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

Workshops are limited to thirty seats, so everyone gets hands-on time. Sponsors meet decision-makers in a relaxed, friendly setting. Group tickets include a private meeting room for your team. Every attendee receives a certificate of participation.

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-lg p-2 bg-surface-3" style="height:100px">
      Workshops are limited to thirty seats, so everyone gets hands-on time. Sponsors meet decision-makers in a relaxed, friendly setting. Group tickets include a private meeting room for your team. Every attendee receives a certificate of participation.
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="col-6 col-md-3">
    <code>overflow-hidden</code>
    <div class="overflow-hidden border rounded-lg p-2 bg-surface-3" style="height:100px">
      Workshops are limited to thirty seats, so everyone gets hands-on time. Sponsors meet decision-makers in a relaxed, friendly setting. Group tickets include a private meeting room for your team. Every attendee receives a certificate of participation.
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="col-6 col-md-3">
    <code>overflow-visible</code>
    <div class="overflow-visible border rounded-lg p-2 bg-surface-3 mb-12" style="height:100px">
      Workshops are limited to thirty seats, so everyone gets hands-on time. Sponsors meet decision-makers in a relaxed, friendly setting. Group tickets include a private meeting room for your team. Every attendee receives a certificate of participation.
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="col-6 col-md-3">
    <code>overflow-scroll</code>
    <div class="overflow-scroll border rounded-lg p-2 bg-surface-3" style="height:100px">
      Workshops are limited to thirty seats, so everyone gets hands-on time. Sponsors meet decision-makers in a relaxed, friendly setting. Group tickets include a private meeting room for your team. Every attendee receives a certificate of participation.
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

2Horizontal scroll only

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

Networking app

Live streaming

Sponsorship

Speaker management

Ticketing

<div class="flex flex-nowrap gap-2 overflow-x-auto pb-2">
  <div class="border rounded-lg p-4 shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="font-semibold small">
      Networking app
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-lg p-4 shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="font-semibold small">
      Live streaming
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-lg p-4 shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="font-semibold small">
      Sponsorship
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-lg p-4 shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="font-semibold small">
      Speaker management
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-lg p-4 shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="font-semibold small">
      Ticketing
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

3Vertical scroll only

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

Liam Hughes
Nora Morgan
Theo Kowalski
Aria Ashford
Samir Larsen
Mia Silva

<ul class="list-unstyled border rounded-lg overflow-y-auto mb-0" style="max-height:150px">
  <li class="px-4 py-2 border-b">Liam Hughes</li>
  <li class="px-4 py-2 border-b">Nora Morgan</li>
  <li class="px-4 py-2 border-b">Theo Kowalski</li>
  <li class="px-4 py-2 border-b">Aria Ashford</li>
  <li class="px-4 py-2 border-b">Samir Larsen</li>
  <li class="px-4 py-2">Mia Silva</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-xl">
      <img src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1773828755374-0ee802d9f44b?auto=format&fit=crop&w=1200&h=800&q=70" alt="Not clipped" class="w-full block">
      <div class="p-2 small">
        without
      </div>
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="col-6">
    <div class="border rounded-xl 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-full 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-2525	Isla Kim	Austin	Jul 26, 2026	Pending	$726.30
#INV-1880	Luna Ortega	Montreal	Oct 23, 2025	Pending	$336.66

<div class="overflow-x-auto border rounded-lg">
  <table class="table table-sm mb-0 whitespace-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-2525</td>
        <td>Isla Kim</td>
        <td>Austin</td>
        <td>Jul 26, 2026</td>
        <td>Pending</td>
        <td>$726.30</td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>#INV-1880</td>
        <td>Luna Ortega</td>
        <td>Montreal</td>
        <td>Oct 23, 2025</td>
        <td>Pending</td>
        <td>$336.66</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/zeni-studio --base ./ --sourcemap false --emptyOutDir

<pre class="overflow-x-auto bg-surface-3 border rounded-lg p-4 small mb-0"><code>npm run build -- --mode production --out-dir dist/zeni-studio --base ./ --sourcemap false --emptyOutDir</code></pre>

7Chat window

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

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

Our evening party is the best place to turn talks into friendships.

