word-break

The word-break CSS property sets whether line breaks appear wherever the text would otherwise overflow its content box.

Syntax

/* Keyword values */
word-break: normal;
word-break: break-all;
word-break: keep-all;
word-break: break-word; /* deprecated */

/* Global values */
word-break: inherit;
word-break: initial;
word-break: unset;

The word-break property is specified as a single keyword chosen from the list of values below.

Values

normal
Use the default line break rule.
break-all
To prevent overflow, word breaks should be inserted between any two characters (excluding Chinese/Japanese/Korean text).
keep-all
Word breaks should not be used for Chinese/Japanese/Korean (CJK) text. Non-CJK text behavior is the same as for normal.
break-word
Has the same effect as word-break: normal and overflow-wrap: anywhere, regardless of the actual value of the overflow-wrap property.

Note: In contrast to word-break: break-word and overflow-wrap: break-word (see overflow-wrap), word-break: break-all will create a break at the exact place where text would otherwise overflow its container (even if putting an entire word on its own line would negate the need for a break).

Formal definition

Initial valuenormal
Applies toall elements
Inheritedyes
Computed valueas specified
Animation typediscrete

Formal syntax

normal | break-all | keep-all | break-word

Examples

HTML

<p>1. <code>word-break: normal</code></p>
<p class="normal narrow">This is a long and
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<p>2. <code>word-break: break-all</code></p>
<p class="breakAll narrow">This is a long and
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 γ‚°γƒ¬γƒΌγƒˆγƒ–γƒͺγƒ†γƒ³γŠγ‚ˆγ³εŒ—γ‚’γ‚€γƒ«γƒ©γƒ³γƒ‰ι€£εˆηŽ‹ε›½γ¨γ„γ†θ¨€θ‘‰γ―ζœ¬ε½“γ«ι•·γ„θ¨€θ‘‰</p>

<p>3. <code>word-break: keep-all</code></p>
<p class="keepAll narrow">This is a long and
 Honorificabilitudinitatibus califragilisticexpialidocious Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimaungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu
 γ‚°γƒ¬γƒΌγƒˆγƒ–γƒͺγƒ†γƒ³γŠγ‚ˆγ³εŒ—γ‚’γ‚€γƒ«γƒ©γƒ³γƒ‰ι€£εˆηŽ‹ε›½γ¨γ„γ†θ¨€θ‘‰γ―ζœ¬ε½“γ«ι•·γ„θ¨€θ‘‰</p>

<p>4. <code>word-break: break-word</code></p>
<p class="breakWord narrow">This is a long and
  Honorificabilitudinitatibus califragilisticexpialidocious Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimaungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu
 γ‚°γƒ¬γƒΌγƒˆγƒ–γƒͺγƒ†γƒ³γŠγ‚ˆγ³εŒ—γ‚’γ‚€γƒ«γƒ©γƒ³γƒ‰ι€£εˆηŽ‹ε›½γ¨γ„γ†θ¨€θ‘‰γ―ζœ¬ε½“γ«ι•·γ„θ¨€θ‘‰</p>

CSS

.narrow {
  padding: 10px;
  border: 1px solid;
  width: 500px;
  margin: 0 auto;
  font-size: 20px;
  line-height: 1.5;
  letter-spacing: 1px;
}

.normal {
  word-break: normal;
}

.breakAll {
  word-break: break-all;
}

.keepAll {
  word-break: keep-all;
}

.breakWord {
  word-break: break-word;
}

Specifications

Specification Status Comment
CSS Text Module Level 3
The definition of 'word-break' in that specification.
Working Draft Initial definition

Browser compatibility

DesktopMobile
ChromeEdgeFirefoxInternet ExplorerOperaSafariAndroid webviewChrome for AndroidFirefox for AndroidOpera for AndroidSafari on iOSSamsung Internet
word-breakChrome Full support 1Edge Full support 12Firefox Full support 15IE Full support 5.5
Notes
Full support 5.5
Notes
Notes No version of Internet Explorer supports the initial value.
Full support 8
Prefixed Notes
Prefixed Implemented with the vendor prefix: -ms-
Notes Don't use -ms-word-break, which is a synonym for word-break.
Opera Full support 15Safari Full support 3WebView Android Full support ≀37Chrome Android Full support 18Firefox Android Full support 15Opera Android Full support 14Safari iOS Full support 2Samsung Internet Android Full support 1.0
break-wordChrome Full support 1Edge Full support 79Firefox Full support 67IE No support NoOpera Full support 15Safari Full support 3WebView Android Full support ≀37Chrome Android Full support 18Firefox Android Full support 67Opera Android Full support 14Safari iOS Full support 2Samsung Internet Android Full support 1.0
keep-allChrome Full support 44Edge Full support 12Firefox Full support 15IE Full support 5.5Opera Full support 31Safari Full support 9WebView Android Full support 44Chrome Android Full support 44Firefox Android Full support 15Opera Android Full support 32Safari iOS Full support 9Samsung Internet Android Full support 4.0

Legend

Full support
Full support
No support
No support
See implementation notes.
See implementation notes.
Requires a vendor prefix or different name for use.
Requires a vendor prefix or different name for use.

See also