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

Our sommelier has paired each dish with wines from small family vineyards. We keep things simple, so you can focus on what matters to you. Every detail is handled by people who care about getting it right. Private dining rooms seat up to forty guests for birthdays and business dinners.

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">
      Our sommelier has paired each dish with wines from small family vineyards. We keep things simple, so you can focus on what matters to you. Every detail is handled by people who care about getting it right. Private dining rooms seat up to forty guests for birthdays and business dinners.
    </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 sommelier has paired each dish with wines from small family vineyards. We keep things simple, so you can focus on what matters to you. Every detail is handled by people who care about getting it right. Private dining rooms seat up to forty guests for birthdays and business dinners.
    </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 sommelier has paired each dish with wines from small family vineyards. We keep things simple, so you can focus on what matters to you. Every detail is handled by people who care about getting it right. Private dining rooms seat up to forty guests for birthdays and business dinners.
    </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 sommelier has paired each dish with wines from small family vineyards. We keep things simple, so you can focus on what matters to you. Every detail is handled by people who care about getting it right. Private dining rooms seat up to forty guests for birthdays and business dinners.
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

2Horizontal scroll only

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

Dine-in

Catering

Cooking classes

<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">
      Dine-in
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="fw-semibold small">
      Catering
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="fw-semibold small">
      Cooking classes
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="fw-semibold small">
      Cooking classes
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="fw-semibold small">
      Cooking classes
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

3Vertical scroll only

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

Finn Kim
Diego Varga
Owen Moreau
Mason Duarte
Freya Novak
Samir Ibrahim

<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 Kim</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Diego Varga</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Owen Moreau</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Mason Duarte</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Freya Novak</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2">Samir Ibrahim</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-1517248135467-4c7edcad34c4?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-1565895405140-6b9830a88c19?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-6027	Nora Fischer	Lisbon	Oct 23, 2025	Completed	$296.28
#INV-1212	Felix Carter	Dublin	Apr 5, 2026	Approved	$648.02

<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-6027</td>
        <td>Nora Fischer</td>
        <td>Lisbon</td>
        <td>Oct 23, 2025</td>
        <td>Completed</td>
        <td>$296.28</td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>#INV-1212</td>
        <td>Felix Carter</td>
        <td>Dublin</td>
        <td>Apr 5, 2026</td>
        <td>Approved</td>
        <td>$648.02</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/wrenora --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/wrenora --base ./ --sourcemap false --emptyOutDir</code></pre>

7Chat window

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

Our terrace is open from spring to autumn, with heaters for cooler evenings.

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

Book a table online in seconds, or call us for groups of eight or more.

We have been feeding this neighbourhood for over a decade, and we still love it.

<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 terrace is open from spring to autumn, with heaters for cooler evenings.
    </div>
    <div class="align-self-end text-bg-primary rounded-3 px-2 py-1 small">
      Friendly people answer your questions quickly, by phone, chat or email.
    </div>
    <div class="align-self-start bg-body-tertiary rounded-3 px-2 py-1 small">
      Book a table online in seconds, or call us for groups of eight or more.
    </div>
    <div class="align-self-end text-bg-primary rounded-3 px-2 py-1 small">
      We have been feeding this neighbourhood for over a decade, and we still love it.
    </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">Starters</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">Starters</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">story</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-pill text-nowrap">practical</a> 
</nav>

9Terms box

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

Terms of use

Vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free dishes are marked clearly on every menu. Our team has done this many times, so you never have to guess. Cooking classes on Saturday mornings teach you our favourite recipes. Start in minutes and get help from a real person whenever you need it.

Thousands of guests already trust us, and we work hard to keep it that way. We listen first, then build a plan around what you actually need. Our menu changes with the seasons and the best produce from nearby farms. We measure success by how many guests come back and tell their friends.

Order for pickup or delivery and enjoy the same dishes at home. Bread is baked every morning and pasta is rolled by hand in our kitchen. Every dish is cooked to order, so tell us if you would like anything changed.

