diff --git a/lib.go b/lib.go
index 9c1ff64..5185588 100644
--- a/lib.go
+++ b/lib.go
@@ -62,18 +62,17 @@ type SyntaxItem struct {
 }
 
 type Entry struct {
-	typ            int
-	text           Txt
-	titleLevel     int
-	items          []ListItem
-	definitions    []DefinitionItem
-	rows           []TableRow
-	syntax         SyntaxItem
-	wrapWidth      int
-	wrapWidthFirst int
-	indent         int
-	indentFirst    int
-	man            struct {
+	typ         int
+	text        Txt
+	titleLevel  int
+	items       []ListItem
+	definitions []DefinitionItem
+	rows        []TableRow
+	syntax      SyntaxItem
+	wrapWidth   int
+	indent      int
+	indentFirst int
+	man         struct {
 		section  int
 		date     time.Time
 		version  string
diff --git a/runoff.go b/runoff.go
index 109ff38..86aa4a0 100644
--- a/runoff.go
+++ b/runoff.go
@@ -13,21 +13,45 @@ func manPageDate(d time.Time) string {
 	return fmt.Sprintf("%v %d", d.Month(), d.Year())
 }
 
+func escapeRoffString(s string, additionalEscape ...string) string {
+	var b bytes.Buffer
+	w, f := writeWith(&b, escapeRoff(additionalEscape...))
+	write(w, s)
+	f()
+	return b.String()
+}
+
+func roffTextLength(t Txt) int {
+	var l int
+	if len(t.cat) > 0 {
+		for i, tc := range t.cat {
+			if i > 0 {
+				l++
+			}
+
+			l += roffTextLength(tc)
+		}
+
+		return l
+	}
+
+	if t.link == "" {
+		return len([]rune(t.text))
+	}
+
+	if t.text == "" {
+		return len([]rune(t.link))
+	}
+
+	return len([]rune(t.text)) + len([]rune(t.link)) + 3
+}
+
 func roffTextToString(t Txt) string {
 	var b bytes.Buffer
 	renderRoffText(&b, t)
 	return b.String()
 }
 
-func roffDefinitionNames(d []DefinitionItem) []string {
-	var n []string
-	for _, di := range d {
-		n = append(n, roffTextToString(di.name))
-	}
-
-	return n
-}
-
 func roffCellTexts(r []TableRow) [][]string {
 	var cellTexts [][]string
 	for _, row := range r {
@@ -129,90 +153,154 @@ func renderRoffParagraph(w io.Writer, e Entry) {
 }
 
 func renderRoffList(w io.Writer, e Entry) {
+	bullets := make([]string, len(e.items))
+	bulletLengths := make([]int, len(e.items))
+	for i := range e.items {
+		itemStyle := mergeItemStyles(e.items[i].style)
+		if itemStyle.noBullet {
+			continue
+		}
+
+		if itemStyle.bullet == "" {
+			bullets[i] = "\\(bu"
+			bulletLengths[i] = 1
+			continue
+		}
+
+		bullets[i] = escapeRoffString(itemStyle.bullet, " ", "\\~")
+		bulletLengths[i] = len([]rune(itemStyle.bullet))
+	}
+
+	var maxBulletLength int
+	for _, l := range bulletLengths {
+		if l > maxBulletLength {
+			maxBulletLength = l
+		}
+	}
+
+	for i := range bullets {
+		if bulletLengths[i] == maxBulletLength {
+			continue
+		}
+
+		bullets[i] = fmt.Sprintf(
+			"%s%s",
+			bullets[i],
+			timesn("\\~", maxBulletLength-bulletLengths[i]),
+		)
+	}
+
 	for i, item := range e.items {
 		if i > 0 {
 			write(w, "\n.br\n")
 		}
 
-		var (
-			bullet       string
-			bulletIndent int
-		)
-
-		itemStyle := mergeItemStyles(item.style)
-		if !itemStyle.noBullet {
-			if itemStyle.bullet == "" {
-				bullet = "\\(bu "
-				bulletIndent = 2
-			} else {
-				bullet = itemStyle.bullet + " "
-				bulletIndent = len([]rune(bullet))
-			}
+		indent := e.indent
+		if maxBulletLength > 0 {
+			indent += maxBulletLength + 1
+		}
+
+		write(w, ".in ", indent, "\n.ti ", e.indent+e.indentFirst, "\n")
+		write(w, bullets[i])
+		if maxBulletLength > 0 {
+			write(w, "\\~")
 		}
 
