How do I replace a single character without entering insert mode?

Explanation

The r{char} command replaces the character under the cursor with {char} without ever entering insert mode. It is one of the fastest ways to fix a single-character typo or make a quick substitution.

How it works

• r enters replace mode for exactly one character
• {char} is the replacement character you type next
• After the replacement, Vim stays in normal mode — no <Esc> needed

Example

Given the text with the cursor on the a in cat:

The cat sat on the mat

Pressing rc replaces a with c, but that's not useful here. Instead, with the cursor on the c in cat, pressing rb results in:

The bat sat on the mat

Only the single character under the cursor is changed.

Tips

• Use R (uppercase) to enter replace mode, which lets you overwrite multiple characters continuously until you press <Esc>
• Use 5r* to replace the current character and the next 4 characters with * (5 characters total)
• Use r<CR> to replace a character with a newline, effectively splitting the line at the cursor position
• The . command repeats r{char} — move to another character and press . to replace it with the same character
• Unlike s (which deletes the character and enters insert mode), r keeps you in normal mode, making it more efficient for single-character fixes
• Combine with f{char} for precise edits: f;r, finds the next semicolon and replaces it with a comma