VarWidth

Varwidth is a LaTeX package that provides an environment of the same name, designed to typeset content inside a horizontal box whose width is determined by the content itself, up to a user-specified maximum. If the content naturally occupies less space, the box is narrow; if it would exceed the maximum width, the text wraps within that limit. This makes varwidth useful for situations where a precise, content-driven box width is desirable without forcing a fixed line length.

Usage and syntax commonly involve loading the package with \usepackage{varwidth} in the preamble. The environment is then invoked with a single argument that sets the maximum width, for example:

\begin{varwidth}{0.8\linewidth}

This paragraph will be as wide as needed up to eighty percent of the line width.

\end{varwidth}

Another example uses a fully specified width such as \begin{varwidth}{\textwidth} for a wider block, or a smaller value to constrain the box further.

Relation to other constructs: varwidth is similar to minipage or parbox in that it creates a contained box, but it differs in its adaptive width behavior. While minipage fixes the width, varwidth allows the width to shrink to the true width of the content up to the specified maximum, providing a balance between natural sizing and layout control.

Common uses include embedding variable-width text blocks within figures, captions, side-by-side content, or Beamer frames where the author wants content not to stretch to the full line width. It is compatible with standard LaTeX engines and integrates with typical document classes; however, behaviour can vary with complex layouts or certain packages.

See also: minipage, parbox, adjustbox.