diff --git a/runtime/doc/options.txt b/runtime/doc/options.txt
index ab2230641d..5292847240 100644
--- a/runtime/doc/options.txt
+++ b/runtime/doc/options.txt
@@ -1802,13 +1802,23 @@ A jump table for the options with a short description can be found at |Q_op|.
 			*'cursorline'* *'cul'* *'nocursorline'* *'nocul'*
 'cursorline' 'cul'	boolean	(default off)
 			local to window
-	Highlight the screen line of the cursor with CursorLine
-	|hl-CursorLine|.  Useful to easily spot the cursor.  Will make screen
-	redrawing slower.
+	Highlight the text line of the cursor with CursorLine |hl-CursorLine|.
+	Useful to easily spot the cursor.  Will make screen redrawing slower.
 	When Visual mode is active the highlighting isn't used to make it
 	easier to see the selected text.
 
 
+						*'cursorlineopt'* *'culopt'*
+'cursorlineopt' 'culopt' string (default: "both")
+			local to window
+	Settings for how 'cursorline' is displayed.  Valid values:
+	    "line"	Highlight the text line of the cursor with
+			CursorLine |hl-CursorLine|.
+	    "number"	Highlight the line number of the cursor with
+			CursorLineNr |hl-CursorLineNr|.
+	    "both"	Highlight as both "line" and "number" are set.
+
+
 						*'debug'*
 'debug'			string	(default "")
 			global
diff --git a/runtime/doc/quickref.txt b/runtime/doc/quickref.txt
index c19b05f6c7..77e69a3eea 100644
--- a/runtime/doc/quickref.txt
+++ b/runtime/doc/quickref.txt
@@ -659,6 +659,7 @@ Short explanation of each option:		*option-list*
 'cursorbind'	  'crb'     move cursor in window as it moves in other windows
 'cursorcolumn'	  'cuc'	    highlight the screen column of the cursor
 'cursorline'	  'cul'	    highlight the screen line of the cursor
+'cursorlineopt'	  'culopt'  settings for 'cursorline'
 'debug'			    set to "msg" to see all error messages
 'define'	  'def'     pattern to be used to find a macro definition
 'delcombine'	  'deco'    delete combining characters on their own
diff --git a/runtime/doc/syntax.txt b/runtime/doc/syntax.txt
index bc7a1e34c3..0cd3aed7a2 100644
--- a/runtime/doc/syntax.txt
+++ b/runtime/doc/syntax.txt
@@ -5065,7 +5065,8 @@ Substitute	|:substitute| replacement text highlighting
 LineNr		Line number for ":number" and ":#" commands, and when 'number'
 		or 'relativenumber' option is set.
 							*hl-CursorLineNr*
-CursorLineNr	Like LineNr when 'cursorline' or 'relativenumber' is set for
+CursorLineNr	Like LineNr when 'cursorline' is set and 'cursorlineopt' is
+		set to "number" or "both", or 'relativenumber' is set, for
 		the cursor line.
 							*hl-MatchParen*
 MatchParen	The character under the cursor or just before it, if it
diff --git a/runtime/optwin.vim b/runtime/optwin.vim
index 633cb9e509..d4c10f7afa 100644
--- a/runtime/optwin.vim
+++ b/runtime/optwin.vim
@@ -440,6 +440,9 @@ if has("syntax")
   call append("$", "cursorline\thighlight the screen line of the cursor")
   call append("$", "\t(local to window)")
   call <SID>BinOptionL("cul")
+  call append("$", "cursorlineopt\tspecifies which area 'cursorline' highlights")
+  call append("$", "\t(local to window)")
+  call <SID>OptionL("culopt")
   call append("$", "colorcolumn\tcolumns to highlight")
   call append("$", "\t(local to window)")
   call <SID>OptionL("cc")
diff --git a/src/nvim/buffer_defs.h b/src/nvim/buffer_defs.h
index 2fe85e0543..1099573f83 100644
--- a/src/nvim/buffer_defs.h
+++ b/src/nvim/buffer_defs.h
@@ -226,6 +226,8 @@ typedef struct {
 # define w_p_cuc w_onebuf_opt.wo_cuc    // 'cursorcolumn'
   int wo_cul;
 # define w_p_cul w_onebuf_opt.wo_cul    // 'cursorline'
+  char_u      *wo_culopt;
+# define w_p_culopt w_onebuf_opt.wo_culopt  // 'cursorlineopt'
   char_u      *wo_cc;
 # define w_p_cc w_onebuf_opt.wo_cc      // 'colorcolumn'
   char_u      *wo_stl;
diff --git a/src/nvim/option.c b/src/nvim/option.c
index f67cfd109b..95970a77f8 100644
--- a/src/nvim/option.c
+++ b/src/nvim/option.c
@@ -322,6 +322,7 @@ static char *(p_scl_values[]) =       { "yes", "no", "auto", "auto:1", "auto:2",
 static char *(p_fdc_values[]) =       { "auto", "auto:1", "auto:2",
   "auto:3", "auto:4", "auto:5", "auto:6", "auto:7", "auto:8", "auto:9",
   "0", "1", "2", "3", "4", "5", "6", "7", "8", "9", NULL };
+static char *(p_culopt_values[]) =    { "line", "number", "both", NULL };
 
 /// All possible flags for 'shm'.
