How can I show relative line numbers?

Question

A lot of vim commands can take a number referring to the number of lines that the command will act on.

Is it possible to show the line numbers relative to the current line? Something like the following:

3: some text here
2: more text
1: This is the line above where the cursor is
0: The cursor is on this line
1: This is the line after the cursor
2: More text here

Answer 1

I just replied to a similar question here: How can I add line numbers to Vim?

Beginning with version 7.3, you can use the following:

set relativenumber

I actually use both relativenumber and number in my vimrc which will use relative numbers for all lines except the current line.

set number                     " Show current line number
set relativenumber             " Show relative line numbers

Answer 2

You can toggle relative numbering on and off using:

:set rnu    " toggle relative numbering on
:set rnu!   " toggle relative numbering off

Answer 3

If you want to use a hotkey for toggling relative line number, here is a snippet in my vimrc:

" Toggle relative line number
nmap <C-L><C-L> :set invrelativenumber<CR>

In this case, I use ctrl-L twice to toggle it.

Answer 4

function! NumberToggle()
  if(&relativenumber == 1)
    set norelativenumber
  else
    set relativenumber
  endif
endfunc

nnoremap <leader>nt :call NumberToggle()<cr>