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

Monthly gifts let us plan ahead and respond quickly when disaster strikes. We keep things simple, so you can focus on what matters to you. Every donation is tax-deductible, and receipts arrive by email instantly. Volunteers give their time in schools, shelters and food banks every week.

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">
      Monthly gifts let us plan ahead and respond quickly when disaster strikes. We keep things simple, so you can focus on what matters to you. Every donation is tax-deductible, and receipts arrive by email instantly. Volunteers give their time in schools, shelters and food banks every week.
    </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">
      Monthly gifts let us plan ahead and respond quickly when disaster strikes. We keep things simple, so you can focus on what matters to you. Every donation is tax-deductible, and receipts arrive by email instantly. Volunteers give their time in schools, shelters and food banks every week.
    </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">
      Monthly gifts let us plan ahead and respond quickly when disaster strikes. We keep things simple, so you can focus on what matters to you. Every donation is tax-deductible, and receipts arrive by email instantly. Volunteers give their time in schools, shelters and food banks every week.
    </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">
      Monthly gifts let us plan ahead and respond quickly when disaster strikes. We keep things simple, so you can focus on what matters to you. Every donation is tax-deductible, and receipts arrive by email instantly. Volunteers give their time in schools, shelters and food banks every week.
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

2Horizontal scroll only

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

Food relief

Animal rescue

Volunteer programs

Education fund

<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">
      Food relief
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="fw-semibold small">
      Animal rescue
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="fw-semibold small">
      Animal rescue
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="fw-semibold small">
      Volunteer programs
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="fw-semibold small">
      Education fund
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

3Vertical scroll only

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

Omar Brennan
Leo Harlow
Samir Morgan
Tariq Kim
Luna Tanaka
Elena 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">Omar Brennan</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Leo Harlow</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Samir Morgan</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Tariq Kim</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Luna Tanaka</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2">Elena 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-1557660559-42497f78035b?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-1560220604-1985ebfe28b1?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-6673	Zoe Moreau	Dublin	Jul 3, 2026	Active	$281.66
#TX-3431	Lea Duarte	Auckland	May 6, 2026	Draft	$277.01

<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-6673</td>
        <td>Zoe Moreau</td>
        <td>Dublin</td>
        <td>Jul 3, 2026</td>
        <td>Active</td>
        <td>$281.66</td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>#TX-3431</td>
        <td>Lea Duarte</td>
        <td>Auckland</td>
        <td>May 6, 2026</td>
        <td>Draft</td>
        <td>$277.01</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/xenoara-co --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/xenoara-co --base ./ --sourcemap false --emptyOutDir</code></pre>

7Chat window

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

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

A school kit costs less than a cinema ticket and lasts a whole year.

We have helped more than two hundred thousand people since we started.

Local partners know their communities and make sure help arrives where it matters.

<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">
      Thousands of donors already trust us, and we work hard to keep it that way.
    </div>
    <div class="align-self-end text-bg-primary rounded-3 px-2 py-1 small">
      A school kit costs less than a cinema ticket and lasts a whole year.
    </div>
    <div class="align-self-start bg-body-tertiary rounded-3 px-2 py-1 small">
      We have helped more than two hundred thousand people since we started.
    </div>
    <div class="align-self-end text-bg-primary rounded-3 px-2 py-1 small">
      Local partners know their communities and make sure help arrives where it matters.
    </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">Education</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-pill text-nowrap">guide</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-pill text-nowrap">Environment</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">plan</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-pill text-nowrap">modern</a> 
</nav>

9Terms box

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

Terms of use

Clean water wells are built with and maintained by local communities. Our team has done this many times, so you never have to guess. We listen first, then build a plan around what you actually need. Every detail is handled by people who care about getting it right.

We measure success by how many donors come back and tell their friends. Companies can match employee donations and double their impact. Start in minutes and get help from a real person whenever you need it.

