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

Workshops are limited to thirty seats, so everyone gets hands-on time. Every detail is handled by people who care about getting it right. Clear prices, honest advice and no surprises along the way. 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">
      Workshops are limited to thirty seats, so everyone gets hands-on time. Every detail is handled by people who care about getting it right. Clear prices, honest advice and no surprises along the way. 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">
      Workshops are limited to thirty seats, so everyone gets hands-on time. Every detail is handled by people who care about getting it right. Clear prices, honest advice and no surprises along the way. 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">
      Workshops are limited to thirty seats, so everyone gets hands-on time. Every detail is handled by people who care about getting it right. Clear prices, honest advice and no surprises along the way. 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">
      Workshops are limited to thirty seats, so everyone gets hands-on time. Every detail is handled by people who care about getting it right. Clear prices, honest advice and no surprises along the way. 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.

Ticketing

Speaker management

Venue booking

Networking app

<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">
      Ticketing
    </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">
      Networking app
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="fw-semibold small">
      Networking app
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

3Vertical scroll only

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

Liam Harlow
Lucas Hughes
Finn Kowalski
Nadia Mensah
Diego Ashford
Ruby Carter

<ul class="list-unstyled border rounded-3 overflow-y-auto mb-0" style="max-height:150px">
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Liam Harlow</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Lucas Hughes</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Finn Kowalski</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Nadia Mensah</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Diego Ashford</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2">Ruby Carter</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
#ORD-4136	Elena Kim	Denver	Oct 12, 2026	Active	$181.71
#INV-1382	Freya Moreau	Prague	Nov 27, 2025	Active	$190.77

<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-4136</td>
        <td>Elena Kim</td>
        <td>Denver</td>
        <td>Oct 12, 2026</td>
        <td>Active</td>
        <td>$181.71</td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>#INV-1382</td>
        <td>Freya Moreau</td>
        <td>Prague</td>
        <td>Nov 27, 2025</td>
        <td>Active</td>
        <td>$190.77</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/solais-labs --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/solais-labs --base ./ --sourcemap false --emptyOutDir</code></pre>

7Chat window

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

The networking app helps you meet the right people before you arrive.

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

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

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

<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">
      The networking app helps you meet the right people before you arrive.
    </div>
    <div class="align-self-end text-bg-primary rounded-3 px-2 py-1 small">
      Virtual passes let you join the main stage live from anywhere.
    </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">
      More than eighty speakers share what they have learned the hard way.
    </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">update</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-pill text-nowrap">Meetup</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-pill text-nowrap">case study</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">honest</a> 
</nav>

9Terms box

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

Terms of use

Start in minutes and get help from a real person whenever you need it. We measure success by how many attendees come back and tell their friends. Group tickets include a private meeting room for your team.

Thousands of attendees already trust us, and we work hard to keep it that way. Three days of keynotes, hands-on workshops and evening meetups. Friendly people answer your questions quickly, by phone, chat or email. Every session is recorded, so you can catch up on anything you missed.

We listen first, then build a plan around what you actually need. Every attendee receives a certificate of participation. 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>Start in minutes and get help from a real person whenever you need it. We measure success by how many attendees come back and tell their friends. Group tickets include a private meeting room for your team.</p>
  <p>Thousands of attendees already trust us, and we work hard to keep it that way. Three days of keynotes, hands-on workshops and evening meetups. Friendly people answer your questions quickly, by phone, chat or email. Every session is recorded, so you can catch up on anything you missed.</p>
  <p class="mb-0">We listen first, then build a plan around what you actually need. Every attendee receives a certificate of participation. 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-hidden4

overflow-visible9

<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">4</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">9</span>
  </div>
</div>

11Hidden overflow for a cropped title

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

Talks, workshops and new friendships - The venue is a short walk from the station and fully accessible.

Jun 11, 2026

<div class="border rounded-3 p-3" style="max-width:20rem">
  <div class="overflow-hidden fw-semibold lh-sm" style="height:2.5em">
    Talks, workshops and new friendships - The venue is a short walk from the station and fully accessible.
  </div>
  <div class="small text-body-secondary mt-1">
    Jun 11, 2026
  </div>
</div>

12Sidebar that scrolls separately

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

Our evening party is the best place to turn talks into friendships. Early bird tickets save you up to forty percent until the end of the month.

<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 evening party is the best place to turn talks into friendships. Early bird tickets save you up to forty percent until the end of the month.
  </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-1560523159-94c9d18bcf27?auto=format&fit=crop&w=1600&h=700&q=70" alt="Our favourite tips for busy weeks" 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

Live streaming

Venue booking

Doing

Speaker management

Done

Speaker management

<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">
      Live streaming
    </div>
    <div class="bg-body border rounded-2 p-2 small">
      Venue booking
    </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">
      Speaker management
    </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">
      Speaker management
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

15Overflow-x hidden

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

Friendly people answer your questions quickly, by phone, chat or email.

Panel partly off the edge

<div class="position-relative overflow-x-hidden border rounded-3 p-3" style="height:110px">
  <div class="small">
    Friendly people answer your questions quickly, by phone, chat or email.
  </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.

Workshops are limited to thirty seats, so everyone gets hands-on time.

<div class="overflow-y-scroll border rounded-3 p-2 small" style="height:90px">
  Workshops are limited to thirty seats, so everyone gets hands-on time.
</div>

17Notification panel

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

Notifications

Our evening party is the best place to turn talks into friendships.

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

Early bird tickets save you up to forty percent until the end of the month.

More than eighty speakers share what they have learned the hard 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">
      Our evening party is the best place to turn talks into friendships.
    </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 border-bottom small">
      Early bird tickets save you up to forty percent until the end of the month.
    </div>
    <div class="px-3 py-2 small">
      More than eighty speakers share what they have learned the hard 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.

The event your calendar has been waiting for

Sponsors meet decision-makers in a relaxed, friendly setting.

<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">The event your calendar has been waiting for</h3>
  <p class="small mb-0 position-relative">Sponsors meet decision-makers in a relaxed, friendly setting.</p>
</div>

19Long word handling

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

downloads/solais-labs/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/solais-labs/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/solais-labs/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	10	100 GB	Email and chat	Unlimited	$63.25

<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>10</td>
        <td>100 GB</td>
        <td>Email and chat</td>
        <td>Unlimited</td>
        <td>$63.25</td>
      </tr>
    </tbody>
  </table>
</div>