diff --git a/.config/polybar/config b/.config/polybar/config
index 08a260e2..d819268b 100644
--- a/.config/polybar/config
+++ b/.config/polybar/config
@@ -72,6 +72,13 @@ format-foreground = ${colors.blue}
 
 [module/i3]
 type = internal/i3
+ws-num = 6 ; Number of workspaces to display
+show-all = true; Display all workspaces (even when there isn't a window open)
+
+; use a different color to distinguish empty workspaces from unactive workspaces:
+label-empty-foreground = ${colors.foreground-alt}
+label-empty = %icon%
+
 format = <label-state> <label-mode>
 index-sort = true
 wrapping-scroll = false