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. We keep things simple, so you can focus on what matters to you. Start free, upgrade when you grow and cancel any time with one click. Teams report saving around five hours a week after the first month.

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. We keep things simple, so you can focus on what matters to you. Start free, upgrade when you grow and cancel any time with one click. Teams report saving around five hours a week after the first month.
    </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. We keep things simple, so you can focus on what matters to you. Start free, upgrade when you grow and cancel any time with one click. Teams report saving around five hours a week after the first month.
    </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. We keep things simple, so you can focus on what matters to you. Start free, upgrade when you grow and cancel any time with one click. Teams report saving around five hours a week after the first month.
    </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. We keep things simple, so you can focus on what matters to you. Start free, upgrade when you grow and cancel any time with one click. Teams report saving around five hours a week after the first month.
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

2Horizontal scroll only

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

Single sign-on

Team analytics

Workflow automation

API integrations

<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">
      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">
      Workflow automation
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="fw-semibold small">
      API integrations
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

3Vertical scroll only

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

Kai Lindqvist
Samir Fischer
Jonah Tanaka
Mia Larsen
Finn Quinn
Freya Whitaker

<ul class="list-unstyled border rounded-3 overflow-y-auto mb-0" style="max-height:150px">
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Kai Lindqvist</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Samir Fischer</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Jonah Tanaka</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Mia Larsen</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Finn Quinn</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2">Freya Whitaker</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="../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
#ORD-2547	Theo Delgado	Vancouver	Jul 15, 2026	Overdue	$887.78
#INV-2084	Lea Brennan	Seoul	Oct 4, 2026	Cancelled	$643.13

<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>#ORD-2547</td>
        <td>Theo Delgado</td>
        <td>Vancouver</td>
        <td>Jul 15, 2026</td>
        <td>Overdue</td>
        <td>$887.78</td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>#INV-2084</td>
        <td>Lea Brennan</td>
        <td>Seoul</td>
        <td>Oct 4, 2026</td>
        <td>Cancelled</td>
        <td>$643.13</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/yaraen-craft --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/yaraen-craft --base ./ --sourcemap false --emptyOutDir</code></pre>

7Chat window

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

Automations take care of the repetitive steps, so people can focus on real work.

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

Onboarding guides and live chat help new colleagues get going on day one.

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

<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">
      Our team has done this many times, so you never have to guess.
    </div>
    <div class="align-self-start bg-body-tertiary rounded-3 px-2 py-1 small">
      Onboarding guides and live chat help new colleagues get going on day one.
    </div>
    <div class="align-self-end text-bg-primary rounded-3 px-2 py-1 small">
      We listen first, then build a plan around what you actually need.
    </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">Sales</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-pill text-nowrap">news</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">design</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-pill text-nowrap">project</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-pill text-nowrap">secure</a> 
</nav>

9Terms box

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

Terms of use

Set up in an afternoon, connect the tools you use and invite your team. We measure success by how many customers come back and tell their friends. Plan projects, track progress and share updates without another status meeting. Real-time dashboards show what is on track and what needs attention.

Clear prices, honest advice and no surprises along the way. Our open API and ready-made integrations fit into the stack you already have. Start in minutes and get help from a real person whenever you need it.

Every update lands in one place, so nothing gets lost in email threads. Clear prices, honest advice and no surprises along the way. Every detail is handled by people who care about getting it right. Your data is encrypted, backed up daily and hosted in the region you choose.

<div class="border rounded-3 p-3 overflow-auto small bg-body-tertiary" style="height:130px">
  <h3 class="h6">Terms of use</h3>
  <p>Set up in an afternoon, connect the tools you use and invite your team. We measure success by how many customers come back and tell their friends. Plan projects, track progress and share updates without another status meeting. Real-time dashboards show what is on track and what needs attention.</p>
  <p>Clear prices, honest advice and no surprises along the way. Our open API and ready-made integrations fit into the stack you already have. Start in minutes and get help from a real person whenever you need it.</p>
  <p class="mb-0">Every update lands in one place, so nothing gets lost in email threads. Clear prices, honest advice and no surprises along the way. Every detail is handled by people who care about getting it right. Your data is encrypted, backed up daily and hosted in the region you choose.</p>
</div>

10Visible overflow for a badge

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

overflow-hidden5

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">5</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.

Work that moves itself forward - Our open API and ready-made integrations fit into the stack you already have.

Jan 22, 2026

<div class="border rounded-3 p-3" style="max-width:20rem">
  <div class="overflow-hidden fw-semibold lh-sm" style="height:2.5em">
    Work that moves itself forward - Our open API and ready-made integrations fit into the stack you already have.
  </div>
  <div class="small text-body-secondary mt-1">
    Jan 22, 2026
  </div>
</div>

12Sidebar that scrolls separately

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

Clear reports turn weekly numbers into decisions in minutes, not days. We measure success by how many customers come back and tell their friends.

<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. We measure success by how many customers come back and tell their friends.
  </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-1690264459911-6d68c747d8a7?auto=format&fit=crop&w=1600&h=700&q=70" alt="A beginner&#39;s guide to getting started" 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

API integrations

Team analytics

Workflow automation

Doing

Secure file sharing

Done

Team analytics

<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">
      API integrations
    </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">
      Workflow automation
    </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">
      Secure file sharing
    </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">
      Team analytics
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

15Overflow-x hidden

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

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

Panel partly off the edge

<div class="position-relative overflow-x-hidden border rounded-3 p-3" style="height:110px">
  <div class="small">
    We listen first, then build a plan around what you actually need.
  </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.

Real-time dashboards show what is on track and what needs attention.

<div class="overflow-y-scroll border rounded-3 p-2 small" style="height:90px">
  Real-time dashboards show what is on track and what needs attention.
</div>

17Notification panel

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

Notifications

Teams report saving around five hours a week after the first month.

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

Automations take care of the repetitive steps, so people can focus on real work.

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

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">
      Teams report saving around five hours a week after the first month.
    </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 border-bottom small">
      Automations take care of the repetitive steps, so people can focus on real work.
    </div>
    <div class="px-3 py-2 small">
      Friendly people answer your questions quickly, by phone, chat or email.
    </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.

The workspace your team will actually love

Onboarding guides and live chat help new colleagues get going on day one.

<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">The workspace your team will actually love</h3>
  <p class="small mb-0 position-relative">Onboarding guides and live chat help new colleagues get going on day one.</p>
</div>

19Long word handling

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

downloads/yaraen-craft/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/yaraen-craft/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/yaraen-craft/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	22	315 GB	Email and chat	Unlimited	$22.40

<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>22</td>
        <td>315 GB</td>
        <td>Email and chat</td>
        <td>Unlimited</td>
        <td>$22.40</td>
      </tr>
    </tbody>
  </table>
</div>