page-break-before

The page-break-before CSS property adjusts page breaks before the current element.

This property applies to block elements that generate a box. It won't apply on an empty <div> that won't generate a box.

/* Keyword values */
page-break-before: auto;
page-break-before: always;
page-break-before: avoid;
page-break-before: left;
page-break-before: right;
page-break-before: recto;
page-break-before: verso;
/* Global values */
page-break-before: inherit;
page-break-before: initial;
page-break-before: unset;

Note: this property is in progress of being replaced by the more generic break-before. This new property also handles column and region breaks and is syntactically compatible with page-break-before.

Before using page-break-before, check if you can use break-before instead. In the future page-break-before will be a mere alias for some values of it.

Initial valueauto
Applies toblock-level elements in the normal flow of the root element. User agents may also apply it to other elements like table-row elements.
Inheritedno
Mediavisual, paged
Computed valueas specified
Animation typediscrete
Canonical orderthe unique non-ambiguous order defined by the formal grammar

Syntax

Values

auto
Initial value. Automatic page breaks (neither forced nor forbidden).
always
Always force page breaks before the element.
avoid
Avoid page breaks before the element.
left
Force page breaks before the element so that the next page is formatted as a left page.
right
Force page breaks before the element so that the next page is formatted as a right page.
recto
If pages progress left-to-right, then this acts like right. If pages progress right-to-left, then this acts like left.
verso
If pages progress left-to-right, then this acts like left. If pages progress right-to-left, then this acts like right.

Formal syntax

auto | always | avoid | left | right

Examples

/* avoid page break before the div */
div.note { 
    page-break-before: avoid;
} 

Specification

Specification Status Comment
CSS Logical Properties Level 1
The definition of 'recto and verso' in that specification.
Editor's Draft Adds the values recto and verso.
CSS Paged Media Module Level 3
The definition of 'page-break-before' in that specification.
Working Draft Extends the element that this property applies to table rows and table row groups.
CSS Level 2 (Revision 1)
The definition of 'page-break-before' in that specification.
Recommendation Initial definition

Browser compatibility

Feature Chrome Edge Firefox (Gecko) Internet Explorer Opera Safari (WebKit)
Basic support (auto, always) 1.0 (Yes) 1.0 (1.7 or earlier) 4.0 7.0 1.2 (125)
avoid, left, right 1.0 ? No support (bug 132035) 4.0 7.0 1.2 (125)
Feature Android Edge Firefox Mobile (Gecko) IE Phone Opera Mobile Safari Mobile
Basic support ? (Yes) 1.0 (1.0) ? ? ?
avoid, left, right ? ? No support (bug 132035) ? ? ?

See also

Document Tags and Contributors

 Last updated by: chrisdavidmills,