Question

In Javascript, I have a certain string, and I would like to somehow measure how much space (in pixels) it will take within a certain element.

Basically what I have is an element that will float above everything else (like a tooltip), and I need to set its width manually through Javascript, so it will adjust to the text inside.
I can’t have it ‘auto-grow’ naturally like an inline element would grow horizontally to contain its children.

In Windows there are APIs that do this. Is there a way to do the same thing in Javascript?
If there is no decent way, what approach do you believe is feasible? (Like, trying out different widths and checking the height to make sure it didn’t go over a certain threshold).

The less ‘pixel values’ I can hardcode in my JS the better, obviously.

Answer 1

try this

http://blog.mastykarz.nl/measuring-the-length-of-a-string-in-pixels-using-javascript/