How do I replace exactly N consecutive characters with the same character without entering visual mode?

Explanation

The {count}r{char} command replaces a precise number of characters starting at the cursor position with a single repeated character. It is faster than entering visual mode when you know exactly how many characters to overwrite.

How it works

• {count} — a number specifying how many characters to replace
• r — the replace operator, which stays in normal mode
• {char} — the character that replaces each of the counted characters

All {count} characters from the cursor forward are replaced in a single atomic operation, and the cursor lands on the last replaced character.

Example

Given the text with the cursor on the first hyphen:

---> pointer

Pressing 3r= replaces the three characters --> with ===:

===> pointer

Tips

• Without a count, r{char} replaces only the single character under the cursor — the counted form is the lesser-known extension
• Useful for replacing separators: 5r- turns five characters into a run of dashes
• Supports special keys via <C-v>: 3r<C-v><Enter> replaces three characters with literal carriage returns (useful for binary editing)
• Unlike c or s, r does not leave you in insert mode, so the change is instantly undoable with u