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 30-day returns makes time back in your day for teams of every size. The new sustainable materials makes complex tasks into simple steps from the very first day. A simple workflow keeps every detail in view from the very first day. This honest plan makes customers coming back at a fair price.

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 30-day returns makes time back in your day for teams of every size. The new sustainable materials makes complex tasks into simple steps from the very first day. A simple workflow keeps every detail in view from the very first day. This honest plan makes customers coming back at a fair price.
    </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 30-day returns makes time back in your day for teams of every size. The new sustainable materials makes complex tasks into simple steps from the very first day. A simple workflow keeps every detail in view from the very first day. This honest plan makes customers coming back at a fair price.
    </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 30-day returns makes time back in your day for teams of every size. The new sustainable materials makes complex tasks into simple steps from the very first day. A simple workflow keeps every detail in view from the very first day. This honest plan makes customers coming back at a fair price.
    </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 30-day returns makes time back in your day for teams of every size. The new sustainable materials makes complex tasks into simple steps from the very first day. A simple workflow keeps every detail in view from the very first day. This honest plan makes customers coming back at a fair price.
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

2Horizontal scroll only

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

Gift wrapping

Live order tracking

Gift wrapping

Loyalty rewards

Live order tracking

<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">
      Gift wrapping
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="fw-semibold small">
      Live order tracking
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="fw-semibold small">
      Gift wrapping
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="fw-semibold small">
      Loyalty rewards
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-3 p-3 flex-shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="fw-semibold small">
      Live order tracking
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

3Vertical scroll only

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

Aria Patel
Felix Moreau
Liam Varga
Mia Silva
Noah Morgan
Samir 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">Aria Patel</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Felix Moreau</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Liam Varga</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Mia Silva</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom">Noah Morgan</li>
  <li class="px-3 py-2">Samir 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="../assets/img/photo-2.svg" 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-5209	Ruby Ortega	Barcelona	Jul 18, 2026	Pending	$494.20
#TX-5399	Elena Whitaker	Auckland	Nov 28, 2025	Completed	$830.51

<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-5209</td>
        <td>Ruby Ortega</td>
        <td>Barcelona</td>
        <td>Jul 18, 2026</td>
        <td>Pending</td>
        <td>$494.20</td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>#TX-5399</td>
        <td>Elena Whitaker</td>
        <td>Auckland</td>
        <td>Nov 28, 2025</td>
        <td>Completed</td>
        <td>$830.51</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/brand-name-17 --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/brand-name-17 --base ./ --sourcemap false --emptyOutDir</code></pre>

7Chat window

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

This flexible update lets time back in your day for teams of every size.

The new member prices turns results you can measure without the usual hassle.

A flexible process makes every detail in view all year round.

This flexible plan gives data easy to understand with friendly support.

<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">
      This flexible update lets time back in your day for teams of every size.
    </div>
    <div class="align-self-end text-bg-primary rounded-3 px-2 py-1 small">
      The new member prices turns results you can measure without the usual hassle.
    </div>
    <div class="align-self-start bg-body-tertiary rounded-3 px-2 py-1 small">
      A flexible process makes every detail in view all year round.
    </div>
    <div class="align-self-end text-bg-primary rounded-3 px-2 py-1 small">
      This flexible plan gives data easy to understand with friendly support.
    </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">Accessories</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-pill text-nowrap">tips</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-pill text-nowrap">Beauty</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">goal</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

This modern experience lets results you can measure with friendly support. Our free shipping turns complex tasks into simple steps from the very first day. The new sustainable materials turns data easy to understand all year round.

The new easy exchanges connects data easy to understand in just a few clicks. Our loyalty rewards helps every detail in view in just a few clicks. A bright process guides you focused on what matters without the usual hassle. This smart release keeps time back in your day without the usual hassle.

This flexible routine keeps new ideas to life at a fair price. The new sustainable materials shows time back in your day for teams of every size. A friendly community guides results you can measure at a fair price. This focused update helps decisions quicker and clearer on any device.

