Emacs: Split Windows

Emacs Split Window Commands:

• split-window-below 【Ctrl+x 2】
• split-window-right 【Ctrl+x 3】
• delete-other-windows 【Ctrl+x 1】 → unsplit all
• delete-window 【Ctrl+x 0】 → remove current pane
• other-window 【Ctrl+x o】 → move cursor to next pane

Note, emacs terminology of window/frame is reversed from modern meaning.

• emacs jargon “window” means frame or pane.
• emacs jargon “frame” means window.

Adjust Split Pane Size

You can adjust the split pane size by mouse dragging the mode line (status bar). For windows split left/right, drag the split position on the horizontal mode line.

Or, you can use keys. Here's the commands:

• enlarge-window 【Ctrl+x ^】 → increase height
• shrink-window → decrease height
• enlarge-window-horizontally 【Ctrl+x }】 → increase width
• shrink-window-horizontally 【Ctrl+x {】 → decrease width
• shrink-window-if-larger-than-buffer 【Ctrl+x -】 → shrink a window to fit its content.
• balance-windows 【Ctrl+x +】 → make all panes same width/height

Most of these commands also take a argument. Alt+x universal-argument 【Ctrl+u】 first then type a number, then, call the command that adjust window size.

If you use these commands often, you probably want to give them a easy key such as F8, so you can hold it to enlarge/shrink window size. [see Emacs: How to Define Keys]