Style Orphans Property

Definition and Usage

orphans The property sets or returns the minimum number of lines that must be visible at the bottom of the page (used for printing or print preview).

orphans The property only affects block-level elements.

Tip:orphans:5 The page must have at least 5 visible lines above the page break.

Tip:See widows property to set or return the minimum number of lines that must be visible at the top of the page for an element.

Example

Change orphans and check the print or print preview:

<html>
<head>
<script>
function ChangeOrphans() {
  document.getElementById("p1").style.orphans = document.getElementById("orphans").value;
}
</script>
<style>
.othercontent {
  width: 400px;
  border-top: 19cm solid #c3c3c3;
}
@page {
  /* Set the size of the print page */
  size:21cm 27cm;
  margin-top:2cm;
}
@media print {
  .orphans {
    orphans:2;
  }
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<div class="othercontent">
<input id="orphans" value="2">
<button onclick="ChangeOrphans();">Change orphans</button>
<p style="font-size:120%" id="p1">
Change orphans and view the print preview.<br>
Line 2<br>
Line 3<br>
Line 4<br>
Line 5<br>
Line 6<br>
Line 7<br>
Line 8<br>
</p>
</body>
</html>

Try It Yourself

Syntax

Return orphans property:

object.style.orphans

Set orphans property:

object.style.orphans = "number|initial|inherit"

Property Value

Value Description
number An integer that specifies the minimum number of visible lines. Negative values are not allowed. The default value is 2.
initial Sets this property to its default value. See initial.
inherit Inherits this property from its parent element. See inherit.

Technical Details

Default value: 2
Return value: A string that represents the minimum number of lines to be printed at the bottom of the page.
CSS Version: CSS2

Browser Support

The numbers in the table indicate the first browser version that fully supports this attribute.

Chrome Edge Firefox Safari Opera
Chrome Edge Firefox Safari Opera
25.0 8.0 Not Supported 3.1 10.0