Is Clearfix Still Relevant in the Age of `overflow: hidden`?

Is clearfix Outdated in Modern Browsers?

The age-old problem of floated elements preventing parent containers from expanding their height has been a constant headache for web developers. Two popular methods to address this issue are clearfix and overflow: hidden.

The Case for overflow: hidden

While clearfix has been a reliable solution for many years, overflow: hidden offers a simpler approach with similar browser compatibility. According to reliable sources, overflow: hidden works effectively in all major browsers. This suggests that clearfix may not be necessary for most use cases.

Where clearfix Still Has an Edge

Despite the widespread support for overflow: hidden, there are certain scenarios where clearfix remains advantageous:

• Horizontal Overflow Control: In cases where a container needs to overflow horizontally but not vertically, overflow: hidden may not suffice. Alternative methods like clear or the clearfix class are necessary to achieve the desired effect.
• Complex Container Layouts: In rare instances, complex container layouts featuring stacked floated elements may require clearfix to ensure proper height calculation.

Conclusion

While overflow: hidden has become a widely accepted solution for handling floated elements, clearfix still holds value in specific scenarios where more precise control over container height and overflow behavior is needed. However, for the majority of use cases, overflow: hidden is a reliable and effective alternative to the traditional clearfix method.

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