How do I set a vertical split to an exact column width?

Explanation

:vertical resize {N} sets the width of the current window to exactly {N} columns. Without the vertical prefix, :resize adjusts height instead. This is essential for managing side-by-side splits — setting a sidebar to a fixed width, or giving your main editor window more room.

Commands

Keyboard shortcuts

• <C-w>> — increase width by 1 (or {N}<C-w>> for N columns)
• <C-w>< — decrease width by 1
• <C-w>+ — increase height by 1
• <C-w>- — decrease height by 1

Example

Set up a 30-column sidebar for file browsing:

:vsplit
:Explore
:vertical resize 30

Give the main editing window 120 columns:

<C-w>l
:vertical resize 120

Tips

• Map a quick resize: nnoremap <leader>w :vertical resize 80<CR>
• :vertical resize only affects width; :resize only affects height — the vertical prefix is required for width
• After :set equalalways, Vim automatically equalizes windows when one is opened or closed — disable with :set noequalalways if you want to keep fixed sizes
• In terminal Vim, window sizes are measured in characters; 80 columns is a standard terminal width