-		write(w, ".in ", e.indent+bulletIndent, "\n.ti ", e.indent+e.indentFirst, "\n")
-		write(w, bullet)
 		renderRoffText(w, item.text)
 	}
 }
 
 func renderRoffNumberedList(w io.Writer, e Entry) {
-	maxDigits := numDigits(len(e.items))
-	for i, item := range e.items {
-		if i > 0 {
-			write(w, "\n.br\n")
-		}
-
-		write(w, ".in ", e.indent+maxDigits+2, "\n.ti ", e.indent+e.indentFirst, "\n")
-		write(w, padRight(fmt.Sprintf("%d.", i+1), maxDigits+2))
-		renderRoffText(w, item.text)
+	items := make([]ListItem, len(e.items))
+	for i := range e.items {
+		items[i] = Item(
+			e.items[i].text,
+			append(e.items[i].style, Bullet(fmt.Sprintf("%d.", i+1)))...,
+		)
 	}
+
+	e.typ = list
+	e.items = items
+	renderRoffList(w, e)
 }
 
 func renderRoffDefinitions(w io.Writer, e Entry) {
-	names := roffDefinitionNames(e.definitions)
-	maxNameLength := maxLength(names)
+	itemStyles := make([]ItemStyle, len(e.definitions))
+	for i := range e.definitions {
+		itemStyles[i] = mergeItemStyles(e.definitions[i].style)
+	}
+
+	bullets := make([]string, len(itemStyles))
+	bulletLengths := make([]int, len(itemStyles))
+	for i := range itemStyles {
+		if itemStyles[i].noBullet {
+			continue
+		}
+
+		if itemStyles[i].bullet == "" {
+			bullets[i] = "\\(bu"
+			bulletLengths[i] = 1
+			continue
+		}
+
+		bullets[i] = escapeRoffString(itemStyles[i].bullet, " ", "\\~")
+		bulletLengths[i] = len([]rune(itemStyles[i].bullet))
+	}
+
+	var maxBulletLength int
+	for i := range bulletLengths {
+		if bulletLengths[i] > maxBulletLength {
+			maxBulletLength = bulletLengths[i]
+		}
+	}
+
+	nameLengths := make([]int, len(e.definitions))
+	for i := range e.definitions {
+		nameLengths[i] = roffTextLength(e.definitions[i].name)
+	}
+
+	var maxNameLength int
+	for i := range nameLengths {
+		if nameLengths[i] > maxNameLength {
+			maxNameLength = nameLengths[i]
+		}
+	}
+
 	for i, definition := range e.definitions {
 		if i > 0 {
 			write(w, "\n.br\n")
 		}
 
-		var bullet string
-		padLength := 2
-		itemStyle := mergeItemStyles(definition.style)
-		if !itemStyle.noBullet {
-			if itemStyle.bullet == "" {
-				bullet = "\\(bu "
-				padLength = 4
-			} else {
-				bullet = itemStyle.bullet + " "
-				padLength = len([]rune(bullet)) + 2
-			}
+		indent := e.indent + maxNameLength + 2
+		if maxBulletLength > 0 {
+			indent += maxBulletLength + 1
+		}
+
+		write(w, ".in ", indent, "\n.ti ", e.indent+e.indentFirst, "\n")
+		write(w, bullets[i])
+		if maxBulletLength > 0 {
+			write(w, timesn("\\~", maxBulletLength-bulletLengths[i]+1))
 		}
 
-		write(w, ".in ", e.indent+maxNameLength+padLength, "\n.ti ", e.indent+e.indentFirst, "\n")
-		write(w, bullet)
 		renderRoffText(w, definition.name)
-		write(w, ":", timesn("\\~", maxNameLength-len([]rune(names[i]))+1))
+		write(w, ":", timesn("\\~", maxNameLength-nameLengths[i]+1))
 		renderRoffText(w, definition.value)
 	}
 }
 
