How Do `overflow-wrap` and `word-break` Differ, and When Should I Use Each?

Understanding the Nuances: overflow-wrap vs. word-break

When dealing with long text content, web developers often grapple with the challenge of breaking lines effectively. This can become particularly crucial for extended links that need to be presented clearly. Two CSS properties that come into play here are overflow-wrap and word-break, and their differences can make a significant impact on the layout.

Overflow-wrap

Overflow-wrap specifies whether a line can be broken within a word to prevent overflow when text exceeds the width of its container. It ensures that the entire word is not cut off and displays within the designated space. By default, overflow-wrap is set to "normal," meaning lines will not break within words. Setting it to "break-word" enables line breaking within words, except for non-breaking spaces.

Word-wrap

Word-wrap, now renamed to overflow-wrap in CSS3, also addresses the issue of line breaking within words to prevent overflow. It essentially serves the same function as overflow-wrap.

Word-break

In contrast to overflow-wrap, word-break specifies how lines break within words, rather than whether they can break. It offers more control over how words are divided at line breaks. Common values include:

• "normal": No line breaking within words.
• "break-all": Line breaks occur wherever possible, even within characters.
• "keep-all": Words remain unbroken, even if they exceed the container's width.

Breaking Long Links

For breaking long links, the optimal combination is to use word-break in conjunction with overflow-wrap. Word-break specifies the breaking rules (e.g., "break-all"), while overflow-wrap (set to "break-word") allows line breaks within words. This ensures that the link remains readable and avoids truncation within a single line.

It's important to note that cross-browser compatibility plays a role in choosing the right combination. While overflow-wrap with word-wrap is generally recommended for wide support, it's worth testing in different browsers to ensure optimal presentation.

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