 static char_u SHM_ALL[] = {
@@ -2411,6 +2412,12 @@ did_set_string_option(
       os_setenv("VIMRUNTIME", "", 1);
       didset_vimruntime = false;
     }
+  } else if (varp == &curwin->w_p_culopt
+             || gvarp == &curwin->w_allbuf_opt.wo_culopt) {  // 'cursorlineopt'
+    if (**varp == NUL
+        || check_opt_strings(*varp, p_culopt_values, false) != OK) {
+      errmsg = e_invarg;
+    }
   } else if (varp == &curwin->w_p_cc) {  // 'colorcolumn'
     errmsg = check_colorcolumn(curwin);
   } else if (varp == &p_hlg) {  // 'helplang'
@@ -5652,6 +5659,7 @@ static char_u *get_varp(vimoption_T *p)
   case PV_SPELL:  return (char_u *)&(curwin->w_p_spell);
   case PV_CUC:    return (char_u *)&(curwin->w_p_cuc);
   case PV_CUL:    return (char_u *)&(curwin->w_p_cul);
+  case PV_CULOPT: return (char_u *)&(curwin->w_p_culopt);
   case PV_CC:     return (char_u *)&(curwin->w_p_cc);
   case PV_DIFF:   return (char_u *)&(curwin->w_p_diff);
   case PV_FDC:    return (char_u *)&(curwin->w_p_fdc);
@@ -5799,6 +5807,7 @@ void copy_winopt(winopt_T *from, winopt_T *to)
   to->wo_spell = from->wo_spell;
   to->wo_cuc = from->wo_cuc;
   to->wo_cul = from->wo_cul;
+  to->wo_culopt = vim_strsave(from->wo_culopt);
   to->wo_cc = vim_strsave(from->wo_cc);
   to->wo_diff = from->wo_diff;
   to->wo_diff_saved = from->wo_diff_saved;
@@ -5849,6 +5858,7 @@ static void check_winopt(winopt_T *wop)
   check_string_option(&wop->wo_scl);
   check_string_option(&wop->wo_rlc);
   check_string_option(&wop->wo_stl);
+  check_string_option(&wop->wo_culopt);
   check_string_option(&wop->wo_cc);
   check_string_option(&wop->wo_cocu);
   check_string_option(&wop->wo_briopt);
@@ -5871,6 +5881,7 @@ void clear_winopt(winopt_T *wop)
   clear_string_option(&wop->wo_scl);
   clear_string_option(&wop->wo_rlc);
   clear_string_option(&wop->wo_stl);
+  clear_string_option(&wop->wo_culopt);
   clear_string_option(&wop->wo_cc);
   clear_string_option(&wop->wo_cocu);
   clear_string_option(&wop->wo_briopt);
diff --git a/src/nvim/option_defs.h b/src/nvim/option_defs.h
index 5e40bdd6ef..37e75a6cc7 100644
--- a/src/nvim/option_defs.h
+++ b/src/nvim/option_defs.h
@@ -870,6 +870,7 @@ enum {
   , WV_SPELL
   , WV_CUC
   , WV_CUL
+  , WV_CULOPT
   , WV_CC
   , WV_STL
   , WV_WFH
diff --git a/src/nvim/options.lua b/src/nvim/options.lua
index 0830fb4638..7b8170094e 100644
--- a/src/nvim/options.lua
+++ b/src/nvim/options.lua
@@ -555,6 +555,13 @@ return {
       redraw={'current_window_only'},
       defaults={if_true={vi=false}}
     },
+    {
+      full_name='cursorlineopt', abbreviation='culopt',
+      short_desc=N_("settings for 'cursorline'"),
+      type='string', scope={'window'},
+      redraw={'current_window_only'},
+      defaults={if_true={vi="both"}}
+    },
     {
       full_name='debug',
       short_desc=N_("to \"msg\" to see all error messages"),
diff --git a/src/nvim/screen.c b/src/nvim/screen.c
index aee10c06ad..b048facfb7 100644
--- a/src/nvim/screen.c
+++ b/src/nvim/screen.c
@@ -2362,7 +2362,8 @@ static int win_line(win_T *wp, linenr_T lnum, int startrow, int endrow,
   if (lnum == wp->w_cursor.lnum) {
     // Do not show the cursor line when Visual mode is active, because it's
     // not clear what is selected then.
