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

Every detail is handled by people who care about getting it right. Price alerts tell you the moment a home that fits your search comes on the market. Every listing is checked by our team, so the photos match what you see in person. We measure success by how many buyers come back and tell their friends.

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">
      Every detail is handled by people who care about getting it right. Price alerts tell you the moment a home that fits your search comes on the market. Every listing is checked by our team, so the photos match what you see in person. We measure success by how many buyers come back and tell their friends.
    </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 detail is handled by people who care about getting it right. Price alerts tell you the moment a home that fits your search comes on the market. Every listing is checked by our team, so the photos match what you see in person. We measure success by how many buyers come back and tell their friends.
    </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 detail is handled by people who care about getting it right. Price alerts tell you the moment a home that fits your search comes on the market. Every listing is checked by our team, so the photos match what you see in person. We measure success by how many buyers come back and tell their friends.
    </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 detail is handled by people who care about getting it right. Price alerts tell you the moment a home that fits your search comes on the market. Every listing is checked by our team, so the photos match what you see in person. We measure success by how many buyers come back and tell their friends.
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

2Horizontal scroll only

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

Property search

Rental management

Mortgage advice

Rental management

Legal support

<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">
      Mortgage advice
    </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>

3Vertical scroll only

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

Diego Larsen
Jonah Ortega
Kai Fischer
Hana Hughes
Liam Patel
Zoe Brennan

<ul class="list-unstyled border rounded-3 overflow-y-auto mb-0" style="max-height:150px">
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Diego Larsen</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Jonah Ortega</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Kai Fischer</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Hana Hughes</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Liam Patel</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2">Zoe Brennan</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-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-9342	Maya Alvarez	Seoul	Sep 23, 2026	On hold	$163.87
#PO-2135	Omar Kim	Barcelona	Jun 23, 2026	Completed	$712.98

<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-9342</td>
        <td>Maya Alvarez</td>
        <td>Seoul</td>
        <td>Sep 23, 2026</td>
        <td>On hold</td>
        <td>$163.87</td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>#PO-2135</td>
        <td>Omar Kim</td>
        <td>Barcelona</td>
        <td>Jun 23, 2026</td>
        <td>Completed</td>
        <td>$712.98</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/vivid-studio --base ./ --sourcemap false --emptyOutDir

<pre v-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/vivid-studio --base ./ --sourcemap false --emptyOutDir</code></pre>

7Chat window

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

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

Get a free, no-obligation valuation of your home within 48 hours.

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

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

<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">
      Start in minutes and get help from a real person whenever you need it.
    </div>
    <div class="align-self-end text-bg-primary rounded-3 px-2 py-1 small">
      Get a free, no-obligation valuation of your home within 48 hours.
    </div>
    <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">
      Our team has done this many times, so you never have to guess.
    </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">Commercial</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-pill text-nowrap">tutorial</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">insights</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">smart</a> 
</nav>

9Terms box

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

Terms of use

Our rental team manages repairs, payments and tenants for landlords. Honest advice comes first, even when it means waiting for the right home. Neighbourhood guides cover transport, schools and things to do.

Friendly people answer your questions quickly, by phone, chat or email. We handle the paperwork, so you can focus on planning the move. Mortgage advisors help you understand what you can afford before you start. We listen first, then build a plan around what you actually need.

Thousands of buyers already trust us, and we work hard to keep it that way. Most of our homes sell within six weeks, often above the asking price. Book viewings online and take a 3D tour before you leave the house. We handle the paperwork, so you can focus on planning the move.

<div class="border rounded-3 p-3 overflow-auto small bg-body-tertiary" style="height:130px">
  <h3 class="h6">Terms of use</h3>
  <p>Our rental team manages repairs, payments and tenants for landlords. Honest advice comes first, even when it means waiting for the right home. Neighbourhood guides cover transport, schools and things to do.</p>
  <p>Friendly people answer your questions quickly, by phone, chat or email. We handle the paperwork, so you can focus on planning the move. Mortgage advisors help you understand what you can afford before you start. We listen first, then build a plan around what you actually need.</p>
  <p class="mb-0">Thousands of buyers already trust us, and we work hard to keep it that way. Most of our homes sell within six weeks, often above the asking price. Book viewings online and take a 3D tour before you leave the house. We handle the paperwork, so you can focus on planning the move.</p>
</div>

10Visible overflow for a badge

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

overflow-hidden3

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">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">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.

Find the home that fits your life - Neighbourhood guides cover transport, schools and things to do.

Aug 19, 2026

<div class="border rounded-3 p-3" style="max-width:20rem">
  <div class="overflow-hidden fw-semibold lh-sm" style="height:2.5em">
    Find the home that fits your life - Neighbourhood guides cover transport, schools and things to do.
  </div>
  <div class="small text-body-secondary mt-1">
    Aug 19, 2026
  </div>
</div>

12Sidebar that scrolls separately

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

Start in minutes and get help from a real person whenever you need it. Our team has done this many times, so you never have to guess.

<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">
    Start in minutes and get help from a real person whenever you need it. Our team has done this many times, so you never have to guess.
  </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-1580587771525-78b9dba3b914?auto=format&fit=crop&w=1600&h=700&q=70" alt="How we sold a lake cottage in nine days" 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

Rental management

Mortgage advice

Property search

Doing

Property search

Done

Rental 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">
      Rental management
    </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">
      Property search
    </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">
      Property search
    </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">
      Rental management
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

15Overflow-x hidden

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

Book viewings online and take a 3D tour before you leave the house.

Panel partly off the edge

<div class="position-relative overflow-x-hidden border rounded-3 p-3" style="height:110px">
  <div class="small">
    Book viewings online and take a 3D tour before you leave the house.
  </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.

Thousands of buyers already trust us, and we work hard to keep it that way.

<div class="overflow-y-scroll border rounded-3 p-2 small" style="height:90px">
  Thousands of buyers already trust us, and we work hard to keep it that way.
</div>

17Notification panel

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

Notifications

Our rental team manages repairs, payments and tenants for landlords.

Our local agents know every street, school and coffee shop in the area.

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

We listen first, then build a plan around what you actually need.

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 rental team manages repairs, payments and tenants for landlords.
    </div>
    <div class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom small">
      Our local agents know every street, school and coffee shop in the area.
    </div>
    <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 small">
      We listen first, then build a plan around what you actually need.
    </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.

Local agents who know every street

Honest advice comes first, even when it means waiting for the right home.

<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">Local agents who know every street</h3>
  <p class="small mb-0 position-relative">Honest advice comes first, even when it means waiting for the right home.</p>
</div>

19Long word handling

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

downloads/vivid-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/vivid-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/vivid-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	47	190 GB	Email and chat	Unlimited	$70.81

<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>47</td>
        <td>190 GB</td>
        <td>Email and chat</td>
        <td>Unlimited</td>
        <td>$70.81</td>
      </tr>
    </tbody>
  </table>
</div>