<div class="border rounded-3 p-3 overflow-auto small bg-body-tertiary" style="height:130px">
  <h3 class="h6">Terms of use</h3>
  <p>This modern experience lets results you can measure with friendly support. Our free shipping turns complex tasks into simple steps from the very first day. The new sustainable materials turns data easy to understand all year round.</p>
  <p>The new easy exchanges connects data easy to understand in just a few clicks. Our loyalty rewards helps every detail in view in just a few clicks. A bright process guides you focused on what matters without the usual hassle. This smart release keeps time back in your day without the usual hassle.</p>
  <p class="mb-0">This flexible routine keeps new ideas to life at a fair price. The new sustainable materials shows time back in your day for teams of every size. A friendly community guides results you can measure at a fair price. This focused update helps decisions quicker and clearer on any device.</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-visible3

<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">3</span>
  </div>
</div>

11Hidden overflow for a cropped title

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

Everyday essentials, beautifully made - Our secure checkout connects data easy to understand all year round.

Aug 24, 2026

<div class="border rounded-3 p-3" style="max-width:20rem">
  <div class="overflow-hidden fw-semibold lh-sm" style="height:2.5em">
    Everyday essentials, beautifully made - Our secure checkout connects data easy to understand all year round.
  </div>
  <div class="small text-body-secondary mt-1">
    Aug 24, 2026
  </div>
</div>

12Sidebar that scrolls separately

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

Our live order tracking turns decisions quicker and clearer without extra tools. Our free shipping brings new ideas to life for teams of every size.

<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 live order tracking turns decisions quicker and clearer without extra tools. Our free shipping brings new ideas to life for teams of every size.
  </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="../assets/img/wide-5.svg" alt="How we rebuilt our plan" 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

Loyalty rewards

Secure checkout

30-day returns

Doing

Gift wrapping

Done

Loyalty rewards

<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">
      Loyalty rewards
    </div>
    <div class="bg-body border rounded-2 p-2 small mb-2">
      Secure checkout
    </div>
    <div class="bg-body border rounded-2 p-2 small">
      30-day returns
    </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">
      Gift wrapping
    </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">
      Loyalty rewards
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

15Overflow-x hidden

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

The new member prices gives customers coming back without the usual hassle.

Panel partly off the edge

<div class="position-relative overflow-x-hidden border rounded-3 p-3" style="height:110px">
  <div class="small">
    The new member prices gives customers coming back without the usual hassle.
  </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.

Our 30-day returns brings you focused on what matters without the usual hassle.

<div class="overflow-y-scroll border rounded-3 p-2 small" style="height:90px">
  Our 30-day returns brings you focused on what matters without the usual hassle.
</div>

17Notification panel

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

Notifications

This elegant launch turns every detail in view at a fair price.

Our 30-day returns lets you focused on what matters all year round.

This powerful update helps every detail in view at a fair price.

The new easy exchanges turns results you can measure in just a few clicks.

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">
      This elegant launch turns every detail in view at a fair price.
    </div>
    <div class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom small">
      Our 30-day returns lets you focused on what matters all year round.
    </div>
    <div class="px-3 py-2 border-bottom small">
      This powerful update helps every detail in view at a fair price.
    </div>
    <div class="px-3 py-2 small">
      The new easy exchanges turns results you can measure in just a few clicks.
    </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.

Shop the collection everyone talks about

This elegant community makes the whole team on the same page for teams of every size.

<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">Shop the collection everyone talks about</h3>
  <p class="small mb-0 position-relative">This elegant community makes the whole team on the same page for teams of every size.</p>
</div>

19Long word handling

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

downloads/brand-name-17/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/brand-name-17/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/brand-name-17/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	32	292 GB	Email and chat	Unlimited	$67.84

<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>32</td>
        <td>292 GB</td>
        <td>Email and chat</td>
        <td>Unlimited</td>
        <td>$67.84</td>
      </tr>
    </tbody>
  </table>
</div>