<div class="border rounded-3 p-3 overflow-auto small bg-body-tertiary" style="height:130px">
  <h3 class="h6">Terms of use</h3>
  <p>Vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free dishes are marked clearly on every menu. Our team has done this many times, so you never have to guess. Cooking classes on Saturday mornings teach you our favourite recipes. Start in minutes and get help from a real person whenever you need it.</p>
  <p>Thousands of guests already trust us, and we work hard to keep it that way. We listen first, then build a plan around what you actually need. Our menu changes with the seasons and the best produce from nearby farms. We measure success by how many guests come back and tell their friends.</p>
  <p class="mb-0">Order for pickup or delivery and enjoy the same dishes at home. Bread is baked every morning and pasta is rolled by hand in our kitchen. Every dish is cooked to order, so tell us if you would like anything changed.</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-visible6

<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">6</span>
  </div>
</div>

11Hidden overflow for a cropped title

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

Dinner worth getting dressed up for - Clear prices, honest advice and no surprises along the way.

May 20, 2026

<div class="border rounded-3 p-3" style="max-width:20rem">
  <div class="overflow-hidden fw-semibold lh-sm" style="height:2.5em">
    Dinner worth getting dressed up for - Clear prices, honest advice and no surprises along the way.
  </div>
  <div class="small text-body-secondary mt-1">
    May 20, 2026
  </div>
</div>

12Sidebar that scrolls separately

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

Private dining rooms seat up to forty guests for birthdays and business dinners. We listen first, then build a plan around what you actually need.

<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">
    Private dining rooms seat up to forty guests for birthdays and business dinners. 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-1517248135467-4c7edcad34c4?auto=format&fit=crop&w=1600&h=700&q=70" alt="Three pasta shapes to make at home" 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

Dine-in

Takeaway

Private events

Doing

Dine-in

Done

Cooking classes

<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">
      Dine-in
    </div>
    <div class="bg-body border rounded-2 p-2 small mb-2">
      Takeaway
    </div>
    <div class="bg-body border rounded-2 p-2 small">
      Private events
    </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">
      Dine-in
    </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">
      Cooking classes
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

15Overflow-x hidden

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

Cooking classes on Saturday mornings teach you our favourite recipes.

Panel partly off the edge

<div class="position-relative overflow-x-hidden border rounded-3 p-3" style="height:110px">
  <div class="small">
    Cooking classes on Saturday mornings teach you our favourite recipes.
  </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 dish is cooked to order, so tell us if you would like anything changed.

<div class="overflow-y-scroll border rounded-3 p-2 small" style="height:90px">
  Every dish is cooked to order, so tell us if you would like anything changed.
</div>

17Notification panel

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

Notifications

Children are always welcome, with a menu made just for them.

Our sommelier has paired each dish with wines from small family vineyards.

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

Our terrace is open from spring to autumn, with heaters for cooler evenings.

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">
      Children are always welcome, with a menu made just for them.
    </div>
    <div class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom small">
      Our sommelier has paired each dish with wines from small family vineyards.
    </div>
    <div class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom small">
      Thousands of guests already trust us, and we work hard to keep it that way.
    </div>
    <div class="px-3 py-2 small">
      Our terrace is open from spring to autumn, with heaters for cooler evenings.
    </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.

Cooked with care, served with a smile

Book a table online in seconds, or call us for groups of eight or more.

<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">Cooked with care, served with a smile</h3>
  <p class="small mb-0 position-relative">Book a table online in seconds, or call us for groups of eight or more.</p>
</div>

19Long word handling

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

downloads/wrenora/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/wrenora/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/wrenora/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	200 GB	Email and chat	Unlimited	$65.90

<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>200 GB</td>
        <td>Email and chat</td>
        <td>Unlimited</td>
        <td>$65.90</td>
      </tr>
    </tbody>
  </table>
</div>