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

Every detail is handled by people who care about getting it right. We find the best price, and if you see it cheaper we match it. We measure success by how many travellers come back and tell their friends. Members get room upgrades and late check-out at selected hotels.

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-lg p-2 bg-surface-3" style="height:100px">
      Every detail is handled by people who care about getting it right. We find the best price, and if you see it cheaper we match it. We measure success by how many travellers come back and tell their friends. Members get room upgrades and late check-out at selected hotels.
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="col-6 col-md-3">
    <code>overflow-hidden</code>
    <div class="overflow-hidden border rounded-lg p-2 bg-surface-3" style="height:100px">
      Every detail is handled by people who care about getting it right. We find the best price, and if you see it cheaper we match it. We measure success by how many travellers come back and tell their friends. Members get room upgrades and late check-out at selected hotels.
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="col-6 col-md-3">
    <code>overflow-visible</code>
    <div class="overflow-visible border rounded-lg p-2 bg-surface-3 mb-12" style="height:100px">
      Every detail is handled by people who care about getting it right. We find the best price, and if you see it cheaper we match it. We measure success by how many travellers come back and tell their friends. Members get room upgrades and late check-out at selected hotels.
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="col-6 col-md-3">
    <code>overflow-scroll</code>
    <div class="overflow-scroll border rounded-lg p-2 bg-surface-3" style="height:100px">
      Every detail is handled by people who care about getting it right. We find the best price, and if you see it cheaper we match it. We measure success by how many travellers come back and tell their friends. Members get room upgrades and late check-out at selected hotels.
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

2Horizontal scroll only

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

Travel insurance

Airport transfers

Guided tours

<div class="flex flex-nowrap gap-2 overflow-x-auto pb-2">
  <div class="border rounded-lg p-4 shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="font-semibold small">
      Travel insurance
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-lg p-4 shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="font-semibold small">
      Travel insurance
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-lg p-4 shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="font-semibold small">
      Airport transfers
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-lg p-4 shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="font-semibold small">
      Airport transfers
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-lg p-4 shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="font-semibold small">
      Guided tours
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

3Vertical scroll only

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

Kenji Hughes
Nadia Moreau
Kai Varga
Finn Duarte
Isla Quinn
Priya Delgado

<ul class="list-unstyled border rounded-lg overflow-y-auto mb-0" style="max-height:150px">
  <li class="px-4 py-2 border-b">Kenji Hughes</li>
  <li class="px-4 py-2 border-b">Nadia Moreau</li>
  <li class="px-4 py-2 border-b">Kai Varga</li>
  <li class="px-4 py-2 border-b">Finn Duarte</li>
  <li class="px-4 py-2 border-b">Isla Quinn</li>
  <li class="px-4 py-2">Priya Delgado</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-xl">
      <img src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1614088459293-5669fadc3448?auto=format&fit=crop&w=1200&h=800&q=70" alt="Not clipped" class="w-full block">
      <div class="p-2 small">
        without
      </div>
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="col-6">
    <div class="border rounded-xl overflow-hidden">
      <img src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1783443076547-fb9cb67224a0?auto=format&fit=crop&w=1200&h=800&q=70" alt="Clipped" class="w-full 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
#TX-3982	Amara Patel	Auckland	Sep 25, 2026	Cancelled	$551.30
#PO-7744	Chloe Sato	Montreal	Oct 15, 2026	Approved	$819.50

<div class="overflow-x-auto border rounded-lg">
  <table class="table table-sm mb-0 whitespace-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>#TX-3982</td>
        <td>Amara Patel</td>
        <td>Auckland</td>
        <td>Sep 25, 2026</td>
        <td>Cancelled</td>
        <td>$551.30</td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>#PO-7744</td>
        <td>Chloe Sato</td>
        <td>Montreal</td>
        <td>Oct 15, 2026</td>
        <td>Approved</td>
        <td>$819.50</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/orbiora --base ./ --sourcemap false --emptyOutDir

<pre class="overflow-x-auto bg-surface-3 border rounded-lg p-4 small mb-0"><code>npm run build -- --mode production --out-dir dist/orbiora --base ./ --sourcemap false --emptyOutDir</code></pre>

7Chat window

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

Free cancellation on most stays means you can book now and decide later.

Family rooms, adults-only retreats and pet-friendly stays in one search.

