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-autooverflow-hiddenoverflow-visibleoverflow-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">
Our local agents know every street, school and coffee shop in the area. Neighbourhood guides cover transport, schools and things to do. We measure success by how many buyers come back and tell their friends. Start in minutes and get help from a real person whenever you need it.
</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">
Our local agents know every street, school and coffee shop in the area. Neighbourhood guides cover transport, schools and things to do. We measure success by how many buyers come back and tell their friends. Start in minutes and get help from a real person whenever you need it.
</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">
Our local agents know every street, school and coffee shop in the area. Neighbourhood guides cover transport, schools and things to do. We measure success by how many buyers come back and tell their friends. Start in minutes and get help from a real person whenever you need it.
</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">
Our local agents know every street, school and coffee shop in the area. Neighbourhood guides cover transport, schools and things to do. We measure success by how many buyers come back and tell their friends. Start in minutes and get help from a real person whenever you need it.
</div>
</div>
</div>2Horizontal scroll only
overflow-x-auto with flex-nowrap scrolls a row of cards sideways.
<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">
Property search
</div>
</div>
<div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
<div class="fw-semibold small">
Rental management
</div>
</div>
<div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
<div class="fw-semibold small">
Legal support
</div>
</div>
<div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
<div class="fw-semibold small">
Home valuation
</div>
</div>
<div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
<div class="fw-semibold small">
Virtual tours
</div>
</div>
</div>3Vertical scroll only
overflow-y-auto and a max-height make a scrolling list.
- Finn Carter
- Maya Larsen
- Freya Hughes
- Ethan Patel
- Mateo Tanaka
- Lucas Mensah
<ul class="list-unstyled border rounded-3 overflow-y-auto mb-0" style="max-height:150px">
<li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Finn Carter</li>
<li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Maya Larsen</li>
<li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Freya Hughes</li>
<li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Ethan Patel</li>
<li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Mateo Tanaka</li>
<li class="px-3 py-2">Lucas Mensah</li>
</ul>4Hidden to clip rounded corners
overflow-hidden on a rounded card clips the image corners.
<div class="row g-3">
<div class="col-6">
<div class="border rounded-4">
<img src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1580587771525-78b9dba3b914?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-1600596542815-ffad4c1539a9?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-2542 | Hana Moreau | Montreal | Oct 18, 2025 | Cancelled | $432.19 |
| #INV-2999 | Zoe Okafor | Lisbon | Oct 25, 2025 | In review | $384.64 |
<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-2542</td>
<td>Hana Moreau</td>
<td>Montreal</td>
<td>Oct 18, 2025</td>
<td>Cancelled</td>
<td>$432.19</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>#INV-2999</td>
<td>Zoe Okafor</td>
<td>Lisbon</td>
<td>Oct 25, 2025</td>
<td>In review</td>
<td>$384.64</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/umbraio-hub --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/umbraio-hub --base ./ --sourcemap false --emptyOutDir</code></pre>7Chat window
A fixed height message area with overflow-y-auto above a fixed input.
<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">
Clear prices, honest advice and no surprises along the way.
</div>
<div class="align-self-end text-bg-primary rounded-3 px-2 py-1 small">
Thousands of buyers already trust us, and we work hard to keep it that way.
</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">
Honest advice comes first, even when it means waiting for the right home.
</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">Land</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-pill text-nowrap">tips</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-pill text-nowrap">Villas</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">plan</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-pill text-nowrap">clear</a>
</nav>9Terms box
A long text inside a bordered box with overflow-auto, like a licence agreement.
Terms of use
Friendly people answer your questions quickly, by phone, chat or email. We listen first, then build a plan around what you actually need. Get a free, no-obligation valuation of your home within 48 hours. We keep things simple, so you can focus on what matters to you.
Our rental team manages repairs, payments and tenants for landlords. Mortgage advisors help you understand what you can afford before you start. Our team has done this many times, so you never have to guess.
Price alerts tell you the moment a home that fits your search comes on the market. Sellers get professional photos, floor plans and a marketing plan included. We handle the paperwork, so you can focus on planning the move. Get a free, no-obligation valuation of your home within 48 hours.
<div class="border rounded-3 p-3 overflow-auto small bg-body-tertiary" style="height:130px">
<h3 class="h6">Terms of use</h3>
<p>Friendly people answer your questions quickly, by phone, chat or email. We listen first, then build a plan around what you actually need. Get a free, no-obligation valuation of your home within 48 hours. We keep things simple, so you can focus on what matters to you.</p>
<p>Our rental team manages repairs, payments and tenants for landlords. Mortgage advisors help you understand what you can afford before you start. Our team has done this many times, so you never have to guess.</p>
<p class="mb-0">Price alerts tell you the moment a home that fits your search comes on the market. Sellers get professional photos, floor plans and a marketing plan included. We handle the paperwork, so you can focus on planning the move. Get a free, no-obligation valuation of your home within 48 hours.</p>
</div>10Visible overflow for a badge
overflow-visible lets a badge stick out of a box that would otherwise clip it.
<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">7</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.
<div class="border rounded-3 p-3" style="max-width:20rem">
<div class="overflow-hidden fw-semibold lh-sm" style="height:2.5em">
Properties with character, agents with heart - Start in minutes and get help from a real person whenever you need it.
</div>
<div class="small text-body-secondary mt-1">
Nov 19, 2025
</div>
</div>12Sidebar that scrolls separately
The nav column scrolls with overflow-y-auto while the content stays put.
<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">
Every listing is checked by our team, so the photos match what you see in person. We listen first, then build a plan around what you actually need.
</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-1582268611958-ebfd161ef9cf?auto=format&fit=crop&w=1600&h=700&q=70" alt="Ten questions to ask at a viewing" 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.
<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">
Mortgage advice
</div>
<div class="bg-body border rounded-2 p-2 small mb-2">
Legal support
</div>
<div class="bg-body border rounded-2 p-2 small">
Legal support
</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">
Home valuation
</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">
Property search
</div>
</div>
</div>15Overflow-x hidden
overflow-x-hidden hides content that slides in from the side, like an off-screen panel.
<div class="position-relative overflow-x-hidden border rounded-3 p-3" style="height:110px">
<div class="small">
Honest advice comes first, even when it means waiting for the right home.
</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.
<div class="overflow-y-scroll border rounded-3 p-2 small" style="height:90px">
Most of our homes sell within six weeks, often above the asking price.
</div>17Notification panel
A dropdown-like panel with header, scrolling body and footer.
<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">
Mortgage advisors help you understand what you can afford before you start.
</div>
<div class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom small">
Friendly people answer your questions quickly, by phone, chat or email.
</div>
<div class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom small">
Our rental team manages repairs, payments and tenants for landlords.
</div>
<div class="px-3 py-2 small">
Thousands of buyers already trust us, and we work hard to keep it that 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.
Smart property search, real advice
Every detail is handled by people who care about getting it right.
<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">Smart property search, real advice</h3>
<p class="small mb-0 position-relative">Every detail is handled by people who care about getting it right.</p>
</div>19Long word handling
overflow-hidden plus text-truncate versus text-break for an unbreakable string.
<div class="row g-2 small">
<div class="col-sm-6">
<div class="border rounded-3 p-2 text-truncate">
downloads/umbraio-hub/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/umbraio-hub/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 | 36 | 372 GB | Email and chat | Unlimited | $19.39 |
<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>36</td>
<td>372 GB</td>
<td>Email and chat</td>
<td>Unlimited</td>
<td>$19.39</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>