> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://itsfoss.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Show Line Numbers in Nano Editor - URL: https://itsfoss.com/nano-show-line-number/ - Published: 2023-10-19T07:20:14.000Z - Updated: 2024-03-31T14:15:00.000Z - Description: Looking for a specific line? Display the line numbers in Nano editor so that it is easier to look for lines. - Author: Sagar Sharma - Tags: Using Nano Editor, #docs When you execute a code and encounter an error, it points out a part of a code and the number of a line where the error lies. To me, this was the main reason why I wanted to enable line numbers in the nano text editor and you can do it in two ways: - Display the current line number at the center bottom - Show all the line numbers on the left side But before I jump to the detailed part, here's a quick look at what I will be explaining in this tutorial: | Action | Description | | ---------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | nano -c Filename | Open the file with the line numbers at the center bottom. | | Ctrl + C | It has the same behavior as above but is used inside the Nano editor. | | set constantshow | Add this line to the \~/.nanorc file and make the above action permanent. | | nano -l Filename | Open the file with numbers displayed on the left side of the Nano editor. | | Alt + # | It has the same behavior as above but is used inside the Nano editor. | | set linenumbers | Add this line to the \~/.nanorc file to show lines on the left side permanently. | Pretty easy. Right? Want more details? I got you! ## Display only the current line number in Nano The easiest way to show the current line number is to start the nano editor with the `-c` flag as shown here: ``` nano -c Filename ``` ![Show the current line number in nano](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/10/Show-the-current-line-number-in-nano.png) As you can see, it shows the current line number alongside the total number of the file. ### Show the current line number in nano using the shortcut 📋 Unlike the above method, it won't show you the number of lines actively so you have to use `Ctrl + C` every time you want to check the number of a line. Sure the above method works like a charm but what if you forgot to start the nano editor with the `-c` flag? Well, you can achieve the same using the `Ctrl + C` shortcut: ![Show the current number of a line in the nano text editor using shortcut](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/10/Show-the-nuber-of-a-current-line-in-the-nano-text-editor.gif) ### Show the current lines in Nano permanently If you want to show the current lines in the nano editor permanently, then you have to make a few changes in the nano editor: ``` nano ~/.nanorc ``` Now, paste the following line into the `~/.nanorc` file: ``` set constantshow ``` ![Show the current line number in the nano editor permanently](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/10/Show-the-current-line-number-in-the-nano-editor-permanently.png) Now, [save changes and exit from the nano](https://itsfoss.com/nano-save-exit/) editor. To take effect from the changes you've made to the nano configuration file, [source the file](https://linuxhandbook.com/source-command/?ref=itsfoss.com) using the following: ``` source ~/.nanorc ``` From now on, you will see nano showing the current line number permanently. ## Display the number of every line in the Nano editor Want to show the number of every line in the nano editor? The easiest way is to start the [nano editor](https://www.nano-editor.org/?ref=itsfoss.com) with the `-l` flag: ``` nano -l File ``` ![Show the number of every line in the nano editor](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/10/Show-the-number-of-every-line-in-the-nano-editor.png) There you have it! ### Show the number of every line in nano using the shortcut You may forget to use the `-l` flag with the nano editor or you just want to display the number of every line for little time. In that case, you can use `Alt + #` or `Alt + Shift + 3` to activate the column indicating the number of every line in the file which can be deactivated using the same shortcut: ![Show the number of all lines in the nano editor using the shortcut](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/10/Show-the-number-of-all-lines-in-the-nano-editor-using-the-shortcut.gif) As you can see, when you press `Alt + #`, it enables the line numbers and notifies the action by saying `Line numbering enabled`. ### Show the number of every line in Nano permanently If you want to enable the line number column permanently, then you have to make a few changes to the `nanorc` file. First, open the `nanorc` file using the following command: ``` nano ~/.nanorc ``` Next, paste the following line in the `nanorc` file: ``` set linenumbers ``` ![Show number of every line parmanently in the nano editor](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/10/Show-number-of-every-line-parmanently-in-the-nano-editor.png) Now, save changes and exit from the nano text editor. To take effect from the changes you've made to the `nanorc` file, source the file using the following command: ``` source ~/.nanorc ``` That's it! ## Beginner to the Nano editor? Let me help If you've just started [embracing the Linux terminal](https://itsfoss.com/love-thy-terminal/), you may find the nano editor a little complex, especially if you're switching from a GUI editor. In that case, you can refer to our [beginner's guide to the nano](https://itsfoss.com/nano-editor-guide/) editor: [Editing Files With Nano in Linux \[With Cheat Sheet\]Though Nano is less complicated to use than Vim and Emacs, it doesn’t mean Nano cannot be overwhelming. Learn how to use the Nano text editor.![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/size/w256h256/2022/12/android-chrome-192x192.png)It's FOSSAbhishek Prakash![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/wordpress/2020/05/nano-editor-guide.png)](https://itsfoss.com/nano-editor-guide/) I hope you will find this guide helpful.