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

Our travel experts are on call around the clock while you are away.

<div class="border rounded-xl flex flex-col" style="height:220px;max-width:22rem">
  <div class="overflow-y-auto p-4 flex flex-col gap-2 grow">
    <div class="self-start bg-surface-3 rounded-lg px-2 py-1 small">
      Free cancellation on most stays means you can book now and decide later.
    </div>
    <div class="self-end text-bg-primary rounded-lg px-2 py-1 small">
      Family rooms, adults-only retreats and pet-friendly stays in one search.
    </div>
    <div class="self-start bg-surface-3 rounded-lg px-2 py-1 small">
      Clear prices, honest advice and no surprises along the way.
    </div>
    <div class="self-end text-bg-primary rounded-lg px-2 py-1 small">
      Our travel experts are on call around the clock while you are away.
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border-t p-2">
    <label class="sr-only" 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="flex flex-nowrap gap-2 overflow-x-auto pb-1" aria-label="Categories">
  <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-primary rounded-full whitespace-nowrap">All</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-full whitespace-nowrap">Adventure</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-full whitespace-nowrap">how-to</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-full whitespace-nowrap">Beach</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-full whitespace-nowrap">tutorial</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-full whitespace-nowrap">journey</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-full whitespace-nowrap">elegant</a> 
</nav>

9Terms box

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

Terms of use

We keep things simple, so you can focus on what matters to you. Our team has done this many times, so you never have to guess. Travel insurance and car rental can be added in a single click.

We listen first, then build a plan around what you actually need. Flexible dates help you find quieter weeks and better prices. Friendly people answer your questions quickly, by phone, chat or email.

Every trip supports local businesses and responsible tourism. Airport transfers, tours and dinners are arranged before you arrive. Travel insurance and car rental can be added in a single click.

<div class="border rounded-lg p-4 overflow-auto small bg-surface-3" style="height:130px">
  <h3 class="h6">Terms of use</h3>
  <p>We keep things simple, so you can focus on what matters to you. Our team has done this many times, so you never have to guess. Travel insurance and car rental can be added in a single click.</p>
  <p>We listen first, then build a plan around what you actually need. Flexible dates help you find quieter weeks and better prices. Friendly people answer your questions quickly, by phone, chat or email.</p>
  <p class="mb-0">Every trip supports local businesses and responsible tourism. Airport transfers, tours and dinners are arranged before you arrive. Travel insurance and car rental can be added in a single click.</p>
</div>

10Visible overflow for a badge

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

overflow-hidden2

overflow-visible5

<div class="flex gap-6 pt-2">
  <div class="relative overflow-hidden border rounded-lg p-4 small">
    overflow-hidden<span class="absolute top-0 start-full -translate-x-1/2 -translate-y-1/2 badge rounded-full text-bg-danger">2</span>
  </div>
  <div class="relative overflow-visible border rounded-lg p-4 small">
    overflow-visible<span class="absolute top-0 start-full -translate-x-1/2 -translate-y-1/2 badge rounded-full text-bg-danger">5</span>
  </div>
</div>

11Hidden overflow for a cropped title

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

Hand-picked stays in beautiful places - Flexible dates help you find quieter weeks and better prices.

Jun 27, 2026

<div class="border rounded-lg p-4" style="max-width:20rem">
  <div class="overflow-hidden font-semibold leading-tight" style="height:2.5em">
    Hand-picked stays in beautiful places - Flexible dates help you find quieter weeks and better prices.
  </div>
  <div class="small text-muted mt-1">
    Jun 27, 2026
  </div>
</div>

12Sidebar that scrolls separately

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

Family rooms, adults-only retreats and pet-friendly stays in one search. From city breaks to safaris, we plan trips around how you like to travel.

<div class="flex border rounded-lg" style="height:180px">
  <nav class="overflow-y-auto border-e p-2 small shrink-0" style="width:130px" aria-label="Chapters">
    <a href="#" class="block py-1">Intro</a><a href="#" class="block py-1">Setup</a><a href="#" class="block py-1">Layout</a> <a href="#" class="block py-1">Colours</a><a href="#" class="block py-1">Forms</a><a href="#" class="block py-1">Tables</a> <a href="#" class="block py-1">Charts</a><a href="#" class="block py-1">Deploy</a> 
  </nav>
  <div class="p-4 small">
    Family rooms, adults-only retreats and pet-friendly stays in one search. From city breaks to safaris, we plan trips around how you like to travel.
  </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-lg" style="height:160px;max-width:26rem">
  <img src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1614088459293-5669fadc3448?auto=format&fit=crop&w=1600&h=700&q=70" alt="Our favourite tips for busy weeks" width="900" height="394" class="block"> 
</div>

14Kanban columns

Columns side by side in overflow-x-auto, each column scrolls with overflow-y-auto.

