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

Three days of keynotes, hands-on workshops and evening meetups. Every detail is handled by people who care about getting it right. Sponsors meet decision-makers in a relaxed, friendly setting. Our evening party is the best place to turn talks into friendships.

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">
      Three days of keynotes, hands-on workshops and evening meetups. Every detail is handled by people who care about getting it right. Sponsors meet decision-makers in a relaxed, friendly setting. Our evening party is the best place to turn talks into friendships.
    </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">
      Three days of keynotes, hands-on workshops and evening meetups. Every detail is handled by people who care about getting it right. Sponsors meet decision-makers in a relaxed, friendly setting. Our evening party is the best place to turn talks into friendships.
    </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">
      Three days of keynotes, hands-on workshops and evening meetups. Every detail is handled by people who care about getting it right. Sponsors meet decision-makers in a relaxed, friendly setting. Our evening party is the best place to turn talks into friendships.
    </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">
      Three days of keynotes, hands-on workshops and evening meetups. Every detail is handled by people who care about getting it right. Sponsors meet decision-makers in a relaxed, friendly setting. Our evening party is the best place to turn talks into friendships.
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

2Horizontal scroll only

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

Venue booking

Sponsorship

Ticketing

Speaker management

Live streaming

<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">
      Venue booking
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="fw-semibold small">
      Sponsorship
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="fw-semibold small">
      Ticketing
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="fw-semibold small">
      Speaker management
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="fw-semibold small">
      Live streaming
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

3Vertical scroll only

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

Mia Duarte
Chloe Harlow
Theo Brennan
Ella Silva
Zoe Varga
Felix Novak

<ul class="list-unstyled border rounded-3 overflow-y-auto mb-0" style="max-height:150px">
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Mia Duarte</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Chloe Harlow</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Theo Brennan</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Ella Silva</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Zoe Varga</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2">Felix Novak</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-1773828755374-0ee802d9f44b?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-1773829020694-413e879d2957?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-9281	Mason Alvarez	Austin	Jun 16, 2026	Overdue	$87.62
#TX-2002	Amara Fischer	Vancouver	Sep 1, 2026	In review	$566.53

<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-9281</td>
        <td>Mason Alvarez</td>
        <td>Austin</td>
        <td>Jun 16, 2026</td>
        <td>Overdue</td>
        <td>$87.62</td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>#TX-2002</td>
        <td>Amara Fischer</td>
        <td>Vancouver</td>
        <td>Sep 1, 2026</td>
        <td>In review</td>
        <td>$566.53</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 --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/xenoara --base ./ --sourcemap false --emptyOutDir</code></pre>

7Chat window

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

Group tickets include a private meeting room for your team.

Workshops are limited to thirty seats, so everyone gets hands-on time.

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

We measure success by how many attendees come back and tell their friends.

<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">
      Group tickets include a private meeting room for your team.
    </div>
    <div class="align-self-end text-bg-primary rounded-3 px-2 py-1 small">
      Workshops are limited to thirty seats, so everyone gets hands-on time.
    </div>
    <div class="align-self-start bg-body-tertiary rounded-3 px-2 py-1 small">
      Friendly people answer your questions quickly, by phone, chat or email.
    </div>
    <div class="align-self-end text-bg-primary rounded-3 px-2 py-1 small">
      We measure success by how many attendees come back and tell their friends.
    </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">Meetup</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-pill text-nowrap">product</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-pill text-nowrap">Workshop</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">community</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-pill text-nowrap">focused</a> 
</nav>

9Terms box

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

Terms of use

The networking app helps you meet the right people before you arrive. More than eighty speakers share what they have learned the hard way. Three days of keynotes, hands-on workshops and evening meetups. Virtual passes let you join the main stage live from anywhere.

Every attendee receives a certificate of participation. Early bird tickets save you up to forty percent until the end of the month. The venue is a short walk from the station and fully accessible. Thousands of attendees already trust us, and we work hard to keep it that way.

Clear prices, honest advice and no surprises along the way. Every session is recorded, so you can catch up on anything you missed. Our team has done this many times, so you never have to guess.

<div class="border rounded-3 p-3 overflow-auto small bg-body-tertiary" style="height:130px">
  <h3 class="h6">Terms of use</h3>
  <p>The networking app helps you meet the right people before you arrive. More than eighty speakers share what they have learned the hard way. Three days of keynotes, hands-on workshops and evening meetups. Virtual passes let you join the main stage live from anywhere.</p>
  <p>Every attendee receives a certificate of participation. Early bird tickets save you up to forty percent until the end of the month. The venue is a short walk from the station and fully accessible. Thousands of attendees already trust us, and we work hard to keep it that way.</p>
  <p class="mb-0">Clear prices, honest advice and no surprises along the way. Every session is recorded, so you can catch up on anything you missed. Our team has done this many times, so you never have to guess.</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-visible2

<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">2</span>
  </div>
</div>

11Hidden overflow for a cropped title

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

Talks, workshops and new friendships - Start in minutes and get help from a real person whenever you need it.

Mar 18, 2026

<div class="border rounded-3 p-3" style="max-width:20rem">
  <div class="overflow-hidden fw-semibold lh-sm" style="height:2.5em">
    Talks, workshops and new friendships - Start in minutes and get help from a real person whenever you need it.
  </div>
  <div class="small text-body-secondary mt-1">
    Mar 18, 2026
  </div>
</div>

12Sidebar that scrolls separately

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

We keep things simple, so you can focus on what matters to you. 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">
    We keep things simple, so you can focus on what matters to you. 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-1770097286213-6d6fc60f4cdf?auto=format&fit=crop&w=1600&h=700&q=70" alt="Ten talks you should not miss this year" 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

Sponsorship

Venue booking

Sponsorship

Doing

Ticketing

Done

Live streaming

<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">
      Sponsorship
    </div>
    <div class="bg-body border rounded-2 p-2 small mb-2">
      Venue booking
    </div>
    <div class="bg-body border rounded-2 p-2 small">
      Sponsorship
    </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">
      Ticketing
    </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">
      Live streaming
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

15Overflow-x hidden

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

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

Panel partly off the edge

<div class="position-relative overflow-x-hidden border rounded-3 p-3" style="height:110px">
  <div class="small">
    Our team has done this many times, so you never have to guess.
  </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.

The venue is a short walk from the station and fully accessible.

<div class="overflow-y-scroll border rounded-3 p-2 small" style="height:90px">
  The venue is a short walk from the station and fully accessible.
</div>

17Notification panel

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

Notifications

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

More than eighty speakers share what they have learned the hard way.

The networking app helps you meet the right people before you arrive.

Three days of keynotes, hands-on workshops and evening meetups.

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">
      Thousands of attendees already trust us, and we work hard to keep it that way.
    </div>
    <div class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom small">
      More than eighty speakers share what they have learned the hard way.
    </div>
    <div class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom small">
      The networking app helps you meet the right people before you arrive.
    </div>
    <div class="px-3 py-2 small">
      Three days of keynotes, hands-on workshops and evening meetups.
    </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.

Where great ideas meet

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

<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">Where great ideas meet</h3>
  <p class="small mb-0 position-relative">Start in minutes and get help from a real person whenever you need it.</p>
</div>

19Long word handling

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

downloads/xenoara/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/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/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	40	145 GB	Email and chat	Unlimited	$47.75

<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>40</td>
        <td>145 GB</td>
        <td>Email and chat</td>
        <td>Unlimited</td>
        <td>$47.75</td>
      </tr>
    </tbody>
  </table>
</div>