line-break

This is an experimental technology
Because this technology's specification has not stabilized, check the compatibility table for usage in various browsers. Also note that the syntax and behavior of an experimental technology is subject to change in future versions of browsers as the specification changes.

Summary

The line-break CSS property is used to specify how (or if) to break lines.

Initial valueauto
Applies toall elements
Inheritedno
Mediavisual
Computed valueas specified
Animatableno
Canonical orderthe unique non-ambiguous order defined by the formal grammar

Syntax

/* Keyword values */
line-break: auto;
line-break: loose;
line-break: normal;
line-break: strict;

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

Values

auto
break text using  the default line break rule.
loose
break text using the line break rule that the line is shorter like a newspaper.
normal
break text using the common line break rule.
strict
break text using the stringent line break rule.

Formal syntax

auto | loose | normal | strict

Specifications

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

Browser compatibility

Feature Chrome Firefox (Gecko) Internet Explorer Opera Safari
Basic support 1.0 No support[1] 5.5[2] (Yes) (Yes)
Feature Android Chrome for Android Firefox Mobile (Gecko) IE Mobile Opera Mobile Safari Mobile
Basic support (Yes) 18.0 No support[1] ? ? (Yes)

[1] Gecko does not implement this feature yet. See bug 1011369.

[2] Internet Explorer 8 introduced -ms-line-break as a synonym for line-break. Don't use the -ms- prefix.

Document Tags and Contributors

 Contributors to this page: Siilwyn, Sebastianz, fscholz, ishita, mkato, teoli
 Last updated by: Siilwyn,