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wbr (HTML element)

Spec
Depr. Empty Version
No Yes N/A
Browser support (more…)
IE5.5+ FF2 SA3 OP9.5
Partial None None None

Syntax

<wbr>

Description

The wbr element is used within sections marked up with the nobr element and is used to suggest to the browser (or some other user agent) where within a word would be most appropriate for it to be broken (and joined with a hyphen).

This is non-standard and almost entirely useless. Using it would provide very little advantage and many more disadvantages in terms of maintenance and potential of it breaking in some browsers. Sightings of this element ‘in the wild’ are about as frequent as sightings of the Yeti. You may ignore this element at your pleasure.

Example

wbr suggests an appropriate point inside the word ‘going’ for it to be wrapped:

<p><nobr>There is absolutely no way I'm go<wbr>ing to let this
text wrap.</nobr></p>

Use this for…

No value - empty element.

Compatibility

Internet Explorer Firefox Safari Opera
5.5 6.0 7.0 1.0 1.5 2.0 1.3 2.0 3.0 9.2 9.5
Partial Partial Partial None None None None None None None None

The hope is that when using the example shown, it would appear as follows:

There is absolutely no way I’m go
ing to let this text wrap.

Only Internet Explorer honored the wbr element in an nobr element. Do not use this element.

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