Common Line Length Standards
Different languages and communities have settled on slightly different maximums:
| Characters | Usage |
|---|---|
| 80 | Traditional standard — Python (PEP 8), Bash, many linters’ default |
| 100 | Modern practical middle ground |
| 120 | Google style guides, IntelliJ default, common in Java and Go |
For most projects, 80–100 characters strikes a good balance. It keeps code readable in split-pane editors, diffs, and code reviews without excessive wrapping.
Consistency within a project matters more than the exact number — follow whatever the project’s linter or formatter enforces.
Bash: Stick to 80 Characters
Bash scripts have a stronger case for the 80-character limit than most languages:
- Bash is often read in terminals, which default to 80 columns
- Scripts are frequently edited over SSH or in minimal editors
- Long pipelines and flag-heavy commands are common and benefit from explicit wrapping
Line Continuation with \
When commands exceed the limit, use backslash (\) continuation to break them across lines:
curl -X POST \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{"key": "value"}' \
"https://example.com/api"This keeps each flag or argument on its own line, making the command easier to scan and modify.