 func renderRoffNumberedDefinitions(w io.Writer, e Entry) {
-	maxDigits := numDigits(len(e.definitions))
-	names := roffDefinitionNames(e.definitions)
-	maxNameLength := maxLength(names)
-	for i, definition := range e.definitions {
-		if i > 0 {
-			write(w, "\n.br\n")
-		}
-
-		write(w, ".in ", e.indent+maxDigits+maxNameLength+4, "\n.ti ", e.indent+e.indentFirst, "\n")
-		write(w, padRight(fmt.Sprintf("%d.", i+1), maxDigits+2))
-		renderRoffText(w, definition.name)
-		write(w, ":", timesn("\\~", maxNameLength-len([]rune(names[i]))+1))
-		renderRoffText(w, definition.value)
+	defs := make([]DefinitionItem, len(e.definitions))
+	for i := range e.definitions {
+		defs[i] = Definition(
+			e.definitions[i].name,
+			e.definitions[i].value,
+			append(e.definitions[i].style, Bullet(fmt.Sprintf("%d.", i+1)))...,
+		)
 	}
+
+	e.typ = definitions
+	e.definitions = defs
+	renderRoffDefinitions(w, e)
 }
 
 func renderRoffTable(w io.Writer, e Entry) {
diff --git a/runoff_test.go b/runoff_test.go
index 0fffc16..9ebf358 100644
--- a/runoff_test.go
+++ b/runoff_test.go
@@ -144,39 +144,39 @@ textfmt supports the following entries:
 .sp 1v
 .in 2
 .ti 0
-\(bu CodeBlock
+\(bu\~CodeBlock
 .br
 .in 2
 .ti 0
-\(bu DefinitionList
+\(bu\~DefinitionList
 .br
 .in 2
 .ti 0
-\(bu List
+\(bu\~List
 .br
 .in 2
 .ti 0
-\(bu NumberedDefinitionList
+\(bu\~NumberedDefinitionList
 .br
 .in 2
 .ti 0
-\(bu NumberedList
+\(bu\~NumberedList
 .br
 .in 2
 .ti 0
-\(bu Paragraph
+\(bu\~Paragraph
 .br
 .in 2
 .ti 0
-\(bu Syntax
+\(bu\~Syntax
 .br
 .in 2
 .ti 0
-\(bu Table
+\(bu\~Table
 .br
 .in 2
 .ti 0
-\(bu Title
+\(bu\~Title
 .br
 .sp 1v
 .in 0
@@ -186,39 +186,39 @@ textfmt supports the following entries:
 .sp 1v
 .in 26
 .ti 0
-\(bu CodeBlock:\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~a multiline block of code
+\(bu\~CodeBlock:\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~a multiline block of code
 .br
 .in 26
 .ti 0
-\(bu DefinitionList:\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~a list of definitions like this one
+\(bu\~DefinitionList:\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~a list of definitions like this one
 .br
 .in 26
 .ti 0
-\(bu List:\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~a list of items
+\(bu\~List:\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~a list of items
 .br
 .in 26
 .ti 0
-\(bu NumberedDefinitionList:\~numbered definitions
+\(bu\~NumberedDefinitionList:\~numbered definitions
 .br
 .in 26
 .ti 0
-\(bu NumberedList:\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~numbered list
+\(bu\~NumberedList:\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~numbered list
 .br
 .in 26
 .ti 0
-\(bu Paragraph:\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~paragraph of text
+\(bu\~Paragraph:\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~paragraph of text
 .br
 .in 26
 .ti 0
-\(bu Syntax:\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~a syntax expression
+\(bu\~Syntax:\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~a syntax expression
 .br
 .in 26
 .ti 0
-\(bu Table:\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~a table
+\(bu\~Table:\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~a table
 .br
 .in 26
 .ti 0
-\(bu Title:\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~a title
+\(bu\~Title:\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~a title
 `
 
