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-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">
Every update lands in one place, so nothing gets lost in email threads. Teams report saving around five hours a week after the first month. Your data is encrypted, backed up daily and hosted in the region you choose. Set up in an afternoon, connect the tools you use and invite your team.
</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">
Every update lands in one place, so nothing gets lost in email threads. Teams report saving around five hours a week after the first month. Your data is encrypted, backed up daily and hosted in the region you choose. Set up in an afternoon, connect the tools you use and invite your team.
</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">
Every update lands in one place, so nothing gets lost in email threads. Teams report saving around five hours a week after the first month. Your data is encrypted, backed up daily and hosted in the region you choose. Set up in an afternoon, connect the tools you use and invite your team.
</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">
Every update lands in one place, so nothing gets lost in email threads. Teams report saving around five hours a week after the first month. Your data is encrypted, backed up daily and hosted in the region you choose. Set up in an afternoon, connect the tools you use and invite your team.
</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">
Single sign-on
</div>
</div>
<div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
<div class="fw-semibold small">
Single sign-on
</div>
</div>
<div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
<div class="fw-semibold small">
Team analytics
</div>
</div>
<div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
<div class="fw-semibold small">
Team analytics
</div>
</div>
<div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
<div class="fw-semibold small">
Smart reporting
</div>
</div>
</div>3Vertical scroll only
overflow-y-auto and a max-height make a scrolling list.
- Theo Patel
- Priya Lindqvist
- Ravi Larsen
- Mateo Kowalski
- Omar Whitaker
- Lucas Sato
<ul class="list-unstyled border rounded-3 overflow-y-auto mb-0" style="max-height:150px">
<li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Theo Patel</li>
<li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Priya Lindqvist</li>
<li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Ravi Larsen</li>
<li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Mateo Kowalski</li>
<li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Omar Whitaker</li>
<li class="px-3 py-2">Lucas Sato</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="../assets/img/photo-1.svg" 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-1758691737124-05c5bffe46f0?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-9841 | Diego Brennan | Edinburgh | Oct 4, 2025 | Pending | $327.49 |
| #ORD-7245 | Amara Moreau | Montreal | Sep 18, 2025 | Overdue | $836.27 |
<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-9841</td>
<td>Diego Brennan</td>
<td>Edinburgh</td>
<td>Oct 4, 2025</td>
<td>Pending</td>
<td>$327.49</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>#ORD-7245</td>
<td>Amara Moreau</td>
<td>Montreal</td>
<td>Sep 18, 2025</td>
<td>Overdue</td>
<td>$836.27</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/vela --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/vela --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">
Automations take care of the repetitive steps, so people can focus on real work.
</div>
<div class="align-self-end text-bg-primary rounded-3 px-2 py-1 small">
We keep things simple, so you can focus on what matters to you.
</div>
<div class="align-self-start bg-body-tertiary rounded-3 px-2 py-1 small">
Real-time dashboards show what is on track and what needs attention.
</div>
<div class="align-self-end text-bg-primary rounded-3 px-2 py-1 small">
Our open API and ready-made integrations fit into the stack you already have.
</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">Support</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-pill text-nowrap">how-to</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-pill text-nowrap">Support</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-pill text-nowrap">design</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-pill text-nowrap">dashboard</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-pill text-nowrap">reliable</a>
</nav>9Terms box
A long text inside a bordered box with overflow-auto, like a licence agreement.
Terms of use
We measure success by how many customers come back and tell their friends. We listen first, then build a plan around what you actually need. Plan projects, track progress and share updates without another status meeting.
Granular roles keep sensitive work private while everyone else stays informed. Clear prices, honest advice and no surprises along the way. Start free, upgrade when you grow and cancel any time with one click. Friendly people answer your questions quickly, by phone, chat or email.
Start in minutes and get help from a real person whenever you need it. Thousands of customers already trust us, and we work hard to keep it that way. Every detail is handled by people who care about getting it right.
<div class="border rounded-3 p-3 overflow-auto small bg-body-tertiary" style="height:130px">
<h3 class="h6">Terms of use</h3>
<p>We measure success by how many customers come back and tell their friends. We listen first, then build a plan around what you actually need. Plan projects, track progress and share updates without another status meeting.</p>
<p>Granular roles keep sensitive work private while everyone else stays informed. Clear prices, honest advice and no surprises along the way. Start free, upgrade when you grow and cancel any time with one click. Friendly people answer your questions quickly, by phone, chat or email.</p>
<p class="mb-0">Start in minutes and get help from a real person whenever you need it. Thousands of customers already trust us, and we work hard to keep it that way. Every detail is handled by people who care about getting it right.</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">3</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">3</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">
From idea to release, without the chaos - Our team has done this many times, so you never have to guess.
</div>
<div class="small text-body-secondary mt-1">
Aug 29, 2026
</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">
Clear reports turn weekly numbers into decisions in minutes, not days. Onboarding guides and live chat help new colleagues get going on day one.
</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-1690264421892-46e3af5c3455?auto=format&fit=crop&w=1600&h=700&q=70" alt="A practical guide to async work" 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">
Team analytics
</div>
<div class="bg-body border rounded-2 p-2 small mb-2">
Team analytics
</div>
<div class="bg-body border rounded-2 p-2 small">
Smart reporting
</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">
Smart reporting
</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">
Workflow automation
</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">
We measure success by how many customers 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.
<div class="overflow-y-scroll border rounded-3 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.
<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">
Clear prices, honest advice and no surprises along the way.
</div>
<div class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom small">
Set up in an afternoon, connect the tools you use and invite your team.
</div>
<div class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom small">
Thousands of customers already trust us, and we work hard to keep it that way.
</div>
<div class="px-3 py-2 small">
Start in minutes and get help from a real person whenever you need it.
</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.
Work that moves itself forward
Real-time dashboards show what is on track and what needs attention.
<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">Work that moves itself forward</h3>
<p class="small mb-0 position-relative">Real-time dashboards show what is on track and what needs attention.</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/vela/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/vela/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 | 54 GB | Email and chat | Unlimited | $25.05 |
<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>54 GB</td>
<td>Email and chat</td>
<td>Unlimited</td>
<td>$25.05</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>