Word Wrap

What Is the Word Wrap Tool?

The Word Wrap tool reformats long lines of text by breaking them at word boundaries so that no line exceeds a character limit you set. You choose the maximum line length, click Word Wrap, and the tool redistributes the text across as many lines as needed to stay within that width. It is useful for formatting plain-text content to a readable column width, preparing text for fixed-width displays, or meeting line-length requirements in code comments, README files, or terminal output.

Unlike hard line-break tools that cut at an exact character count regardless of words, this one wraps at word boundaries, which means it does not split words in the middle and the output stays readable.

How to Use This Tool

1. Paste or type your text into the input box above.
2. Enter the maximum number of characters you want each line to be in the line length field. A common choice is 80 for general plain-text content, but you can set it to whatever your context requires.
3. Click Word Wrap and the tool redistributes the text so each line stays within your specified width, breaking only at spaces between words.
4. Copy the result using the Copy button, or select and copy manually. Use Clear to reset the input.

When Would You Use This?

Reformatting a long block of plain text into a specific column width before adding it to a README file, a code comment block, a terminal message, or any fixed-width environment where long lines cause display problems.

Preparing email body text for plain-text email clients that do not wrap lines automatically, where a single very long line would require horizontal scrolling to read on certain mail applications.

Breaking up a continuous block of text exported from a source that did not include line breaks, before using it in a monospace display, a text file, or a system with a line-length constraint.

Examples

Wrapping a long sentence at 40 characters

Input   : The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog and then runs away into the forest.
Line Length  : 40
Output  : The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy
dog and then runs away into the forest.

Wrapping a paragraph at 60 characters

Input   : Plain text formatting matters more than most people realize when working with fixed-width displays and terminal output.
Line Length  : 60
Output  : Plain text formatting matters more than most
people realize when working with fixed-width
displays and terminal output.

Wrapping at 80 characters (standard width)

Input   : This is a sample line of text that is longer than eighty characters and needs to be reformatted before it goes into a plain text document or README file.
Line Length  : 80
Output  : This is a sample line of text that is longer than eighty characters and needs to
be reformatted before it goes into a plain text document or README file.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I word wrap text online?

Paste your text into the input box, set your preferred line length, and click Word Wrap. The output has line breaks inserted at word boundaries so no line exceeds your specified width.

What is word wrap?

Word wrap is the automatic continuation of text onto a new line when it reaches the edge of a defined boundary, breaking at word boundaries rather than mid-word. In visual applications like word processors and web browsers, it happens automatically. This tool applies the same logic to plain text at a character width you choose.

What is the standard line length for plain text?

80 characters is the most widely used convention, originally based on terminal and punch card widths. Some style guides use 72 for email or 100 for certain code bases. There is no universal rule, but 80 is a safe default for most plain-text contexts.

How do I word wrap text in Notepad?

Notepad applies visual word wrap through the Format menu by checking Word Wrap, but this does not insert actual line breaks into the text. If you need real line breaks in the content itself, paste into this tool instead.

How is word wrap different from the Add Line Breaks tool?

Word wrap breaks lines at word boundaries so words are never split across lines. Hard line-break tools cut at a fixed character count regardless of where words fall. Word wrap produces cleaner, more readable output, while hard breaks guarantee an exact character width but may split words.

What happens to existing line breaks in my text?

The tool typically processes each existing paragraph or line and wraps it within the specified width. Existing line breaks may be used as paragraph boundaries. Check the output if your input already has complex line break formatting.

How do I wrap text in a text file?

Paste the file contents into the input box, set your line length, click Word Wrap, copy the output, and save it back to your file.

Can I use this for email formatting?

Yes. Plain-text emails benefit from wrapped lines at around 72 to 80 characters. Paste your email body text in, set the width, and the tool produces properly wrapped content ready to copy into your email client.

What line length should I use for code comments?

Most coding style guides recommend keeping comments within the same line limit as the code itself, often 80 or 100 characters. Match whatever limit your project's style guide specifies.