Why Doesn't Setting a Width Prevent a Div from Shrinking to Fit Overflowing Content?

Why Does the First Line Not Prevent the Div from Shrinking?

In a simplified example of a web page, the inner div with excessive content overflows and escapes the containing outer div. Despite attempts to confine the inner div, it continues to spill over when the container is resized to a narrow width. This article investigates the reasons behind this behavior and provides solutions.

Understanding Block Elements and Inline-Block Elements

Initially, the outer div has a defined width, but when the inner div content exceeds it, the outer div shrinks to accommodate the growing inner div. This happens because the outer div is a block element, meaning its width is defined by the parent container.

The Inline-Block Approach

To resolve this behavior, one can utilize inline-block elements, which by default have their width determined by their content. By assigning display: inline-block to the outer div, its width becomes independent of its parent container.

Ensuring Full-Width Display

However, even with inline-block, the outer div might not always display at its full width. To ensure it fully expands, use min-width: 100%. This ensures that the outer div fills the available space, preventing the inner div from escaping.

Summary

By combining display: inline-block and min-width: 100% on the outer div, you can control its width independently of its parent container and guarantee that it encompasses the inner div without overflow. This approach resolves the issue of the inner div leaking outside the containing outer div.

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