 		if b.String() != expect {
@@ -354,39 +354,39 @@ textfmt supports the following entries:
 .sp 1v
 .in 2
 .ti 0
-\(bu CodeBlock
+\(bu\~CodeBlock
 .br
 .in 2
 .ti 0
-\(bu DefinitionList
+\(bu\~DefinitionList
 .br
 .in 2
 .ti 0
-\(bu List
+\(bu\~List
 .br
 .in 2
 .ti 0
-\(bu NumberedDefinitionList
+\(bu\~NumberedDefinitionList
 .br
 .in 2
 .ti 0
-\(bu NumberedList
+\(bu\~NumberedList
 .br
 .in 2
 .ti 0
-\(bu Paragraph
+\(bu\~Paragraph
 .br
 .in 2
 .ti 0
-\(bu Syntax
+\(bu\~Syntax
 .br
 .in 2
 .ti 0
-\(bu Table
+\(bu\~Table
 .br
 .in 2
 .ti 0
-\(bu Title
+\(bu\~Title
 .br
 .sp 1v
 .in 0
@@ -396,39 +396,39 @@ textfmt supports the following entries:
 .sp 1v
 .in 26
 .ti 0
-\(bu CodeBlock:\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~a multiline block of code
+\(bu\~CodeBlock:\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~a multiline block of code
 .br
 .in 26
 .ti 0
-\(bu DefinitionList:\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~a list of definitions like this one
+\(bu\~DefinitionList:\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~a list of definitions like this one
 .br
 .in 26
 .ti 0
-\(bu List:\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~a list of items
+\(bu\~List:\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~a list of items
 .br
 .in 26
 .ti 0
-\(bu NumberedDefinitionList:\~numbered definitions
+\(bu\~NumberedDefinitionList:\~numbered definitions
 .br
 .in 26
 .ti 0
-\(bu NumberedList:\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~numbered list
+\(bu\~NumberedList:\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~numbered list
 .br
 .in 26
 .ti 0
-\(bu Paragraph:\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~paragraph of text
+\(bu\~Paragraph:\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~paragraph of text
 .br
 .in 26
 .ti 0
-\(bu Syntax:\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~a syntax expression
+\(bu\~Syntax:\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~a syntax expression
 .br
 .in 26
 .ti 0
-\(bu Table:\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~a table
+\(bu\~Table:\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~a table
 .br
 .in 26
 .ti 0
-\(bu Title:\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~a title
+\(bu\~Title:\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~a title
 `
 
 		if b.String() != expect {
@@ -781,15 +781,15 @@ This is a paragraph.
 
 			const expect = `.in 2
 .ti 0
-\(bu this is an item
+\(bu\~this is an item
 .br
 .in 2
 .ti 0
-\(bu this is another item
+\(bu\~this is another item
 .br
 .in 2
 .ti 0
-\(bu this is a third item
+\(bu\~this is a third item
 `
 
 			if b.String() != expect {
@@ -817,15 +817,15 @@ This is a paragraph.
 
 			const expect = `.in 6
 .ti 4
-\(bu this is an item
+\(bu\~this is an item
 .br
 .in 6
 .ti 4
-\(bu this is another item
+\(bu\~this is another item
 .br
 .in 6
 .ti 4
-\(bu this is a third item
+\(bu\~this is a third item
 `
 
 			if b.String() != expect {
@@ -853,15 +853,15 @@ This is a paragraph.
 
 			const expect = `.in 0
 .ti 4
-\(bu this is an item
+\(bu\~this is an item
 .br
 .in 0
 .ti 4
-\(bu this is another item
+\(bu\~this is another item
 .br
 .in 0
 .ti 4
-\(bu this is a third item
+\(bu\~this is a third item
 `
 
 			if b.String() != expect {
@@ -889,15 +889,15 @@ This is a paragraph.
 
 			const expect = `.in 4
 .ti 0
-\(bu this is an item
+\(bu\~this is an item
 .br
 .in 4
 .ti 0
-\(bu this is another item
+\(bu\~this is another item
 .br
 .in 4
 .ti 0
-\(bu this is a third item
+\(bu\~this is a third item
 `
 
 			if b.String() != expect {
@@ -922,15 +922,15 @@ This is a paragraph.
 			const expect = `
 .in 2
 .ti 0
-* foo bar baz
+*\~foo bar baz
 .br
 .in 2
 .ti 0
-* qux
+*\~qux
 .br
 .in 2
 .ti 0
-* quux
+*\~quux
 `
 
 			if "\n"+b.String() != expect {
@@ -955,15 +955,15 @@ This is a paragraph.
 			const expect = `
 .in 3
 .ti 0
-=> foo bar baz
+=>\~foo bar baz
 .br
 .in 3
 .ti 0
-=> qux
+=>\~qux
 .br
 .in 3
 .ti 0
-=> quux
+=>\~quux
 `
 
