diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 676dfe7..f58eb5a 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -51,14 +51,23 @@ Some additional tips for using overtype paste:
 - I know this doesn't work like [insert editor here]. Every single freaking editor handles overtype paste differently. It's not my fault.
 - If you think you have a saner way to handle this, for the love of everything warm and cuddly, [MAKE A PULL REQUEST](https://github.com/DrMerfy/vscode-overtype/pulls).
 
-Without further ado...
 
+### Other options
+#### Paste
 ```json
 "overtype.paste": true
 ```
 
 > When in overtype mode, uses overtype behavior when pasting text.
 
+#### Hard Backspace
+```json
+"overtype.hardBackspace": true
+```
+> When in overtype mode, backspaced characters become spaces.
+
+![Basic demo](images/hard-backspace-demo.gif)
+
 ### Adjusted indicators in status bar (abbreviated, localized or none)
 
 Horizontal screen space at a premium? Have too many things in your status bar already?
diff --git a/images/hard-backspace-demo.gif b/images/hard-backspace-demo.gif
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..103329c
Binary files /dev/null and b/images/hard-backspace-demo.gif differ
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index 409bece..8533ec6 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -60,6 +60,11 @@
                     "type": "string",
                     "default": "Overtype",
                     "description": "Label text in the status bar shown during Overtype Mode, may be empty."
+                },
+                "overtype.hardBackspace": {
+                    "type": "boolean",
+                    "default": false,
+                    "description": "When in overtype mode, backspaced characters become spaces."
                 }
             }
         },
@@ -80,6 +85,11 @@
                 "key": "ctrl+shift+i",
                 "mac": "cmd+shift+i",
                 "when": "editorFocus"
+            },
+            {
+                "key": "backspace",
+                "command": "hardBackspace",
+                "when": "editorFocus"
             }
         ]
     },
diff --git a/src/behavior.ts b/src/behavior.ts
index 48f729e..2a6aa25 100644
--- a/src/behavior.ts
+++ b/src/behavior.ts
@@ -55,3 +55,26 @@ export const overtypeBeforePaste = (editor: vscode.TextEditor, text: string, pas
         }
     });
 }
+
+export const overtypeBeforeBackspace = (editor: vscode.TextEditor) => {
+    let selection = editor.selection
+    if (selection.isEmpty) {
+        // select the character to the left of the cursor
+        selection = new vscode.Selection(
+            selection.start.translate(0, -1),
+            selection.start
+        )
+    }
+
+    // replace text selection with spaces
+    const text = editor.document.getText(selection)
+    editor.edit((editBuilder) => {
+        editBuilder.replace(selection, " ".repeat(text.length))
+    })
+
+    // move the cursor to the left if the original selection was empty
+    if (editor.selection.isEmpty) {
+        const newPos = editor.selection.start.translate(0, -1)
+        editor.selection = new vscode.Selection(newPos, newPos)
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src/configuration.ts b/src/configuration.ts
index c06125c..181185a 100644
--- a/src/configuration.ts
+++ b/src/configuration.ts
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ const loadConfiguration = () => {
 
     return {
         paste: overtypeConfiguration.get<boolean>("paste"),
+        hardBackspace: overtypeConfiguration.get<boolean>("hardBackspace"),
         perEditor: overtypeConfiguration.get<boolean>("perEditor") ? true : false,
 
         labelInsertMode: overtypeConfiguration.get<string>("labelInsertMode"),
@@ -57,6 +58,7 @@ export const reloadConfiguration = () => {
     if (configuration.labelInsertMode === newConfiguration.labelInsertMode &&
         configuration.labelOvertypeMode === newConfiguration.labelOvertypeMode &&
         configuration.paste === newConfiguration.paste &&
+        configuration.hardBackspace === newConfiguration.hardBackspace &&
         configuration.perEditor === newConfiguration.perEditor &&
         configuration.defaultCursorStyle === newConfiguration.defaultCursorStyle &&
         configuration.secondaryCursorStyle === newConfiguration.secondaryCursorStyle) {
@@ -66,6 +68,7 @@ export const reloadConfiguration = () => {
     configuration.labelInsertMode = newConfiguration.labelInsertMode;
     configuration.labelOvertypeMode = newConfiguration.labelOvertypeMode;
     configuration.paste = newConfiguration.paste;
+    configuration.hardBackspace = newConfiguration.hardBackspace;
     configuration.perEditor = newConfiguration.perEditor;
     configuration.secondaryCursorStyle = newConfiguration.secondaryCursorStyle;
 
diff --git a/src/extension.ts b/src/extension.ts
index 9527ef7..541f9c9 100644
--- a/src/extension.ts
+++ b/src/extension.ts
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 import * as vscode from "vscode";
 
-import { overtypeBeforePaste, overtypeBeforeType } from "./behavior";
+import { overtypeBeforeBackspace, overtypeBeforePaste, overtypeBeforeType } from "./behavior";
 import { configuration, reloadConfiguration } from "./configuration";
 import { getMode, resetModes, toggleMode } from "./mode";
 import { createStatusBarItem, destroyStatusBarItem, updateStatusBarItem } from "./statusBarItem";
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ export const activate = (context: vscode.ExtensionContext) => {
 
         vscode.commands.registerCommand("type", typeCommand),
         vscode.commands.registerCommand("paste", pasteCommand),
+        vscode.commands.registerCommand("hardBackspace", backspaceCommand),
 
         vscode.window.onDidChangeActiveTextEditor(activeTextEditorChanged),
 
@@ -122,6 +123,18 @@ const typeCommand = (args: { text: string }) => {
     return vscode.commands.executeCommand("default:type", args);
 }
 
+const backspaceCommand = () => {
+    if (shouldPerformOvertype() && configuration.hardBackspace) {
+        const editor = vscode.window.activeTextEditor
+        if (editor) {
+            overtypeBeforeBackspace(editor)
+        }
+        return
+    }
+
+    return vscode.commands.executeCommand("deleteLeft");
+}
+
 const pasteCommand = (args: { text: string, pasteOnNewLine: boolean }) => {
     if (configuration.paste && shouldPerformOvertype()) {
         const editor = vscode.window.activeTextEditor;