No-Break Space (U+00A0) | The Unseen Protector of Text Flow
No-break space (U+00A0) prevents line breaks between characters. Learn how to use it for formatting.
Table of Contents
What Is a No-Break Space?
The No-Break Space (U+00A0), represented as in HTML, is a Unicode whitespace character that prevents line breaks between words or elements. Unlike a regular space (U+0020), it “glues” text together to avoid awkward splits (e.g., “10 PM” or “100 km/h”).
Key Use Cases
? Prevents line breaks in dates, units, or names (e.g., “Dr. Smith”).
? Maintains formatting in HTML (extra spaces won’t collapse).
? Replaces indents in plain text (e.g., email templates).
No-Break Space Shortcodes (Quick Reference)
| Type | Code |
|---|---|
| Unicode | U+00A0 |
| HTML Code | or |
| HEX Code | |
| CSS Code | \00A0 |
| ALT Code | Alt + 0160 (Numpad) |
How to Type a No-Break Space
1. Keyboard Shortcuts
- Windows: Hold
Alt, type0160on the Numpad, releaseAlt. - Mac: Press
Option + Space. - Linux:
Ctrl + Shift + U, then type00A0, pressEnter.
2. Copy-Paste Method
Copy from here: (or use in HTML).
How to Use No-Break Space in Code
HTML Examples
html
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CSS Method
css
.keep-together::after {
content: '\00A0'; /* Adds non-breaking space after element */
}
No-Break Space vs. Regular Space
| Feature | U+00A0 ( ) |
U+0020 (Regular Space) |
|---|---|---|
| Prevents line breaks | ? Yes | ? No |
| HTML collapsing | ? No (stays as 1 space) | ? Yes (collapses) |
| Common uses | Dates, units, formulas | Word separation |
Pro Tips & Warnings
? Don’t overuse for layout (use CSS margin/padding instead).
? Accessibility: Screen readers may pause at . Use sparingly.
? Alternatives: For fixed-width spaces, try (U+2002) or (U+2003)