Zero-Width Space (U+200B)
Zero-Width Space is the classic invisible character, perfect for SEO optimization and HTML text formatting. 92% success rate with true zero-width properties.
Click to copy • Works on all devices • Instant clipboard
Method 1 - Copy Zero-Width Space with a button
Click the button below to copy a Zero-Width Space to your clipboard.
Method 2 - Generate Custom Zero-Width Space
Generate unlimited Zero-Width Space characters by entering the number you need, then click the "Copy" button and paste them where you want.
Test Zero-Width Space - Verify Your Invisible Characters Work
Paste the zero-width space below for the test. If light grey text disappears, it means your blank character is working.
What is Zero-Width Space?
Zero-Width Space (U+200B) is a special invisible character originally designed for computerized typesetting in the 1980s. As a true zero-width character, it literally occupies zero pixels of space while remaining a valid Unicode character. This unique invisible character serves as the foundation for creating invisible text breaks in HTML and digital document formatting.
In modern web development and SEO, this invisible character has become the classic solution for URL line breaking, SEO text formatting, and HTML blank space needs. Unlike regular spaces that browsers render visibly, the Zero-Width Space invisible character is recognized as a valid format control character and preserved in HTML/CSS rendering. With a 92% success rate, this zero-width character is the go-to choice for developers worldwide who need to create invisible text breaks without affecting layout or SEO.
Why It's Special:
- True Zero Width - Occupies exactly 0 pixels, making it invisible in all contexts
- Perfect for SEO - Search engines recognize it as text separator without affecting keyword density
- HTML/CSS Compatible - Works flawlessly in web development for line breaking and text formatting
- URL Line Breaking - Allows long URLs to wrap naturally without visual hyphens
Pro Tip: Zero-Width Space is the character you want for SEO and web development. For visible spacing in social media, consider Braille Blank (U+2800) instead.
Technical Specifications
| Unicode | U+200B |
| HTML Entity | ​or​ |
| CSS Escape | \200B |
| JavaScript | '\u200B' |
| Category | Format Character |
| Block | General Punctuation (U+2000-206F) |
| Character Width | Zero width (0 pixels) |
Why Choose Zero-Width Space?
1True Zero Width
Occupies exactly 0 pixels of space, making it truly invisible in all rendering contexts. Unlike visible spaces or Braille characters, Zero-Width Space has no width whatsoever, making it perfect for HTML text formatting, URL breaking, and typesetting applications where you need word boundaries without visual space.
2SEO Friendly
Recognized by search engines as a format control character without affecting keyword density or content analysis. Web developers use Zero-Width Space for URL line breaking in responsive designs and for preventing awkward text wrapping in CSS layouts. Maintains 92% compatibility across all major browsers and search engines.
3Web Developer Standard
Industry standard for HTML text formatting and responsive design. 100% compatibility with modern web frameworks including React, Vue, Angular, and vanilla HTML/CSS. Browsers specifically recognize Zero-Width Space in their text rendering engines for optimal line breaking and word wrapping.
How to Use Zero-Width Space
For HTML Text Formatting
- Step 1:Copy the character using the "Copy 1" button above
- Step 2:Insert into your HTML where you need line break opportunities:
<p>LongURLhere</p> - Step 3:Browser will automatically break lines at these positions without visible spaces
💡 Pro Tip: Use HTML entity ​ or ​ for better code readability in your HTML source.
For CSS Generated Content
- Step 1:Use the CSS escape sequence in your stylesheet
- Step 2:Add to
contentproperty:content: "\200B" - Step 3:Perfect for creating flexible word-break points in responsive designs
Example CSS:
.long-url::after {
content: "\200B";
/* Allows URL to break at this point */
}For JavaScript & React
- Step 1:Define the character in your code:
const zwsp = '\u200B' - Step 2:Insert between words or in long strings for better text wrapping
- Step 3:Especially useful in React components for rendering long URLs or technical terms
Example React Code:
const zwsp = '\u200B';
const url = `https://example.com${zwsp}/very/long/path`;
return <div>{url}</div>;Best Practices for SEO & Web Development
DO Use For:
- ✓URL line breaking in responsive layouts
- ✓Preventing awkward word breaks in technical documentation
- ✓Creating flexible break points in email addresses
- ✓Improving mobile text rendering for long strings
- ✓HTML/CSS content generation for layout control
DON'T Use For:
- ✗Keyword stuffing or black-hat SEO tactics
- ✗Hiding text from users but showing to search engines
- ✗Creating fake paragraph spacing (use proper CSS instead)
- ✗Replacing proper whitespace in normal text content
- ✗Manipulating character counts or length validators
SEO Impact & Search Engine Behavior
Search engines like Google treat Zero-Width Space as a format control character, not as content. When used properly for text formatting and line breaking, it has zero negative impact on SEO. However, excessive or manipulative use can trigger spam filters. The character is recognized by all major browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge) and correctly handled in their text rendering engines, ensuring 92% compatibility across web platforms.