To do

Airport transfers

Holiday packages

Car rental

Doing

Airport transfers

Done

Guided tours

<div class="flex gap-2 overflow-x-auto pb-1">
  <div class="bg-surface-3 rounded-lg p-2 shrink-0 overflow-y-auto" style="width:170px;max-height:180px">
    <div class="small font-semibold mb-2">
      To do
    </div>
    <div class="bg-page border rounded-md p-2 small mb-2">
      Airport transfers
    </div>
    <div class="bg-page border rounded-md p-2 small mb-2">
      Holiday packages
    </div>
    <div class="bg-page border rounded-md p-2 small">
      Car rental
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="bg-surface-3 rounded-lg p-2 shrink-0 overflow-y-auto" style="width:170px;max-height:180px">
    <div class="small font-semibold mb-2">
      Doing
    </div>
    <div class="bg-page border rounded-md p-2 small">
      Airport transfers
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="bg-surface-3 rounded-lg p-2 shrink-0 overflow-y-auto" style="width:170px;max-height:180px">
    <div class="small font-semibold mb-2">
      Done
    </div>
    <div class="bg-page border rounded-md p-2 small">
      Guided tours
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

15Overflow-x hidden

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

Free cancellation on most stays means you can book now and decide later.

Panel partly off the edge

<div class="relative overflow-x-hidden border rounded-lg p-4" style="height:110px">
  <div class="small">
    Free cancellation on most stays means you can book now and decide later.
  </div>
  <div class="absolute top-0 bg-primary-subtle h-full 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.

We keep things simple, so you can focus on what matters to you.

<div class="overflow-y-scroll border rounded-lg p-2 small" style="height:90px">
  We keep things simple, so you can focus on what matters to you.
</div>

17Notification panel

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

Notifications

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

Every hotel on our list is visited and reviewed by our own travel team.

Local guides show you the places that never make it into guidebooks.

Airport transfers, tours and dinners are arranged before you arrive.

View all

<div class="border rounded-lg shadow-sm flex flex-col" style="max-width:20rem;height:220px">
  <div class="px-4 py-2 border-b font-semibold small">
    Notifications
  </div>
  <div class="overflow-y-auto grow">
    <div class="px-4 py-2 border-b small">
      Start in minutes and get help from a real person whenever you need it.
    </div>
    <div class="px-4 py-2 border-b small">
      Every hotel on our list is visited and reviewed by our own travel team.
    </div>
    <div class="px-4 py-2 border-b small">
      Local guides show you the places that never make it into guidebooks.
    </div>
    <div class="px-4 py-2 small">
      Airport transfers, tours and dinners are arranged before you arrive.
    </div>
  </div>
  <a href="#" class="px-4 py-2 border-t small text-center">View all</a> 
</div>

18Clip a decorative shape

A big circle partly outside its panel is cut off by overflow-hidden.

Find your next escape

Our travel experts are on call around the clock while you are away.

<div class="relative overflow-hidden text-bg-primary rounded-xl p-6">
  <div class="absolute bg-white/25 rounded-full" style="width:180px;height:180px;right:-60px;top:-60px">
  </div>
  <h3 class="h5 relative">Find your next escape</h3>
  <p class="small mb-0 relative">Our travel experts are on call around the clock while you are away.</p>
</div>

19Long word handling

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

downloads/orbiora/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-lg p-2 truncate">
      downloads/orbiora/assets/very-long-file-name-without-any-spaces-at-all.zip
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="col-sm-6">
    <div class="border rounded-lg p-2 break-words">
      downloads/orbiora/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	19	331 GB	Email and chat	Unlimited	$41.60

<div class="table-responsive border rounded-lg">
  <table class="table table-sm mb-0 whitespace-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>19</td>
        <td>331 GB</td>
        <td>Email and chat</td>
        <td>Unlimited</td>
        <td>$41.60</td>
      </tr>
    </tbody>
  </table>
</div>