---
title: no-multiple-empty-lines - Rules
layout: doc
---
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# disallow multiple empty lines (no-multiple-empty-lines)

(fixable) The `--fix` option on the [command line](../user-guide/command-line-interface#fix) can automatically fix some of the problems reported by this rule.

Some developers prefer to have multiple blank lines removed, while others feel that it helps improve readability. Whitespace is useful for separating logical sections of code, but excess whitespace takes up more of the screen.

## Rule Details

This rule aims to reduce the scrolling required when reading through your code. It will warn when the maximum amount of empty lines has been exceeded.

## Options

This rule has an object option:

* `"max"` (default: `2`) enforces a maximum number of consecutive empty lines.
* `"maxEOF"` enforces a maximum number of consecutive empty lines at the end of files.
* `"maxBOF"` enforces a maximum number of consecutive empty lines at the beginning of files.

### max

Examples of **incorrect** code for this rule with the default `{ "max": 2 }` option:

```js
/*eslint no-multiple-empty-lines: "error"*/

var foo = 5;



var bar = 3;
```

Examples of **correct** code for this rule with the default `{ "max": 2 }` option:

```js
/*eslint no-multiple-empty-lines: "error"*/

var foo = 5;


var bar = 3;
```

### maxEOF

Examples of **incorrect** code for this rule with the `{ max: 2, maxEOF: 1 }` options:

```js
/*eslint no-multiple-empty-lines: ["error", { "max": 2, "maxEOF": 1 }]*/

var foo = 5;


var bar = 3;


```

Examples of **correct** code for this rule with the `{ max: 2, maxEOF: 1 }` options:

```js
/*eslint no-multiple-empty-lines: ["error", { "max": 2, "maxEOF": 1 }]*/

var foo = 5;


var bar = 3;

```

### maxBOF

Examples of **incorrect** code for this rule with the `{ max: 2, maxBOF: 1 }` options:

```js
/*eslint no-multiple-empty-lines: ["error", { "max": 2, "maxBOF": 1 }]*/


var foo = 5;


var bar = 3;
```

Examples of **correct** code for this rule with the `{ max: 2, maxBOF: 1 }` options:

```js
/*eslint no-multiple-empty-lines: ["error", { "max": 2, "maxBOF": 1}]*/

var foo = 5;


var bar = 3;
```

## When Not To Use It

If you do not care about extra blank lines, turn this off.

## Version

This rule was introduced in ESLint 0.9.0.

## Resources

* [Rule source](https://github.com/eslint/eslint/tree/master/lib/rules/no-multiple-empty-lines.js)
* [Documentation source](https://github.com/eslint/eslint/tree/master/docs/rules/no-multiple-empty-lines.md)
