`word-break: break-all` vs. `overflow-wrap: break-word`: When Should I Use Which?

Understanding the Differences between "word-break: break-all" and "word-wrap: break-word" in CSS

In CSS, word-break: break-all and word-wrap: break-word both aim to break words that exceed the specified container width. However, they exhibit distinct characteristics in how they handle word breakage.

word-wrap: break-word (now overflow-wrap: break-word)

• Wraps long words onto the next line.
• Maintains the integrity of words, keeping them intact within lines.

word-break: break-all

• Breaks words at the container edge, regardless of whether it's a continuous word or multiple words.
• Breaks within characters of the same word if necessary to fit within the width.

W3C's Rationale

The two properties were introduced for specific scenarios:

• word-wrap: break-word: Suitable when you have fixed-width spans with dynamic content. It prevents word breakage in the middle of continuous words, maintaining readability.
• word-break: break-all: Useful when you don't care about maintaining word integrity. It focuses solely on keeping the text within the specified container width, even at the cost of breaking continuous words.

Practical Considerations

Ultimately, the choice between these properties depends on the desired outcome. If you want to preserve word integrity and avoid mid-word breakage, use word-wrap: break-word. If word integrity is not a concern, either property can be used effectively.

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