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. Friendly people answer your questions quickly, by phone, chat or email. Thousands of members already trust us, and we work hard to keep it that way. Beginners are always welcome, with an intro session included.

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. Friendly people answer your questions quickly, by phone, chat or email. Thousands of members already trust us, and we work hard to keep it that way. Beginners are always welcome, with an intro session included.
    </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. Friendly people answer your questions quickly, by phone, chat or email. Thousands of members already trust us, and we work hard to keep it that way. Beginners are always welcome, with an intro session included.
    </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. Friendly people answer your questions quickly, by phone, chat or email. Thousands of members already trust us, and we work hard to keep it that way. Beginners are always welcome, with an intro session included.
    </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. Friendly people answer your questions quickly, by phone, chat or email. Thousands of members already trust us, and we work hard to keep it that way. Beginners are always welcome, with an intro session included.
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

2Horizontal scroll only

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

Nutrition plans

Online coaching

Yoga

Group classes

Nutrition plans

<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">
      Nutrition plans
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="fw-semibold small">
      Online coaching
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="fw-semibold small">
      Yoga
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="fw-semibold small">
      Group classes
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="fw-semibold small">
      Nutrition plans
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

3Vertical scroll only

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

Maya Okafor
Noah Fischer
Sofia Duarte
Priya Ashford
Isla Novak
Mason Morgan

<ul class="list-unstyled border rounded-3 overflow-y-auto mb-0" style="max-height:150px">
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Maya Okafor</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Noah Fischer</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Sofia Duarte</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Priya Ashford</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Isla Novak</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2">Mason Morgan</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-1517836357463-d25dfeac3438?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-1761839258420-5c3e2f2e2a74?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
#ORD-2787	Aria Quinn	Seoul	Apr 7, 2026	Shipped	$593.99
#PO-4163	Samir Lindqvist	Vancouver	Oct 1, 2025	Active	$607.29

<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>#ORD-2787</td>
        <td>Aria Quinn</td>
        <td>Seoul</td>
        <td>Apr 7, 2026</td>
        <td>Shipped</td>
        <td>$593.99</td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>#PO-4163</td>
        <td>Samir Lindqvist</td>
        <td>Vancouver</td>
        <td>Oct 1, 2025</td>
        <td>Active</td>
        <td>$607.29</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/sageo-studio --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/sageo-studio --base ./ --sourcemap false --emptyOutDir</code></pre>

7Chat window

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

Our recovery spa has a sauna, cold plunge and massage rooms.

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

Nutrition plans fit your routine and the food you actually enjoy.

Community events keep you motivated, from fun runs to workshops.

<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">
      Our recovery spa has a sauna, cold plunge and massage rooms.
    </div>
    <div class="align-self-end text-bg-primary rounded-3 px-2 py-1 small">
      Start in minutes and get help from a real person whenever you need it.
    </div>
    <div class="align-self-start bg-body-tertiary rounded-3 px-2 py-1 small">
      Nutrition plans fit your routine and the food you actually enjoy.
    </div>
    <div class="align-self-end text-bg-primary rounded-3 px-2 py-1 small">
      Community events keep you motivated, from fun runs to workshops.
    </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">Recovery</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-pill text-nowrap">release</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-pill text-nowrap">Recovery</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">goal</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-pill text-nowrap">friendly</a> 
</nav>

9Terms box

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

Terms of use

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

Modern equipment is cleaned, serviced and ready every day. More than sixty classes a week, from sunrise yoga to late-night spin. We listen first, then build a plan around what you actually need.

Small group classes mean your coach knows your name and your form. Friendly people answer your questions quickly, by phone, chat or email. Certified coaches design every session around your level and your goals. We keep things simple, so you can focus on what matters to you.

<div class="border rounded-3 p-3 overflow-auto small bg-body-tertiary" style="height:130px">
  <h3 class="h6">Terms of use</h3>
  <p>Clear prices, honest advice and no surprises along the way. Thousands of members 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.</p>
  <p>Modern equipment is cleaned, serviced and ready every day. More than sixty classes a week, from sunrise yoga to late-night spin. We listen first, then build a plan around what you actually need.</p>
  <p class="mb-0">Small group classes mean your coach knows your name and your form. Friendly people answer your questions quickly, by phone, chat or email. Certified coaches design every session around your level and your goals. We keep things simple, so you can focus on what matters to you.</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-visible4

<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">4</span>
  </div>
</div>

11Hidden overflow for a cropped title

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

Your fitness journey starts now - Open 24 hours, so you can train whenever it suits your day.

Aug 25, 2026

<div class="border rounded-3 p-3" style="max-width:20rem">
  <div class="overflow-hidden fw-semibold lh-sm" style="height:2.5em">
    Your fitness journey starts now - Open 24 hours, so you can train whenever it suits your day.
  </div>
  <div class="small text-body-secondary mt-1">
    Aug 25, 2026
  </div>
</div>

12Sidebar that scrolls separately

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

Track your progress in the app and see how far you have come. Online coaching keeps you on track when you travel.

<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">
    Track your progress in the app and see how far you have come. Online coaching keeps you on track when you travel.
  </div>
</div>

13Image pan area

A large image in an overflow-auto box can be scrolled in both directions.

Why recovery matters as much as training

<div class="overflow-auto border rounded-3" style="height:160px;max-width:26rem">
  <img src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1517836357463-d25dfeac3438?auto=format&fit=crop&w=1600&h=700&q=70" alt="Why recovery matters as much as training" 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

Nutrition plans

Online coaching

Doing

Recovery spa

Done

Recovery spa

<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">
      Nutrition plans
    </div>
    <div class="bg-body border rounded-2 p-2 small mb-2">
      Online coaching
    </div>
    <div class="bg-body border rounded-2 p-2 small">
      Online coaching
    </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">
      Recovery spa
    </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">
      Recovery spa
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

15Overflow-x hidden

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

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

Panel partly off the edge

<div class="position-relative overflow-x-hidden border rounded-3 p-3" style="height:110px">
  <div class="small">
    We measure success by how many members come back and tell their friends.
  </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.

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

<div class="overflow-y-scroll border rounded-3 p-2 small" style="height:90px">
  Every detail is handled by people who care about getting it right.
</div>

17Notification panel

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

Notifications

Beginners are always welcome, with an intro session included.

Pause or change your membership any time, with no long contracts.

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

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

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">
      Beginners are always welcome, with an intro session included.
    </div>
    <div class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom small">
      Pause or change your membership any time, with no long contracts.
    </div>
    <div class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom small">
      Our team has done this many times, so you never have to guess.
    </div>
    <div class="px-3 py-2 small">
      Clear prices, honest advice and no surprises along the way.
    </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.

Stronger every single day

Community events keep you motivated, from fun runs to workshops.

<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">Stronger every single day</h3>
  <p class="small mb-0 position-relative">Community events keep you motivated, from fun runs to workshops.</p>
</div>

19Long word handling

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

downloads/sageo-studio/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/sageo-studio/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/sageo-studio/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	45	214 GB	Email and chat	Unlimited	$51.48

<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>45</td>
        <td>214 GB</td>
        <td>Email and chat</td>
        <td>Unlimited</td>
        <td>$51.48</td>
      </tr>
    </tbody>
  </table>
</div>