Common Use Cases
Responsive Design
Insert in long URLs, email addresses, or technical terms to allow natural line breaks on mobile devices without creating visible spaces.
SEO Optimization
Control text wrapping in meta descriptions and titles without affecting keyword density or search engine content analysis.
Documentation
Improve readability in technical docs by allowing compound words and code snippets to break naturally across lines.
Email Templates
Prevent long email addresses and links from breaking email layouts while maintaining proper text flow in responsive email clients.
CSS Layouts
Use with CSS content property to create flexible break opportunities in generated content and pseudo-elements.
Mobile Apps
Improve text rendering in React Native, Flutter, or web-view apps by controlling where long strings can break on small screens.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about Zero-Width Space character
What is Zero-Width Space (U+200B)?
Zero-Width Space (U+200B) is a format control character from the Unicode General Punctuation block, originally designed for computerized typesetting in the 1980s. It literally occupies zero pixels of width, making it truly invisible. With a 92% success rate across modern web browsers and platforms, it's the industry standard for HTML text formatting, URL line breaking, and SEO optimization.
How do I use Zero-Width Space in HTML?
In HTML, you can insert Zero-Width Space using the HTML entity ​ or ​. Simply place it between words or in long URLs where you want to allow line breaks. For example: <p>LongURL​here</p> allows the browser to break the line at that point without creating visible spaces.
Does Zero-Width Space affect SEO?
When used properly for text formatting and line breaking, Zero-Width Space has zero negative impact on SEO. Search engines like Google recognize it as a format control character, not content. It doesn't affect keyword density or content analysis. However, excessive or manipulative use (like hiding text) can trigger spam filters and hurt your SEO rankings.
Can I use Zero-Width Space in CSS?
Yes! Use the CSS escape sequence \200B in the content property of pseudo-elements. For example: content: "\200B"; in ::after or ::before selectors. This is perfect for creating flexible word-break points in responsive designs without adding visible characters.
What's the difference between Zero-Width Space and regular space?
Regular space (U+0020) is visible and occupies physical width on screen, creating visual separation between words. Zero-Width Space (U+200B) occupies exactly 0 pixels and is completely invisible. Regular space is for normal text spacing, while Zero-Width Space is for controlling line breaks in URLs, technical terms, and responsive layouts without adding visible gaps.
Is Zero-Width Space safe for production websites?
Absolutely! Zero-Width Space has 100% compatibility with all modern browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge) and is part of the Unicode standard since 1992. It's widely used in production by major websites for responsive typography and text formatting. React, Vue, Angular, and vanilla HTML/CSS all handle it correctly. The 92% success rate accounts for rare edge cases in very old browsers or specific mobile contexts.
How do I use Zero-Width Space in JavaScript or React?
In JavaScript or React, define it as: const zwsp = '\u200B' and insert it into strings where you want break opportunities. For example: const url = `https://example.com${zwsp}/path`. In JSX: <div>{url}</div>. This is especially useful for rendering long URLs, email addresses, or technical terms in React components.
Can Zero-Width Space be detected or removed?
Yes, Zero-Width Space can be detected in code using Unicode matching: /\u200B/g in JavaScript regex. You can remove all instances with: text.replace(/\u200B/g, ''). This is useful for sanitizing user input or cleaning copied text. However, for legitimate web development uses like responsive design, there's usually no need to remove it.
Related Characters
If Zero-Width Space doesn't work for your use case, try these alternatives: