How to word wrap text in HTML?

html

responsive-design

css-properties

text-wrapping

byNikita Barsukov·Sep 21, 2024

To wrap text and prevent overflow in HTML elements, employ white-space: normal; and overflow-wrap: break-word;. Also, by integrating word-break: break-all;, you can ensure breaks between any characters. Refer to the example provided below:

<div style="white-space: normal; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-all;">
  This long long long text will wrap and break, just as expected!
</div>

Tackling unwieldy URLs and file paths

When faced with long uninterrupted strings like URLs or file paths, normal text wrapping rules might not apply. These might not contain spaces, making them challenging to wrap. The property word-break: break-all; comes in handy in these situations, ensuring these strings break at the right points and do not create layout issues. However, be sure to note that such broken strings may not be aesthetically pleasing or easy to read.

The soft touch: soft hyphens and zero-width spaces

For a more controlled wrapping experience, especially for hyphenated texts, consider adding soft hyphens () in your HTML or  for non-standard zero-width spaces. They serve as effective hints for browsers to break lines at more aesthetically pleasing points. Basically, they whisper to the browser, "Psst, break here!"

Asian languages: a unique wrapping approach

Textual wrapping in Asian languages demands a different approach. To avoid breaking words in the middle, which could disrupt the flow and meaning, using word-break: keep-all; respects the linguistic norms of these languages. So, when dealing with multiple languages, remember each one has its unique wrapping needs and right CSS rules can increase readability and overall user experience.

Server-end text wrapping magic

In certain instances, it may be beneficial to apply text wrapping from the server-side. Languages like PHP can weave magic to dynamically insert text wrapping hints at ideal break points before the content reaches the browser. This is especially useful for data-driven texts and can help to maintain consistency in display across different user environments.

Checking compatibility and design considerations

While cooking up your layout design, optimizing for text wrapping is crucial to ensure accessibility and user engagement. Different screen sizes and devices can transform how text wraps, demanding your design to be responsive and flexible. Moreover, regularly testing your website across various browsers and platforms to ensure compatibility can evade unwanted surprises.

Mixing CSS properties for the right blend

Often a single CSS property falls short to handle all scenarios. A combination of white-space, overflow-wrap, and word-break can yield the desired effect. Using each property's peculiarities allows a granular control over text display, maintaining the clarity and comprehensibility of your content.