You receive photos and updates showing exactly what your donation achieved. Friendly people answer your questions quickly, by phone, chat or email. Clear prices, honest advice and no surprises along the way.

<div class="border rounded-3 p-3 overflow-auto small bg-body-tertiary" style="height:130px">
  <h3 class="h6">Terms of use</h3>
  <p>Clean water wells are built with and maintained by local communities. Our team has done this many times, so you never have to guess. We listen first, then build a plan around what you actually need. Every detail is handled by people who care about getting it right.</p>
  <p>We measure success by how many donors come back and tell their friends. Companies can match employee donations and double their impact. Start in minutes and get help from a real person whenever you need it.</p>
  <p class="mb-0">You receive photos and updates showing exactly what your donation achieved. Friendly people answer your questions quickly, by phone, chat or email. Clear prices, honest advice and no surprises along the way.</p>
</div>

10Visible overflow for a badge

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

overflow-hidden7

overflow-visible7

<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">7</span>
  </div>
</div>

11Hidden overflow for a cropped title

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

Giving that you can see - Leave a gift in your will and help future generations.

Oct 3, 2026

<div class="border rounded-3 p-3" style="max-width:20rem">
  <div class="overflow-hidden fw-semibold lh-sm" style="height:2.5em">
    Giving that you can see - Leave a gift in your will and help future generations.
  </div>
  <div class="small text-body-secondary mt-1">
    Oct 3, 2026
  </div>
</div>

12Sidebar that scrolls separately

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

Our annual report is independently audited and published in full. Clean water wells are built with and maintained by local communities.

<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 annual report is independently audited and published in full. Clean water wells are built with and maintained by local communities.
  </div>
</div>

13Image pan area

A large image in an overflow-auto box can be scrolled in both directions.

Why monthly giving makes such a difference

<div class="overflow-auto border rounded-3" style="height:160px;max-width:26rem">
  <img src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1758599668203-05ee0bca83ef?auto=format&fit=crop&w=1600&h=700&q=70" alt="Why monthly giving makes such a difference" 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

Animal rescue

Food relief

Animal rescue

Doing

Volunteer programs

Done

Education fund

<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">
      Animal rescue
    </div>
    <div class="bg-body border rounded-2 p-2 small mb-2">
      Food relief
    </div>
    <div class="bg-body border rounded-2 p-2 small">
      Animal rescue
    </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">
      Volunteer programs
    </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">
      Education fund
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

15Overflow-x hidden

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

Local partners know their communities and make sure help arrives where it matters.

Panel partly off the edge

<div class="position-relative overflow-x-hidden border rounded-3 p-3" style="height:110px">
  <div class="small">
    Local partners know their communities and make sure help arrives where it matters.
  </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.

We keep things simple, so you can focus on what matters to you.

<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.

Notifications

Leave a gift in your will and help future generations.

Every detail is handled by people who care about getting it right.

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

We have helped more than two hundred thousand people since we started.

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">
      Leave a gift in your will and help future generations.
    </div>
    <div class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom small">
      Every detail is handled by people who care about getting it right.
    </div>
    <div class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom small">
      Start in minutes and get help from a real person whenever you need it.
    </div>
    <div class="px-3 py-2 small">
      We have helped more than two hundred thousand people since we started.
    </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.

Stand with families in need

Monthly gifts let us plan ahead and respond quickly when disaster strikes.

<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">Stand with families in need</h3>
  <p class="small mb-0 position-relative">Monthly gifts let us plan ahead and respond quickly when disaster strikes.</p>
</div>

19Long word handling

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

downloads/xenoara-co/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/xenoara-co/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/xenoara-co/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	16	395 GB	Email and chat	Unlimited	$87.08

<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>16</td>
        <td>395 GB</td>
        <td>Email and chat</td>
        <td>Unlimited</td>
        <td>$87.08</td>
      </tr>
    </tbody>
  </table>
</div>