Web/CSS/word-spacing

From Get docs


The word-spacing CSS property sets the length of space between words and between tags.


Syntax

/* Keyword value */
word-spacing: normal;

/* <length> values */
word-spacing: 3px;
word-spacing: 0.3em;

/* <percentage> values */
word-spacing: 50%;
word-spacing: 200%;

/* Global values */
word-spacing: inherit;
word-spacing: initial;
word-spacing: unset;

Values

normal
The normal inter-word spacing, as defined by the current font and/or the browser.
<length>
Specifies extra spacing in addition to the intrinsic inter-word spacing defined by the font.
<percentage>
Specifies extra spacing as a percentage of the affected character’s advance width.

Examples

HTML

<div id="mozdiv1">Here are many words...</div>
<div id="mozdiv2">...and many more!</div>

CSS

#mozdiv1 {
  word-spacing: 15px;
}

#mozdiv2 {
  word-spacing: 5em;
}

Accessibility concerns

A large positive or negative word-spacing value will make the sentences the styling is applied to unreadable. For text styled with a very large positive value, the words will be so far apart that it will no longer appear to be a sentence. For text styled with a large negative value, the words will overlap each other to the point where the the beginning and end of each word is unrecognizable.

Legible word-spacing must be determined on a case-by-case basis, as different font families have different character widths. There is no one value that can ensure all font families automatically maintain their legibility.

Formal definition

Initial value normal
Applies to all elements. It also applies to ::first-letter and ::first-line.
Inherited yes
Percentages refer to the width of the affected glyph
Computed value an optimum, minimum, and maximum value, each consisting of either an absolute length, a percentage, or the keyword normal
Animation type a length

Formal syntax

normal | <length-percentage>where <length-percentage> = <length> | <percentage>

Specifications

Specification Status Comment
CSS Text Module Level 3The definition of 'word-spacing' in that specification. Working Draft Replaces the previous values with a <spacing-limit> value that defines the same thing, plus the <percentage> value. Allows up to three values describing the optimum, minimum, and maximum value.
CSS Level 2 (Revision 1)The definition of 'word-spacing' in that specification. Recommendation No change.
CSS Level 1The definition of 'word-spacing' in that specification. Recommendation Initial definition.

Browser compatibility

Update compatibility data on GitHub

Desktop Mobile
Chrome Edge Firefox Internet Explorer Opera Safari Android webview Chrome for Android Firefox for Android Opera for Android Safari on iOS Samsung Internet
word-spacing Chrome

Full support 1

Edge

Full support 12

Firefox

Full support 1

IE

Full support 6

Opera

Full support 3.5

Safari

Full support 1

WebView Android

Full support 37

Chrome Android

Full support 18

Firefox Android

Full support 4

Opera Android

Full support 14

Safari iOS

Full support 1

Samsung Internet Android

Full support 1.0

<percentage> values Chrome

No support No

Edge

No support No

Firefox

Full support 45

IE

No support No

Opera

No support No

Safari

Full support 6.1

WebView Android

No support No

Chrome Android

No support No

Firefox Android

Full support 45

Opera Android

No support No

Safari iOS

Full support 6.1

Samsung Internet Android

No support No

SVG support Chrome

Full support 1

Edge

Full support 12

Firefox

Full support 72

IE

Full support 9

Opera

Full support 7

Safari

Full support 5.1

WebView Android

Full support ≤37

Chrome Android

Full support 18

Firefox Android

No support No

Opera Android

Full support 14

Safari iOS

Full support 5.1

Samsung Internet Android

Full support 1.0

Legend

Full support  
Full support
No support  
No support


See also