# Aligning bullet and text in itemize

I want to make the bullets in itemize to align at 0 mm (no indent). Using the enumitem package, this can be done by specifying the option [leftmargin=*]. At the same time, I would like the texts to align at 3 mm. How to do this? (I want to set this globally.)

You can use as value for labelsep the result of 3mm minus the width of a \textbullet; in the example below the last line is a "fake" item with a 3mm wide rule just to have a visual guide:

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{enumitem}

\newlength\mylen
\settowidth\mylen{\textbullet}

\begin{document}

\noindent\begin{itemize}[leftmargin=*,labelsep=-\mylen]
\item First item.
\item Second item.
\item Third item.
\end{itemize}

\noindent\rule{3mm}{1pt}Fourth item?

\end{document}


Of course, as Mico comments, these settings can be made global using something like

As Mico comments, these settings can be made global, using \setlist:

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{enumitem}

\newlength\mylen
\settowidth\mylen{\textbullet}
\setlist[itemize,1]{leftmargin=*,labelsep=-\mylen}

\begin{document}

\noindent\begin{itemize}
\item First item.
\item Second item.
\item Third item.
\end{itemize}

\end{document}

• It doesn't seem to align correctly. I need 3mm from the left margin, not from the bullet. – guest Aug 8 '13 at 3:08
• You may want to mention how this setup may be made global, e.g., via a \setlist{...} instruction. – Mico Aug 8 '13 at 3:09
• @guest you should have mentioned this initially. Anyway, the solution is easy. In a few seconds I'll give it. – Gonzalo Medina Aug 8 '13 at 3:13
• @guest please see my updated answer. – Gonzalo Medina Aug 8 '13 at 3:17
• @Mico yes, good suggestion. I have incorporated it to my answer. Thanks! – Gonzalo Medina Aug 8 '13 at 3:19