44b?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-1773829020694-413e879d2957?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-2985	Arjun Whitaker	Valencia	Mar 22, 2026	Completed	$508.04
#PO-7443	Lucas Alvarez	Porto	Jun 27, 2026	Completed	$382.22

<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-2985</td>
        <td>Arjun Whitaker</td>
        <td>Valencia</td>
        <td>Mar 22, 2026</td>
        <td>Completed</td>
        <td>$508.04</td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>#PO-7443</td>
        <td>Lucas Alvarez</td>
        <td>Porto</td>
        <td>Jun 27, 2026</td>
        <td>Completed</td>
        <td>$382.22</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/opal --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/opal --base ./ --sourcemap false --emptyOutDir</code></pre>

7Chat window

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

More than eighty speakers share what they have learned the hard way.

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

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

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">
      More than eighty speakers share what they have learned the hard way.
    </div>
    <div class="align-self-end text-bg-primary rounded-3 px-2 py-1 small">
      We listen first, then build a plan around what you actually need.
    </div>
    <div class="align-self-start bg-body-tertiary rounded-3 px-2 py-1 small">
      Our team has done this many times, so you never have to guess.
    </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">Keynote</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-pill text-nowrap">how-to</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-pill text-nowrap">Keynote</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-pill text-nowrap">product</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-pill text-nowrap">project</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-pill text-nowrap">simple</a> 
</nav>

9Terms box

A long text inside a bordered box with overflow-auto, like a licence agreement.

Terms of use

Thousands of attendees already trust us, and we work hard to keep it that way. Every attendee receives a certificate of participation. We measure success by how many attendees come back and tell their friends. Early bird tickets save you up to forty percent until the end of the month.

Every session is recorded, so you can catch up on anything you missed. Our evening party is the best place to turn talks into friendships. Sponsors meet decision-makers in a relaxed, friendly setting.

Friendly people answer your questions quickly, by phone, chat or email. Thousands of attendees already trust us, and we work hard to keep it that way. Group tickets include a private meeting room for your team.

<div class="border rounded-3 p-3 overflow-auto small bg-body-tertiary" style="height:130px">
  <h3 class="h6">Terms of use</h3>
  <p>Thousands of attendees already trust us, and we work hard to keep it that way. Every attendee receives a certificate of participation. We measure success by how many attendees come back and tell their friends. Early bird tickets save you up to forty percent until the end of the month.</p>
  <p>Every session is recorded, so you can catch up on anything you missed. Our evening party is the best place to turn talks into friendships. Sponsors meet decision-makers in a relaxed, friendly setting.</p>
  <p class="mb-0">Friendly people answer your questions quickly, by phone, chat or email. Thousands of attendees already trust us, and we work hard to keep it that way. Group tickets include a private meeting room for your team.</p>
</div>

10Visible overflow for a badge

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

overflow-hidden1

overflow-visible7

<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">1</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">7</span>
  </div>
</div>

11Hidden overflow for a cropped title

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

The event your calendar has been waiting for - Early bird tickets save you up to forty percent until the end of the month.

Sep 12, 2025

<div class="border rounded-3 p-3" style="max-width:20rem">
  <div class="overflow-hidden fw-semibold lh-sm" style="height:2.5em">
    The event your calendar has been waiting for - Early bird tickets save you up to forty percent until the end of the month.
  </div>
  <div class="small text-body-secondary mt-1">
    Sep 12, 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. Every detail is handled by people who care about getting it right.

<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. Every detail is handled by people who care about getting it right.
  </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-1560439514-0fc9d2cd5e1b?auto=format&fit=crop&w=1600&h=700&q=70" alt="What our attendees asked us most" 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

Venue booking

Ticketing

Sponsorship

Doing

Ticketing

Done

Networking app

<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">
      Venue booking
    </div>
    <div class="bg-body border rounded-2 p-2 small mb-2">
      Ticketing
    </div>
    <div class="bg-body border rounded-2 p-2 small">
      Sponsorship
    </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">
      Ticketing
    </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">
      Networking app
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

15Overflow-x hidden

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

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

Panel partly off the edge

<div class="position-relative overflow-x-hidden border rounded-3 p-3" style="height:110px">
  <div class="small">
    We listen first, then build a plan around what you actually need.
  </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.

The venue is a short walk from the station and fully accessible.

<div class="overflow-y-scroll border rounded-3 p-2 small" style="height:90px">
  The venue is a short walk from the station and fully accessible.
</div>

17Notification panel

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

Notifications

Virtual passes let you join the main stage live from anywhere.

We measure success by how many attendees come back and tell their friends.

Three days of keynotes, hands-on workshops and evening meetups.

Every attendee receives a certificate of participation.

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">
      Virtual passes let you join the main stage live from anywhere.
    </div>
    <div class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom small">
      We measure success by how many attendees come back and tell their friends.
    </div>
    <div class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom small">
      Three days of keynotes, hands-on workshops and evening meetups.
    </div>
    <div class="px-3 py-2 small">
      Every attendee receives a certificate of participation.
    </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.

Experiences people talk about

More than eighty speakers share what they have learned the hard way.

<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">Experiences people talk about</h3>
  <p class="small mb-0 position-relative">More than eighty speakers share what they have learned the hard way.</p>
</div>

19Long word handling

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

downloads/opal/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/opal/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/opal/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	274 GB	Email and chat	Unlimited	$83.41

<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>274 GB</td>
        <td>Email and chat</td>
        <td>Unlimited</td>
        <td>$83.41</td>
      </tr>
    </tbody>
  </table>
</div>