How do I set the maximum line width for automatic text wrapping?

Explanation

The textwidth option sets the maximum width for text. When you type beyond this width, Vim automatically inserts a line break.

How it works

• :set textwidth=80 wraps at 80 characters
• :set textwidth=0 disables automatic wrapping
• Only affects text as you type — existing lines are not reformatted

Example

With textwidth=80, typing beyond column 80 automatically starts a new line at the nearest word boundary.

Tips

• gq reformats existing text to textwidth
• :set colorcolumn=80 shows a visual guide line
• formatoptions controls when wrapping is applied
• :set fo+=t enables auto-wrapping for text
• :set fo-=t disables auto-wrapping (keeps manual gq)