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

We listen first, then build a plan around what you actually need. Start in minutes and get help from a real person whenever you need it. Monthly gifts let us plan ahead and respond quickly when disaster strikes. You receive photos and updates showing exactly what your donation achieved.

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">
      We listen first, then build a plan around what you actually need. Start in minutes and get help from a real person whenever you need it. Monthly gifts let us plan ahead and respond quickly when disaster strikes. You receive photos and updates showing exactly what your donation achieved.
    </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">
      We listen first, then build a plan around what you actually need. Start in minutes and get help from a real person whenever you need it. Monthly gifts let us plan ahead and respond quickly when disaster strikes. You receive photos and updates showing exactly what your donation achieved.
    </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">
      We listen first, then build a plan around what you actually need. Start in minutes and get help from a real person whenever you need it. Monthly gifts let us plan ahead and respond quickly when disaster strikes. You receive photos and updates showing exactly what your donation achieved.
    </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">
      We listen first, then build a plan around what you actually need. Start in minutes and get help from a real person whenever you need it. Monthly gifts let us plan ahead and respond quickly when disaster strikes. You receive photos and updates showing exactly what your donation achieved.
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

2Horizontal scroll only

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

Volunteer programs

Clean water

Food relief

Animal rescue

Education fund

<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">
      Volunteer programs
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="fw-semibold small">
      Clean water
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="fw-semibold small">
      Food relief
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="fw-semibold small">
      Animal rescue
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="fw-semibold small">
      Education fund
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

3Vertical scroll only

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

Lea Delgado
Chloe Haddad
Nora Moreau
Ivy Brennan
Zoe Ashford
Mateo Silva

<ul class="list-unstyled border rounded-3 overflow-y-auto mb-0" style="max-height:150px">
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Lea Delgado</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Chloe Haddad</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Nora Moreau</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Ivy Brennan</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Zoe Ashford</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2">Mateo Silva</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-1557660559-42497f78035b?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-1560220604-1985ebfe28b1?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
#TX-8638	Ella Kowalski	Edinburgh	Apr 30, 2026	Cancelled	$422.38
#TX-6859	Isla Tanaka	Montreal	Jun 18, 2026	On hold	$579.61

<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>#TX-8638</td>
        <td>Ella Kowalski</td>
        <td>Edinburgh</td>
        <td>Apr 30, 2026</td>
        <td>Cancelled</td>
        <td>$422.38</td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>#TX-6859</td>
        <td>Isla Tanaka</td>
        <td>Montreal</td>
        <td>Jun 18, 2026</td>
        <td>On hold</td>
        <td>$579.61</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/sageio --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/sageio --base ./ --sourcemap false --emptyOutDir</code></pre>

7Chat window

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

Ninety cents of every dollar goes directly to the projects you support.

Clean water wells are built with and maintained by local communities.

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

Leave a gift in your will and help future generations.

<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">
      Ninety cents of every dollar goes directly to the projects you support.
    </div>
    <div class="align-self-end text-bg-primary rounded-3 px-2 py-1 small">
      Clean water wells are built with and maintained by local communities.
    </div>
    <div class="align-self-start bg-body-tertiary rounded-3 px-2 py-1 small">
      Every detail is handled by people who care about getting it right.
    </div>
    <div class="align-self-end text-bg-primary rounded-3 px-2 py-1 small">
      Leave a gift in your will and help future generations.
    </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">Environment</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">Education</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">story</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

Local partners know their communities and make sure help arrives where it matters. We have helped more than two hundred thousand people since we started. We measure success by how many donors come back and tell their friends.

A school kit costs less than a cinema ticket and lasts a whole year. We keep things simple, so you can focus on what matters to you. Our annual report is independently audited and published in full. Clear prices, honest advice and no surprises along the way.

Friendly people answer your questions quickly, by phone, chat or email. Thousands of donors already trust us, and we work hard to keep it that way. Companies can match employee donations and double their impact.

<div class="border rounded-3 p-3 overflow-auto small bg-body-tertiary" style="height:130px">
  <h3 class="h6">Terms of use</h3>
  <p>Local partners know their communities and make sure help arrives where it matters. We have helped more than two hundred thousand people since we started. We measure success by how many donors come back and tell their friends.</p>
  <p>A school kit costs less than a cinema ticket and lasts a whole year. We keep things simple, so you can focus on what matters to you. Our annual report is independently audited and published in full. Clear prices, honest advice and no surprises along the way.</p>
  <p class="mb-0">Friendly people answer your questions quickly, by phone, chat or email. Thousands of donors already trust us, and we work hard to keep it that way. Companies can match employee donations and double their impact.</p>
</div>

10Visible overflow for a badge

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

overflow-hidden8

overflow-visible6

<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">8</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">6</span>
  </div>
</div>

11Hidden overflow for a cropped title

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

Giving that you can see - Every donation is tax-deductible, and receipts arrive by email instantly.

Jun 2, 2026

<div class="border rounded-3 p-3" style="max-width:20rem">
  <div class="overflow-hidden fw-semibold lh-sm" style="height:2.5em">
    Giving that you can see - Every donation is tax-deductible, and receipts arrive by email instantly.
  </div>
  <div class="small text-body-secondary mt-1">
    Jun 2, 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. Companies can match employee donations and double their impact.

<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. Companies can match employee donations and double their impact.
  </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-1758599668338-4c55a3bd0ce0?auto=format&fit=crop&w=1600&h=700&q=70" alt="How to choose the right campaign" 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

Animal rescue

Doing

Education fund

Done

Animal rescue

<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">
      Animal rescue
    </div>
    <div class="bg-body border rounded-2 p-2 small mb-2">
      Animal rescue
    </div>
    <div class="bg-body border rounded-2 p-2 small">
      Animal rescue
    </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">
      Education fund
    </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">
      Animal rescue
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

15Overflow-x hidden

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

A school kit costs less than a cinema ticket and lasts a whole year.

Panel partly off the edge

<div class="position-relative overflow-x-hidden border rounded-3 p-3" style="height:110px">
  <div class="small">
    A school kit costs less than a cinema ticket and lasts a whole year.
  </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.

Our annual report is independently audited and published in full.

<div class="overflow-y-scroll border rounded-3 p-2 small" style="height:90px">
  Our annual report is independently audited and published in full.
</div>

17Notification panel

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

Notifications

We have helped more than two hundred thousand people since we started.

Clean water wells are built with and maintained by local communities.

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

Local partners know their communities and make sure help arrives where it matters.

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">
      We have helped more than two hundred thousand people since we started.
    </div>
    <div class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom small">
      Clean water wells are built with and maintained by local communities.
    </div>
    <div class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom small">
      Every detail is handled by people who care about getting it right.
    </div>
    <div class="px-3 py-2 small">
      Local partners know their communities and make sure help arrives where it matters.
    </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.

Every donation makes a difference

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

<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">Every donation makes a difference</h3>
  <p class="small mb-0 position-relative">Start in minutes and get help from a real person whenever you need it.</p>
</div>

19Long word handling

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

downloads/sageio/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/sageio/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/sageio/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	293 GB	Email and chat	Unlimited	$96.41

<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>9</td>
        <td>293 GB</td>
        <td>Email and chat</td>
        <td>Unlimited</td>
        <td>$96.41</td>
      </tr>
    </tbody>
  </table>
</div>