CSS white-space Property

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Example

Specify that the text in paragraphs will never wrap:

p
{
white-space:nowrap;
}

Try it yourself »

Definition and Usage

The white-space property specifies how white-space inside an element is handled.

Default value: normal
Inherited: yes
Version: CSS1
JavaScript syntax: object.style.whiteSpace="pre"


Browser Support

Internet Explorer Firefox Opera Google Chrome Safari

The white-space property is supported in all major browsers.

Note: No versions of Internet Explorer (including IE8) support the property value "inherit".


Property Values

Value Description
normal Sequences of whitespace will collapse into a single whitespace. Text will wrap when necessary. This is default
nowrap Sequences of whitespace will collapse into a single whitespace. Text will never wrap to the next line. The text continues on the same line until a <br /> tag is encountered
pre Whitespace is preserved by the browser. Text will only wrap on line breaks Acts like the <pre> tag in HTML
pre-line Sequences of whitespace will collapse into a single whitespace. Text will wrap when necessary, and on line breaks
pre-wrap Whitespace is preserved by the browser. Text will wrap when necessary, and on line breaks
inherit Specifies that the value of the white-space property should be inherited from the parent element


Related Pages

CSS tutorial: CSS Text

HTML DOM reference: whiteSpace property


CSS Reference Complete CSS Reference