CSS white-space Property Reference

The CSS white-space property is a standard property in CSS Text. Review its formal syntax, computed behavior, and practical declarations.

Updated 2026-08-12

white-space overview

The CSS white-space property is a standard property in CSS Text. Review its formal syntax, computed behavior, and practical declarations.

The computed value normally inherits from the parent element when no declaration wins the cascade.

Syntax and formal definition

white-space formal syntax

Field	Value
Formal syntax	normal \| pre \| pre-wrap \| pre-line \| <'white-space-collapse'> \|\| <'text-wrap-mode'>
Initial value	normal
Applies to	allElements
Inherited	Yes
Percentages	no
Computed value	asSpecified
Animation type	discrete
Media	visual
Specification group	CSS Text
Status	Standard

Practical examples

These declarations demonstrate valid ways to set white-space. The initial and inherit global keywords remain available even when a property-specific value is preferable.

white-space live example

CSS

.reset-example {
  white-space: initial;
}

.inherit-example {
  white-space: inherit;
}

@supports (white-space: initial) {
  .supported {
    white-space: initial;
  }
}