-    if (wp->w_p_cul && !(wp == curwin && VIsual_active)) {
+    if (wp->w_p_cul && !(wp == curwin && VIsual_active)
+        && *wp->w_p_culopt != 'n') {
       int cul_attr = win_hl_attr(wp, HLF_CUL);
       HlAttrs ae = syn_attr2entry(cul_attr);
 
@@ -2786,6 +2787,7 @@ static int win_line(win_T *wp, linenr_T lnum, int startrow, int endrow,
               // :sign defined with "numhl" highlight.
               char_attr = num_sattr->sat_numhl;
             } else if ((wp->w_p_cul || wp->w_p_rnu)
+                       && *wp->w_p_culopt != 'l'
                        && lnum == wp->w_cursor.lnum
                        && filler_todo == 0) {
               // When 'cursorline' is set highlight the line number of
@@ -2821,7 +2823,8 @@ static int win_line(win_T *wp, linenr_T lnum, int startrow, int endrow,
 
           if (diff_hlf != (hlf_T)0) {
             char_attr = win_hl_attr(wp, diff_hlf);
-            if (wp->w_p_cul && lnum == wp->w_cursor.lnum) {
+            if (wp->w_p_cul && lnum == wp->w_cursor.lnum
+                && *wp->w_p_culopt != 'n') {
               char_attr = hl_combine_attr(char_attr, win_hl_attr(wp, HLF_CUL));
             }
           }
@@ -2881,7 +2884,8 @@ static int win_line(win_T *wp, linenr_T lnum, int startrow, int endrow,
           if (tocol == vcol)
             tocol += n_extra;
           // Combine 'showbreak' with 'cursorline', prioritizing 'showbreak'.
-          if (wp->w_p_cul && lnum == wp->w_cursor.lnum) {
+          if (wp->w_p_cul && lnum == wp->w_cursor.lnum
+              && *wp->w_p_culopt != 'n') {
             char_attr = hl_combine_attr(win_hl_attr(wp, HLF_CUL), char_attr);
           }
         }
@@ -3116,7 +3120,8 @@ static int win_line(win_T *wp, linenr_T lnum, int startrow, int endrow,
         }
         line_attr = win_hl_attr(wp, diff_hlf);
         // Overlay CursorLine onto diff-mode highlight.