 			if "\n"+b.String() != expect {
@@ -997,6 +997,72 @@ qux
 .in 0
 .ti 0
 quux
+`
+
+			if "\n"+b.String() != expect {
+				t.Fatal("\n" + b.String())
+			}
+		})
+
+		t.Run("varying bullet length", func(t *testing.T) {
+			doc := textfmt.Doc(
+				textfmt.List(
+					textfmt.Item(textfmt.Text("foo bar baz"), textfmt.Bullet("=>")),
+					textfmt.Item(textfmt.Text("qux"), textfmt.Bullet("==>")),
+					textfmt.Item(textfmt.Text("quux"), textfmt.Bullet("=>")),
+				),
+			)
+
+			var b bytes.Buffer
+			if err := textfmt.Runoff(&b, doc); err != nil {
+				t.Fatal(err)
+			}
+
+			const expect = `
+.in 4
+.ti 0
+=>\~\~foo bar baz
+.br
+.in 4
+.ti 0
+==>\~qux
+.br
+.in 4
+.ti 0
+=>\~\~quux
+`
+
+			if "\n"+b.String() != expect {
+				t.Fatal("\n" + b.String())
+			}
+		})
+
+		t.Run("escape custom bullet", func(t *testing.T) {
+			doc := textfmt.Doc(
+				textfmt.List(
+					textfmt.Item(textfmt.Text("foo bar baz"), textfmt.Bullet(".>")),
+					textfmt.Item(textfmt.Text("qux"), textfmt.Bullet("=>")),
+					textfmt.Item(textfmt.Text("quux"), textfmt.Bullet("=>")),
+				),
+			)
+
+			var b bytes.Buffer
+			if err := textfmt.Runoff(&b, doc); err != nil {
+				t.Fatal(err)
+			}
+
+			const expect = `
+.in 3
+.ti 0
+\&.>\~foo bar baz
+.br
+.in 3
+.ti 0
+=>\~qux
+.br
+.in 3
+.ti 0
+=>\~quux
 `
 
 			if "\n"+b.String() != expect {
@@ -1241,15 +1307,15 @@ quux
 
 			const expect = `.in 9
 .ti 0
-\(bu red:\~\~\~looks like strawberry
+\(bu\~red:\~\~\~looks like strawberry
 .br
 .in 9
 .ti 0
-\(bu green:\~looks like grass
+\(bu\~green:\~looks like grass
 .br
 .in 9
 .ti 0
-\(bu blue:\~\~looks like sky
+\(bu\~blue:\~\~looks like sky
 `
 
 			if b.String() != expect {
@@ -1277,15 +1343,15 @@ quux
 
 			const expect = `.in 13
 .ti 4
-\(bu red:\~\~\~looks like strawberry
+\(bu\~red:\~\~\~looks like strawberry
 .br
 .in 13
 .ti 4
-\(bu green:\~looks like grass
+\(bu\~green:\~looks like grass
 .br
 .in 13
 .ti 4
-\(bu blue:\~\~looks like sky
+\(bu\~blue:\~\~looks like sky
 `
 
 			if b.String() != expect {
@@ -1314,15 +1380,15 @@ quux
 			const expect = `
 .in 3
 .ti 3
-\(bu red:\~\~\~looks like strawberry
+\(bu\~red:\~\~\~looks like strawberry
 .br
 .in 3
 .ti 3
-\(bu green:\~looks like grass
+\(bu\~green:\~looks like grass
 .br
 .in 3
 .ti 3
-\(bu blue:\~\~looks like sky
+\(bu\~blue:\~\~looks like sky
 `
 
 			if "\n"+b.String() != expect {
@@ -1351,15 +1417,15 @@ quux
 			const expect = `
 .in 13
 .ti 0
-\(bu red:\~\~\~looks like strawberry
+\(bu\~red:\~\~\~looks like strawberry
 .br
 .in 13
 .ti 0
-\(bu green:\~looks like grass
+\(bu\~green:\~looks like grass
 .br
 .in 13
 .ti 0
-\(bu blue:\~\~looks like sky
+\(bu\~blue:\~\~looks like sky
 `
 
 			if "\n"+b.String() != expect {
@@ -1396,15 +1462,15 @@ quux
 			const expect = `
 .in 9
 .ti 0
-* one:\~\~\~foo bar baz
+*\~one:\~\~\~foo bar baz
 .br
 .in 9
 .ti 0
-* two:\~\~\~qux
+*\~two:\~\~\~qux
 .br
 .in 9
 .ti 0
-* three:\~quux
+*\~three:\~quux
 `
 
 			if "\n"+b.String() != expect {
@@ -1441,15 +1507,15 @@ quux
 			const expect = `
 .in 10
 .ti 0
-=> one:\~\~\~foo bar baz
+=>\~one:\~\~\~foo bar baz
 .br
 .in 10
 .ti 0
-=> two:\~\~\~qux
+=>\~two:\~\~\~qux
 .br
 .in 10
 .ti 0
-=> three:\~quux
+=>\~three:\~quux
 `
 