Early bird tickets save you up to forty percent until the end of the month.

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

<div class="border rounded-xl flex flex-col" style="height:220px;max-width:22rem">
  <div class="overflow-y-auto p-4 flex flex-col gap-2 grow">
    <div class="self-start bg-surface-3 rounded-lg px-2 py-1 small">
      Our team has done this many times, so you never have to guess.
    </div>
    <div class="self-end text-bg-primary rounded-lg px-2 py-1 small">
      Our evening party is the best place to turn talks into friendships.
    </div>
    <div class="self-start bg-surface-3 rounded-lg px-2 py-1 small">
      Early bird tickets save you up to forty percent until the end of the month.
    </div>
    <div class="self-end text-bg-primary rounded-lg px-2 py-1 small">
      We measure success by how many attendees come back and tell their friends.
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border-t p-2">
    <label class="sr-only" 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="flex flex-nowrap gap-2 overflow-x-auto pb-1" aria-label="Categories">
  <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-primary rounded-full whitespace-nowrap">All</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-full whitespace-nowrap">Meetup</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-full whitespace-nowrap">case study</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-full whitespace-nowrap">Webinar</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-full whitespace-nowrap">news</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-full whitespace-nowrap">idea</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-full whitespace-nowrap">fast</a> 
</nav>

9Terms box

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

Terms of use

The venue is a short walk from the station and fully accessible. We keep things simple, so you can focus on what matters to you. The venue is a short walk from the station and fully accessible.

Friendly people answer your questions quickly, by phone, chat or email. More than eighty speakers share what they have learned the hard way. The networking app helps you meet the right people before you arrive. Early bird tickets save you up to forty percent until the end of the month.

Every session is recorded, so you can catch up on anything you missed. We listen first, then build a plan around what you actually need. We measure success by how many attendees come back and tell their friends.

<div class="border rounded-lg p-4 overflow-auto small bg-surface-3" style="height:130px">
  <h3 class="h6">Terms of use</h3>
  <p>The venue is a short walk from the station and fully accessible. We keep things simple, so you can focus on what matters to you. The venue is a short walk from the station and fully accessible.</p>
  <p>Friendly people answer your questions quickly, by phone, chat or email. More than eighty speakers share what they have learned the hard way. The networking app helps you meet the right people before you arrive. Early bird tickets save you up to forty percent until the end of the month.</p>
  <p class="mb-0">Every session is recorded, so you can catch up on anything you missed. We listen first, then build a plan around what you actually need. We measure success by how many attendees come back and tell their friends.</p>
</div>

10Visible overflow for a badge

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

overflow-hidden6

overflow-visible1

<div class="flex gap-6 pt-2">
  <div class="relative overflow-hidden border rounded-lg p-4 small">
    overflow-hidden<span class="absolute top-0 start-full -translate-x-1/2 -translate-y-1/2 badge rounded-full text-bg-danger">6</span>
  </div>
  <div class="relative overflow-visible border rounded-lg p-4 small">
    overflow-visible<span class="absolute top-0 start-full -translate-x-1/2 -translate-y-1/2 badge rounded-full text-bg-danger">1</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 - Group tickets include a private meeting room for your team.

Jul 19, 2026

<div class="border rounded-lg p-4" style="max-width:20rem">
  <div class="overflow-hidden font-semibold leading-tight" style="height:2.5em">
    Talks, workshops and new friendships - Group tickets include a private meeting room for your team.
  </div>
  <div class="small text-muted mt-1">
    Jul 19, 2026
  </div>
</div>

12Sidebar that scrolls separately

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

Workshops are limited to thirty seats, so everyone gets hands-on time. Our evening party is the best place to turn talks into friendships.

<div class="flex border rounded-lg" style="height:180px">
  <nav class="overflow-y-auto border-e p-2 small shrink-0" style="width:130px" aria-label="Chapters">
    <a href="#" class="block py-1">Intro</a><a href="#" class="block py-1">Setup</a><a href="#" class="block py-1">Layout</a> <a href="#" class="block py-1">Colours</a><a href="#" class="block py-1">Forms</a><a href="#" class="block py-1">Tables</a> <a href="#" class="block py-1">Charts</a><a href="#" class="block py-1">Deploy</a> 
  </nav>
  <div class="p-4 small">
    Workshops are limited to thirty seats, so everyone gets hands-on time. Our evening party is the best place to turn talks into friendships.
  </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-lg" 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="How to choose the right ticket" width="900" height="394" class="block"> 
</div>

14Kanban columns

Columns side by side in overflow-x-auto, each column scrolls with overflow-y-auto.