-        if (wp->w_p_cul && lnum == wp->w_cursor.lnum) {
+        if (wp->w_p_cul && lnum == wp->w_cursor.lnum
+            && *wp->w_p_culopt != 'n') {
           line_attr = 0 != line_attr_lowprio  // Low-priority CursorLine
             ? hl_combine_attr(hl_combine_attr(win_hl_attr(wp, HLF_CUL),
                                               line_attr),
@@ -3924,7 +3929,8 @@ static int win_line(win_T *wp, linenr_T lnum, int startrow, int endrow,
         }
 
         int eol_attr = char_attr;
-        if (wp->w_p_cul && lnum == wp->w_cursor.lnum) {
+        if (wp->w_p_cul && lnum == wp->w_cursor.lnum
+            && *wp->w_p_culopt != 'n') {
           eol_attr = hl_combine_attr(win_hl_attr(wp, HLF_CUL), eol_attr);
         }
         linebuf_attr[off] = eol_attr;
diff --git a/src/nvim/testdir/test_alot.vim b/src/nvim/testdir/test_alot.vim
index b5c50b5894..cc767a9bcf 100644
--- a/src/nvim/testdir/test_alot.vim
+++ b/src/nvim/testdir/test_alot.vim
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ source test_cd.vim
 source test_changedtick.vim
 source test_compiler.vim
 source test_cursor_func.vim
+source test_cursorline.vim
 source test_ex_equal.vim
 source test_ex_undo.vim
 source test_ex_z.vim
diff --git a/src/nvim/testdir/test_cursorline.vim b/src/nvim/testdir/test_cursorline.vim
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..46fbd0cd64
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/nvim/testdir/test_cursorline.vim
@@ -0,0 +1,108 @@
+" Test for cursorline and cursorlineopt
+"
+source view_util.vim
+source check.vim
+
+function! s:screen_attr(lnum) abort
+  return map(range(1, 8), 'screenattr(a:lnum, v:val)')
+endfunction
+
+function! s:test_windows(h, w) abort
+  call NewWindow(a:h, a:w)
+endfunction
+
+function! s:close_windows() abort
+  call CloseWindow()
+endfunction
+
+function! s:new_hi() abort
+  redir => save_hi
+  silent! hi CursorLineNr
+  redir END
+  let save_hi = join(split(substitute(save_hi, '\s*xxx\s*', ' ', ''), "\n"), '')
+  exe 'hi' save_hi 'ctermbg=0 guibg=Black'
+  return save_hi
+endfunction
+
+func Test_cursorline_highlight1()
+  let save_hi = s:new_hi()
+  try
+    call s:test_windows(10, 20)
+    call setline(1, repeat(['aaaa'], 10))
+    redraw
+    let attr01 = s:screen_attr(1)
+    call assert_equal(repeat([attr01[0]], 8), attr01)
+
+    setl number numberwidth=4
+    redraw
+    let attr11 = s:screen_attr(1)
+    call assert_equal(repeat([attr11[0]], 4), attr11[0:3])
+    call assert_equal(repeat([attr11[4]], 4), attr11[4:7])
+    call assert_notequal(attr11[0], attr11[4])
+
+    setl cursorline
+    redraw
+    let attr21 = s:screen_attr(1)
+    let attr22 = s:screen_attr(2)
+    call assert_equal(repeat([attr21[0]], 4), attr21[0:3])
+    call assert_equal(repeat([attr21[4]], 4), attr21[4:7])
+    call assert_equal(attr11, attr22)
+    call assert_notequal(attr22, attr21)
+
+    setl nocursorline relativenumber
+    redraw
+    let attr31 = s:screen_attr(1)
+    call assert_equal(attr21[0:3], attr31[0:3])
+    call assert_equal(attr11[4:7], attr31[4:7])
+
+    call s:close_windows()
+  finally
+    exe 'hi' save_hi
+  endtry
+endfunc
+
+func Test_cursorline_highlight2()
+  CheckOption cursorlineopt
+
+  let save_hi = s:new_hi()
+  try
+    call s:test_windows(10, 20)
+    call setline(1, repeat(['aaaa'], 10))
+    redraw
+    let attr0 = s:screen_attr(1)
+    call assert_equal(repeat([attr0[0]], 8), attr0)
+
+    setl number
+    redraw
+    let attr1 = s:screen_attr(1)
+    call assert_notequal(attr0[0:3], attr1[0:3])
+    call assert_equal(attr0[0:3], attr1[4:7])
+
+    setl cursorline cursorlineopt=both
+    redraw
+    let attr2 = s:screen_attr(1)
+    call assert_notequal(attr1[0:3], attr2[0:3])
+    call assert_notequal(attr1[4:7], attr2[4:7])
+
+    setl cursorlineopt=line
+    redraw
+    let attr3 = s:screen_attr(1)
+    call assert_equal(attr1[0:3], attr3[0:3])
+    call assert_equal(attr2[4:7], attr3[4:7])
+
+    setl cursorlineopt=number
+    redraw
+    let attr4 = s:screen_attr(1)
+    call assert_equal(attr2[0:3], attr4[0:3])
+    call assert_equal(attr1[4:7], attr4[4:7])
+
+    setl nonumber
+    redraw
+    let attr5 = s:screen_attr(1)
+    call assert_equal(attr0, attr5)
+
+    call s:close_windows()
+  finally
+    exe 'hi' save_hi
+  endtry
+endfunc