 			if "\n"+b.String() != expect {
@@ -1495,6 +1561,96 @@ two:\~\~\~qux
 .in 7
 .ti 0
 three:\~quux
+`
+
+			if "\n"+b.String() != expect {
+				t.Fatal("\n" + b.String())
+			}
+		})
+
+		t.Run("varying bullet length", func(t *testing.T) {
+			doc := textfmt.Doc(
+				textfmt.DefinitionList(
+					textfmt.Definition(
+						textfmt.Text("one"),
+						textfmt.Text("foo bar baz"),
+						textfmt.Bullet("=>"),
+					),
+					textfmt.Definition(
+						textfmt.Text("two"),
+						textfmt.Text("qux"),
+						textfmt.Bullet("==>"),
+					),
+					textfmt.Definition(
+						textfmt.Text("three"),
+						textfmt.Text("quux"),
+						textfmt.Bullet("=>"),
+					),
+				),
+			)
+
+			var b bytes.Buffer
+			if err := textfmt.Runoff(&b, doc); err != nil {
+				t.Fatal(err)
+			}
+
+			const expect = `
+.in 11
+.ti 0
+=>\~\~one:\~\~\~foo bar baz
+.br
+.in 11
+.ti 0
+==>\~two:\~\~\~qux
+.br
+.in 11
+.ti 0
+=>\~\~three:\~quux
+`
+
+			if "\n"+b.String() != expect {
+				t.Fatal("\n" + b.String())
+			}
+		})
+
+		t.Run("escape custom bullet", func(t *testing.T) {
+			doc := textfmt.Doc(
+				textfmt.DefinitionList(
+					textfmt.Definition(
+						textfmt.Text("one"),
+						textfmt.Text("foo bar baz"),
+						textfmt.Bullet(".>"),
+					),
+					textfmt.Definition(
+						textfmt.Text("two"),
+						textfmt.Text("qux"),
+						textfmt.Bullet("=>"),
+					),
+					textfmt.Definition(
+						textfmt.Text("three"),
+						textfmt.Text("quux"),
+						textfmt.Bullet("=>"),
+					),
+				),
+			)
+
+			var b bytes.Buffer
+			if err := textfmt.Runoff(&b, doc); err != nil {
+				t.Fatal(err)
+			}
+
+			const expect = `
+.in 10
+.ti 0
+\&.>\~one:\~\~\~foo bar baz
+.br
+.in 10
+.ti 0
+=>\~two:\~\~\~qux
+.br
+.in 10
+.ti 0
+=>\~three:\~quux
 `
 
 			if "\n"+b.String() != expect {
diff --git a/teletype.go b/teletype.go
index 8bbbe00..c177e5d 100644
--- a/teletype.go
+++ b/teletype.go
@@ -65,11 +65,10 @@ func renderTTYTitle(w io.Writer, e Entry) {
 func renderTTYParagraph(w io.Writer, e Entry) {
 	var indentation wrapper
 	indentFirst := e.indent + e.indentFirst
-	wrapWidthFirst := e.wrapWidth + e.wrapWidthFirst
 	if e.wrapWidth == 0 {
 		indentation = indent(indentFirst, e.indent)
 	} else {
-		indentation = wrapIndent(indentFirst, e.indent, wrapWidthFirst, e.wrapWidth)
+		indentation = wrapIndent(indentFirst, e.indent, e.wrapWidth, e.wrapWidth)
 	}
 
 	w, f := writeWith(w, indentation)
@@ -78,95 +77,111 @@ func renderTTYParagraph(w io.Writer, e Entry) {
 }
 
 func renderTTYList(w io.Writer, e Entry) {
-	for i, item := range e.items {
-		if i > 0 {
-			write(w, "\n")
-		}
-
-		var p Entry
+	var bullets []string
+	for _, item := range e.items {
 		itemStyle := mergeItemStyles(item.style)
 		if itemStyle.noBullet {
-			p = itemToParagraph(e, item.text)
+			bullets = append(bullets, "")
 		} else {
 			bullet := "-"
 			if itemStyle.bullet != "" {
 				bullet = itemStyle.bullet
 			}
 
-			p = itemToParagraph(e, item.text, bullet)
+			bullets = append(bullets, bullet)
 		}
-
-		renderTTYParagraph(w, p)
 	}
-}
 
-func renderTTYNumberedList(w io.Writer, e Entry) {
-	maxDigits := numDigits(len(e.items))
+	maxBulletLength := maxLength(bullets)
+	for i := range bullets {
+		bullets[i] = padRight(bullets[i], maxBulletLength)
+	}
+
 	for i, item := range e.items {
 		if i > 0 {
 			write(w, "\n")
 		}
 
