page-break-before

This property has been replaced by the break-before property.

The page-break-before CSS property adjusts page breaks before the current element.

This property applies to block elements that generate a box. It won't apply on an empty <div> that won't generate a box.

/* Keyword values */
page-break-before: auto;
page-break-before: always;
page-break-before: avoid;
page-break-before: left;
page-break-before: right;
page-break-before: recto;
page-break-before: verso;

/* Global values */
page-break-before: inherit;
page-break-before: initial;
page-break-before: unset;

Syntax

Values

auto
Initial value. Automatic page breaks (neither forced nor forbidden).
always
Always force page breaks before the element.
avoid
Avoid page breaks before the element.
left
Force page breaks before the element so that the next page is formatted as a left page.
right
Force page breaks before the element so that the next page is formatted as a right page.
recto
If pages progress left-to-right, then this acts like right. If pages progress right-to-left, then this acts like left.
verso
If pages progress left-to-right, then this acts like left. If pages progress right-to-left, then this acts like right.

Page break aliases

The page-break-before property is now a legacy property, replaced by break-before.

For compatibility reasons, page-break-before should be treated by browsers as an alias of break-before. This ensures that sites using page-break-before continue to work as designed. A subset of values should be aliased as follows:

page-break-before break-before
auto auto
left left
right right
avoid avoid
always page

Formal definition

Initial valueauto
Applies toblock-level elements in the normal flow of the root element. User agents may also apply it to other elements like table-row elements.
Inheritedno
Computed valueas specified
Animation typediscrete

Formal syntax

auto | always | avoid | left | right | recto | verso

Examples

Avoid a page break before the dic

/* avoid page break before the div */
div.note {
    page-break-before: avoid;
}

Specifications

Specification Status Comment
CSS Logical Properties and Values Level 1
The definition of 'recto and verso' in that specification.
Editor's Draft Adds the values recto and verso.
CSS Paged Media Module Level 3
The definition of 'page-break-before' in that specification.
Working Draft Extends the element that this property applies to table rows and table row groups.
CSS Level 2 (Revision 1)
The definition of 'page-break-before' in that specification.
Recommendation Initial definition

Browser compatibility

DesktopMobile
ChromeEdgeFirefoxInternet ExplorerOperaSafariAndroid webviewChrome for AndroidFirefox for AndroidOpera for AndroidSafari on iOSSamsung Internet
page-break-beforeChrome Full support 1Edge Full support 12Firefox Full support 1
Notes
Full support 1
Notes
Notes The values avoid, left, and right are unsupported.
IE Full support 4Opera Full support 7Safari Full support 1.2WebView Android Full support 37Chrome Android Full support 18Firefox Android Full support 4
Notes
Full support 4
Notes
Notes The values avoid, left, and right are unsupported.
Opera Android Full support 14Safari iOS Full support 1Samsung Internet Android Full support 1.0

Legend

Full support
Full support
See implementation notes.
See implementation notes.

See also