How do I resize Vim windows to exact dimensions?

Explanation

The :resize and :vertical resize commands set a window to an exact number of lines or columns. This gives you precise control over window layout beyond the <C-w>+/- incremental resizing.

Exact sizing

:resize 20           " Set current window height to 20 lines
:vertical resize 80  " Set current window width to 80 columns
:resize +5           " Increase height by 5 lines
:resize -5           " Decrease height by 5 lines
:vertical resize +10 " Increase width by 10 columns

Quick keyboard shortcuts

<C-w>+    " Increase height by 1
<C-w>-    " Decrease height by 1
<C-w>>    " Increase width by 1
<C-w><    " Decrease width by 1
5<C-w>+   " Increase height by 5
10<C-w>>  " Increase width by 10
<C-w>=    " Equalize all window sizes
<C-w>_    " Maximize current window height
<C-w>|    " Maximize current window width

Practical layouts

" Main window on left (100 cols), sidebar on right (40 cols)
:vertical resize 100

" Code on top (large), terminal on bottom (small)
:resize 30
<C-w>j :resize 10

" Equal thirds
<C-w>=

Useful mappings

" Arrow keys to resize windows
nnoremap <Up> :resize +2<CR>
nnoremap <Down> :resize -2<CR>
nnoremap <Left> :vertical resize -2<CR>
nnoremap <Right> :vertical resize +2<CR>

Tips

• :resize affects height, :vertical resize affects width
• Use absolute numbers for exact sizing, +/- for relative adjustments
• <C-w>= quickly resets all windows to equal sizes
• winheight and winwidth options set minimum sizes for the active window
• Set winminheight=0 to allow windows to be fully collapsed (showing only the status line)