word-wrap

word-wrap is the legacy name for overflow-wrap. It remains a supported compatibility alias; it is not a separate wrapping algorithm or a universally removed deprecated property.

Read a legacy declaration

Break-word allows the long token to wrap when it would otherwise overflow. The narrow box makes that behavior visible.

<p class="token">workshopregistrationidentifierwithoutspaces</p>

.token {
  max-width: 12rem;
  word-wrap: break-word;
  padding: 0.75rem;
  background: #eff6ff;
}

Put a legacy fallback before a modern value

Because these names address the same property, source order matters. The modern anywhere declaration belongs last; reversing the order can replace it with break-word in browsers that recognize both.

<p class="token">anotherregistrationidentifierwithoutspaces</p>

.token {
  max-width: 12rem;
  word-wrap: break-word;
  overflow-wrap: anywhere;
  padding: 0.75rem;
  background: #eff6ff;
}

Values and defaults

The initial value is normal and the property is inherited. The alias accepts the corresponding overflow-wrap values, including normal, break-word, and anywhere where supported. Normal retains language-appropriate ordinary breaking; it does not mean every long word always overflows regardless of existing break opportunities.

Anywhere and break-word differ during min-content sizing. Anywhere includes its emergency breaks in that calculation; break-word does not. Use overflow-wrap for the full explanation.

Migration without a behavior surprise

Prefer the modern name in new code. Keep the alias only when the target browser requirements justify it, and put a deliberate modern override after the fallback. White-space:nowrap can still prevent wrapping, and minimum box sizes can still force overflow.

The old practical example did not contain a token long enough to test its claim. Both examples here do. Learn white-space and min-width before assuming a wrapping declaration fixes every layout.

Sources and browser support

MDN: overflow-wrap describes the syntax and links to the specification and compatibility data. Check individual values in that table when supporting older browsers.