HTML <wbr> Tag

The HTML <wbr> (Word Break Opportunity) tag is used to specify where the browser can optionally break a line of text. This tag does not render any visible content but helps improve text formatting by suggesting potential breakpoints for long strings of text or URLs.

The <wbr> tag is particularly useful for preventing overflow issues in elements with limited width while ensuring a clean and readable layout.

Basic Syntax of HTML <wbr> Tag

The <wbr> tag is self-closing and can be placed within a long word or string where a line break is desired:

</>
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<p>ThisIsA<wbr>VeryLongWord</p>

In this example, the browser will break the text at the <wbr> tag if necessary.

Example of Using the <wbr> Tag

Here’s an example where the <wbr> tag is used to prevent text overflow:

index.html

</>
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<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
    <head>
        <style>
            .container {
                width: 200px;
                border: 1px solid #ddd;
                word-wrap: break-word;
            }
        </style>
    </head>
    <body>
        <h2>Using <wbr> to Break Long Words</h2>

        <div class="container">
            ThisIsA<wbr>VeryLongWordThatDoesNotFitInTheBox.
        </div>
    </body>
</html>
Example of Using the <wbr> Tag

Explanation: If the text exceeds the container’s width, the browser will break the line at the <wbr> tag, ensuring it fits within the container.

Attributes of HTML <wbr> Tag

The <wbr> tag does not support any specific attributes. However, global attributes like id, class, and style can be used with it.

Styling Long Words with CSS and <wbr>

In addition to using the <wbr> tag, CSS can help handle long words:

</>
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<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
    <head>
        <style>
            .container {
                width: 200px;
                border: 1px solid #ddd;
                word-wrap: break-word;
            }
            .highlight {
                color: blue;
                font-weight: bold;
            }
        </style>
    </head>
    <body>
        <h2>Styled Long Words</h2>

        <div class="container">
            Please visit <span class="highlight">www.example<wbr>.com</span> for more information.
        </div>
    </body>
</html>
Styling Long Words with CSS and <wbr>

Result: The long URL in the example is styled and will break at the <wbr> tag if needed to fit within the container’s width.

Practical Applications of the <wbr> Tag

  • Long URLs: Add breakpoints in URLs to prevent them from overflowing containers.
  • Product Names: Break long product names in e-commerce websites to maintain layout integrity.
  • Code Examples: Insert breakpoints in inline code snippets or file paths for better readability.
  • Responsive Design: Improve text layout on small screens by allowing the browser to break lines at appropriate points.

The <wbr> tag is a simple yet powerful tool for improving text formatting, ensuring clean and responsive layouts in modern web design.