-		p := itemToParagraph(e, item.text, padRight(fmt.Sprintf("%d.", i+1), maxDigits+1))
+		p := itemToParagraph(e, item.text, bullets[i])
 		renderTTYParagraph(w, p)
 	}
 }
 
+func renderTTYNumberedList(w io.Writer, e Entry) {
+	var items []ListItem
+	for i, item := range e.items {
+		items = append(
+			items,
+			Item(
+				item.text,
+				append(item.style, Bullet(fmt.Sprintf("%d.", i+1)))...,
+			),
+		)
+	}
+
+	e.typ = list
+	e.items = items
+	renderTTYList(w, e)
+}
+
 func renderTTYDefinitions(w io.Writer, e Entry) {
-	names := ttyDefinitionNames(e.definitions)
-	maxNameLength := maxLength(names)
-	for i, definition := range e.definitions {
-		if i > 0 {
-			write(w, "\n")
-		}
-
-		var bullet string
-		padLength := 1
-		itemStyle := mergeItemStyles(definition.style)
-		if !itemStyle.noBullet {
-			if itemStyle.bullet == "" {
-				bullet = "- "
-				padLength = 3
-			} else {
-				bullet = itemStyle.bullet + " "
-				padLength = len([]rune(bullet)) + 1
-			}
-		}
-
-		p := itemToParagraph(
-			e,
-			definition.value,
-			padRight(fmt.Sprintf("%s%s:", bullet, names[i]), maxNameLength+padLength),
-		)
-
-		renderTTYParagraph(w, p)
+	itemStyles := make([]ItemStyle, len(e.definitions))
+	for i := range e.definitions {
+		itemStyles[i] = mergeItemStyles(e.definitions[i].style)
 	}
+
+	bullets := make([]string, len(e.definitions))
+	for i := range e.definitions {
+		if itemStyles[i].noBullet {
+			continue
+		}
+
+		if itemStyles[i].bullet == "" {
+			bullets[i] = "-"
+			continue
+		}
+
+		bullets[i] = itemStyles[i].bullet
+	}
+
+	maxBulletLength := maxLength(bullets)
+	items := make([]ListItem, len(e.definitions))
+	for i := range e.definitions {
+		var bullet string
+		if maxBulletLength == 0 {
+			bullet = fmt.Sprintf("%s:", ttyTextToString(e.definitions[i].name))
+		} else {
+			bullet = fmt.Sprintf(
+				"%s %s:",
+				padRight(bullets[i], maxBulletLength),
+				ttyTextToString(e.definitions[i].name),
+			)
+		}
+
+		items[i] = Item(e.definitions[i].value, Bullet(bullet))
+	}
+
+	e.typ = list
+	e.items = items
+	renderTTYList(w, e)
 }
 
 func renderTTYNumberedDefinitions(w io.Writer, e Entry) {
-	names := ttyDefinitionNames(e.definitions)
-	maxNameLength := maxLength(names)
-	maxDigits := numDigits(len(e.definitions))
+	var defs []DefinitionItem
 	for i, definition := range e.definitions {
-		if i > 0 {
-			write(w, "\n")
-		}
-
-		p := itemToParagraph(
-			e,
-			definition.value,
-			padRight(
-				fmt.Sprintf(
-					"%s %s:",
-					padRight(fmt.Sprintf("%d.", i+1), maxDigits+1),
-					names[i],
-				),
-				maxNameLength+maxDigits+3,
+		defs = append(
+			defs,
+			Definition(
+				definition.name,
+				definition.value,
+				append(definition.style, Bullet(fmt.Sprintf("%d.", i+1)))...,
 			),
 		)
-
-		renderTTYParagraph(w, p)
 	}
+
+	e.typ = definitions
+	e.definitions = defs
+	renderTTYDefinitions(w, e)
 }
 