To do

Sponsorship

Ticketing

Doing

Ticketing

Done

Ticketing

<div class="flex gap-2 overflow-x-auto pb-1">
  <div class="bg-surface-3 rounded-lg p-2 shrink-0 overflow-y-auto" style="width:170px;max-height:180px">
    <div class="small font-semibold mb-2">
      To do
    </div>
    <div class="bg-page border rounded-md p-2 small mb-2">
      Sponsorship
    </div>
    <div class="bg-page border rounded-md p-2 small mb-2">
      Sponsorship
    </div>
    <div class="bg-page border rounded-md p-2 small">
      Ticketing
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="bg-surface-3 rounded-lg p-2 shrink-0 overflow-y-auto" style="width:170px;max-height:180px">
    <div class="small font-semibold mb-2">
      Doing
    </div>
    <div class="bg-page border rounded-md p-2 small">
      Ticketing
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="bg-surface-3 rounded-lg p-2 shrink-0 overflow-y-auto" style="width:170px;max-height:180px">
    <div class="small font-semibold mb-2">
      Done
    </div>
    <div class="bg-page border rounded-md p-2 small">
      Ticketing
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

15Overflow-x hidden

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

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

Panel partly off the edge

<div class="relative overflow-x-hidden border rounded-lg p-4" style="height:110px">
  <div class="small">
    Thousands of attendees already trust us, and we work hard to keep it that way.
  </div>
  <div class="absolute top-0 bg-primary-subtle h-full 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.

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

<div class="overflow-y-scroll border rounded-lg p-2 small" style="height:90px">
  Start in minutes and get help from a real person whenever you need it.
</div>

17Notification panel

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

Notifications

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

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

Every attendee receives a certificate of participation.

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

View all

<div class="border rounded-lg shadow-sm flex flex-col" style="max-width:20rem;height:220px">
  <div class="px-4 py-2 border-b font-semibold small">
    Notifications
  </div>
  <div class="overflow-y-auto grow">
    <div class="px-4 py-2 border-b small">
      Clear prices, honest advice and no surprises along the way.
    </div>
    <div class="px-4 py-2 border-b small">
      We keep things simple, so you can focus on what matters to you.
    </div>
    <div class="px-4 py-2 border-b small">
      Every attendee receives a certificate of participation.
    </div>
    <div class="px-4 py-2 small">
      Every detail is handled by people who care about getting it right.
    </div>
  </div>
  <a href="#" class="px-4 py-2 border-t small text-center">View all</a> 
</div>

18Clip a decorative shape

A big circle partly outside its panel is cut off by overflow-hidden.

Be in the room where it happens

Sponsors meet decision-makers in a relaxed, friendly setting.

<div class="relative overflow-hidden text-bg-primary rounded-xl p-6">
  <div class="absolute bg-white/25 rounded-full" style="width:180px;height:180px;right:-60px;top:-60px">
  </div>
  <h3 class="h5 relative">Be in the room where it happens</h3>
  <p class="small mb-0 relative">Sponsors meet decision-makers in a relaxed, friendly setting.</p>
</div>

19Long word handling

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

downloads/zeni-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-lg p-2 truncate">
      downloads/zeni-studio/assets/very-long-file-name-without-any-spaces-at-all.zip
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="col-sm-6">
    <div class="border rounded-lg p-2 break-words">
      downloads/zeni-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	39	156 GB	Email and chat	Unlimited	$28.84

<div class="table-responsive border rounded-lg">
  <table class="table table-sm mb-0 whitespace-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>39</td>
        <td>156 GB</td>
        <td>Email and chat</td>
        <td>Unlimited</td>
        <td>$28.84</td>
      </tr>
    </tbody>
  </table>
</div>