diff --git a/README.txt b/README.txt
index 5e06c43..f349690 100644
--- a/README.txt
+++ b/README.txt
@@ -58,6 +58,7 @@ This mod can be configured by editing minetest.conf. Currently, the following se
     breath=0, health=1
   This places the breath bar at the left side, and the health bar to the right side.
 
+
 API:
 ----
 The API is used to add your own custom HUD bars.
diff --git a/init.lua b/init.lua
index 3971057..9c03d8e 100644
--- a/init.lua
+++ b/init.lua
@@ -22,6 +22,25 @@ hb.settings.start_offset_right = { x = 15, y = -86 }
 hb.settings.vmargin = 24
 hb.settings.tick = 0.1
 
+--[[
+- hudbars_display_mode: This setting changes the way the HUD bars are ordered on the display. You can choose
+  between a zig-zag pattern or a vertically stacked pattern.
+  The following values are allowed:
+    zigzag: Starting from the left bottom, the next is right from the first,
+              the next is above the first, the next is right of the third, etc.
+              This is the default.
+    stack_up: The HUD bars are stacked vertically, going upwards.
+    stack_down: The HUD bars are stacked vertically. going downwards.
+]]
+hb.settings.display_mode = "zigzag"
+local display_mode = minetest.setting_getbool("hudbars_display_mode")
+if display_mode ~= nil then
+	hb.settings.display_mode = display_mode
+	if display_mode ~= "zigzag" and display_mode ~= "stack_up" and display_mode ~= "stack_down" then
+		minetest.log("error", "[hudbars] Invalid value for hudbars_display_mode! Using default (zigzag).")
+	end
+end
+
 hb.settings.autohide_breath = true
 local autohide_breath = minetest.setting_getbool("hudbars_autohide_breath")
 if autohide_breath ~= nil then
@@ -75,18 +94,32 @@ function hb.register_hudbar(identifier, text_color, label, textures, default_sta
 	local pos, offset
 	local index = math.floor(hb.get_hudbar_position_index(identifier))
 	hb.registered_slots[index] = true
-	if index % 2 == 0 then
+	if hb.settings.display_mode == "stack_up" then
 		pos = hb.settings.pos_left
 		offset = {
 			x = hb.settings.start_offset_left.x,
-			y = hb.settings.start_offset_left.y - hb.settings.vmargin * (index/2)
+			y = hb.settings.start_offset_left.y - hb.settings.vmargin * index
+		}
+	elseif hb.settings.display_mode == "stack_down" then
+		pos = hb.settings.pos_left
+		offset = {
+			x = hb.settings.start_offset_left.x,
+			y = hb.settings.start_offset_left.y + hb.settings.vmargin * index
 		}
 	else
-		pos = hb.settings.pos_right
-		offset = {
-			x = hb.settings.start_offset_right.x,
-			y = hb.settings.start_offset_right.y - hb.settings.vmargin * ((index-1)/2)
-		}
+		if index % 2 == 0 then
+			pos = hb.settings.pos_left
+			offset = {
+				x = hb.settings.start_offset_left.x,
+				y = hb.settings.start_offset_left.y - hb.settings.vmargin * (index/2)
+			}
+		else
+			pos = hb.settings.pos_right
+			offset = {
+				x = hb.settings.start_offset_right.x,
+				y = hb.settings.start_offset_right.y - hb.settings.vmargin * ((index-1)/2)
+			}
+		end
 	end
 	if format_string == nil then
 		format_string = "%s: %d/%d"