 func ttyCellTexts(rows []TableRow) [][]string {
diff --git a/teletype_test.go b/teletype_test.go
index 9bb90f8..d8295b8 100644
--- a/teletype_test.go
+++ b/teletype_test.go
@@ -724,6 +724,65 @@ foo bar
 baz
 qux
 quux
+`
+
+			if "\n"+b.String() != expect {
+				t.Fatal("\n" + b.String())
+			}
+		})
+
+		t.Run("varying length bullets", func(t *testing.T) {
+			doc := textfmt.Doc(
+				textfmt.Wrap(
+					textfmt.List(
+						textfmt.Item(textfmt.Text("foo bar baz"), textfmt.Bullet("=>")),
+						textfmt.Item(textfmt.Text("qux"), textfmt.Bullet("==>")),
+						textfmt.Item(textfmt.Text("quux"), textfmt.Bullet("=>")),
+					),
+					10,
+				),
+			)
+
+			var b bytes.Buffer
+			if err := textfmt.Teletype(&b, doc); err != nil {
+				t.Fatal(err)
+			}
+
+			const expect = `
+=>  foo
+    bar
+    baz
+==> qux
+=>  quux
+`
+
+			if "\n"+b.String() != expect {
+				t.Fatal("\n" + b.String())
+			}
+		})
+
+		t.Run("escape custom bullet", func(t *testing.T) {
+			doc := textfmt.Doc(
+				textfmt.Wrap(
+					textfmt.List(
+						textfmt.Item(textfmt.Text("foo bar baz"), textfmt.Bullet("\x00>")),
+						textfmt.Item(textfmt.Text("qux"), textfmt.Bullet("=>")),
+						textfmt.Item(textfmt.Text("quux"), textfmt.Bullet("=>")),
+					),
+					10,
+				),
+			)
+
+			var b bytes.Buffer
+			if err := textfmt.Teletype(&b, doc); err != nil {
+				t.Fatal(err)
+			}
+
+			const expect = `
+·> foo bar
+   baz
+=> qux
+=> quux
 `
 
 			if "\n"+b.String() != expect {
@@ -1193,6 +1252,88 @@ one:   foo bar
        baz
 two:   qux
 three: quux
+`
+
+			if "\n"+b.String() != expect {
+				t.Fatal("\n" + b.String())
+			}
+		})
+
+		t.Run("varying length bullets", func(t *testing.T) {
+			doc := textfmt.Doc(
+				textfmt.Wrap(
+					textfmt.DefinitionList(
+						textfmt.Definition(
+							textfmt.Text("one"),
+							textfmt.Text("foo bar baz"),
+							textfmt.Bullet("=>"),
+						),
+						textfmt.Definition(
+							textfmt.Text("two"),
+							textfmt.Text("qux"),
+							textfmt.Bullet("==>"),
+						),
+						textfmt.Definition(
+							textfmt.Text("three"),
+							textfmt.Text("quux"),
+							textfmt.Bullet("=>"),
+						),
+					),
+					18,
+				),
+			)
+
+			var b bytes.Buffer
+			if err := textfmt.Teletype(&b, doc); err != nil {
+				t.Fatal(err)
+			}
+
+			const expect = `
+=>  one:   foo bar
+           baz
+==> two:   qux
+=>  three: quux
+`
+
+			if "\n"+b.String() != expect {
+				t.Fatal("\n" + b.String())
+			}
+		})
+
+		t.Run("escape custom bullet", func(t *testing.T) {
+			doc := textfmt.Doc(
+				textfmt.Wrap(
+					textfmt.DefinitionList(
+						textfmt.Definition(
+							textfmt.Text("one"),
+							textfmt.Text("foo bar baz"),
+							textfmt.Bullet("\x00>"),
+						),
+						textfmt.Definition(
+							textfmt.Text("two"),
+							textfmt.Text("qux"),
+							textfmt.Bullet("=>"),
+						),
+						textfmt.Definition(
+							textfmt.Text("three"),
+							textfmt.Text("quux"),
+							textfmt.Bullet("=>"),
+						),
+					),
+					18,
+				),
+			)
+
+			var b bytes.Buffer
+			if err := textfmt.Teletype(&b, doc); err != nil {
+				t.Fatal(err)
+			}
+
+			const expect = `
+·> one:   foo bar
+          baz
+=> two:   qux
+=> three: quux
 `
 
 			if "\n"+b.String() != expect {
diff --git a/text.go b/text.go
index ec5de6c..ab471ea 100644
--- a/text.go
+++ b/text.go
@@ -60,11 +60,19 @@ func itemToParagraph(list Entry, itemText Txt, prefix ...string) Entry {
 
 	var prefixLength int
 	for _, p := range prefix {
+		if len(p) == 0 {
+			continue
+		}
+
 		prefixLength += len([]rune(p)) + 1
 	}
 
 	var prefixText []Txt
 	for _, p := range prefix {
+		if len(p) == 0 {
+			continue
+		}
+
 		prefixText = append(prefixText, Text(p))
 	}