diff --git a/vimrc b/vimrc
index b583405..5cff696 100644
--- a/vimrc
+++ b/vimrc
@@ -114,6 +114,9 @@ highlight ColorColumn ctermbg=235 guibg=#2d2d2d
 " display line numbers
 set number
 
+" define characters to display when using 'set list'
+set listchars=tab:→\ ,trail:∙,eol:¬,extends:❯,precedes:❮,nbsp:␣
+
 " Disable arrow keys
 "map <Right>	<Nop>
 "map <Left>	<Nop>