diff --git a/include/sway/commands.h b/include/sway/commands.h
index d39ac56ca..8d5e7e742 100644
--- a/include/sway/commands.h
+++ b/include/sway/commands.h
@@ -111,6 +111,7 @@ sway_cmd cmd_for_window;
 sway_cmd cmd_force_focus_wrapping;
 sway_cmd cmd_fullscreen;
 sway_cmd cmd_gaps;
+sway_cmd cmd_hide_cursor;
 sway_cmd cmd_hide_edge_borders;
 sway_cmd cmd_include;
 sway_cmd cmd_input;
diff --git a/include/sway/config.h b/include/sway/config.h
index f77c3b503..bc2b31c58 100644
--- a/include/sway/config.h
+++ b/include/sway/config.h
@@ -341,6 +341,8 @@ struct sway_config {
 	int floating_border_thickness;
 	enum edge_border_types hide_edge_borders;
 
+	int hide_cursor_timeout;
+
 	// border colors
 	struct {
 		struct border_colors focused;
diff --git a/include/sway/input/cursor.h b/include/sway/input/cursor.h
index 20c1c9038..e8f977b21 100644
--- a/include/sway/input/cursor.h
+++ b/include/sway/input/cursor.h
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 #ifndef _SWAY_INPUT_CURSOR_H
 #define _SWAY_INPUT_CURSOR_H
 #include <stdint.h>
+#include <stdbool.h>
+#include <wlr/types/wlr_surface.h>
 #include "sway/input/seat.h"
 
 struct sway_cursor {
@@ -9,6 +11,8 @@ struct sway_cursor {
 	struct wlr_xcursor_manager *xcursor_manager;
 
 	struct wl_client *image_client;
+	struct wlr_surface *image_surface;
+	int hotspot_x, hotspot_y;
 
 	struct wl_listener motion;
 	struct wl_listener motion_absolute;
@@ -25,6 +29,9 @@ struct sway_cursor {
 	uint32_t tool_buttons;
 
 	struct wl_listener request_set_cursor;
+
+	struct wl_event_source *hide_source;
+	bool hidden;
 };
 
 void sway_cursor_destroy(struct sway_cursor *cursor);
diff --git a/sway/commands.c b/sway/commands.c
index 60c647768..6c799d398 100644
--- a/sway/commands.c
+++ b/sway/commands.c
@@ -109,6 +109,7 @@ static struct cmd_handler handlers[] = {
 	{ "font", cmd_font },
 	{ "for_window", cmd_for_window },
 	{ "fullscreen", cmd_fullscreen },
+	{ "hide_cursor", cmd_hide_cursor },
 	{ "hide_edge_borders", cmd_hide_edge_borders },
 	{ "include", cmd_include },
 	{ "input", cmd_input },
diff --git a/sway/commands/hide_cursor.c b/sway/commands/hide_cursor.c
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..9d136840d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/sway/commands/hide_cursor.c
@@ -0,0 +1,29 @@
+#define _POSIX_C_SOURCE 200809L
+#include <string.h>
+#include <wayland-util.h>
+#include "sway/commands.h"
+#include "sway/config.h"
+#include "sway/input/input-manager.h"
+#include "sway/input/seat.h"
+#include "log.h"
+#include "stringop.h"
+
+struct cmd_results *cmd_hide_cursor(int argc, char **argv) {
+	struct cmd_results *error = NULL;
+	if ((error = checkarg(argc, "hide_cursor", EXPECTED_EQUAL_TO, 1))) {
+		return error;
+	}
+
+	char *end;
+	config->hide_cursor_timeout = strtol(argv[0], &end, 10);
+	if (*end) {
+		config->hide_cursor_timeout = 0;
+		return cmd_results_new(CMD_INVALID, "hide_cursor",
+				"Expected an integer timeout.");
+	}
+	if (config->hide_cursor_timeout < 100 && config->hide_cursor_timeout != 0) {
+		config->hide_cursor_timeout = 100;
+	}
+
+	return cmd_results_new(CMD_SUCCESS, NULL, NULL);
+}
diff --git a/sway/config.c b/sway/config.c
index 34c8a2802..c38dc6d25 100644
--- a/sway/config.c
+++ b/sway/config.c
@@ -208,6 +208,8 @@ static void config_defaults(struct sway_config *config) {
 	config->floating_border_thickness = 2;
 	config->hide_edge_borders = E_NONE;
 
+	config->hide_cursor_timeout = 0;
+
 	// border colors
 	set_color(config->border_colors.focused.border, 0x4C7899);
 	set_color(config->border_colors.focused.border, 0x4C7899);
diff --git a/sway/input/cursor.c b/sway/input/cursor.c
index 9259c4756..a3e737394 100644
--- a/sway/input/cursor.c
+++ b/sway/input/cursor.c
@@ -155,8 +155,11 @@ void cursor_send_pointer_motion(struct sway_cursor *cursor, uint32_t time_msec)
 		client = wl_resource_get_client(surface->resource);
 	}
 	if (client != cursor->image_client) {
-		wlr_xcursor_manager_set_cursor_image(cursor->xcursor_manager,
-			"left_ptr", cursor->cursor);
+		if (!cursor->hidden) {
+			wlr_xcursor_manager_set_cursor_image(cursor->xcursor_manager,
+				"left_ptr", cursor->cursor);
+		}
+		cursor->image_surface = NULL;
 		cursor->image_client = client;
 	}
 
@@ -171,23 +174,53 @@ void cursor_send_pointer_motion(struct sway_cursor *cursor, uint32_t time_msec)
 	}
 }
 
+static void apply_cursor_image(struct sway_cursor *cursor) {
+	if (cursor->hidden) {
+		return;
+	}
+
+	if (cursor->image_surface) {
+		wlr_cursor_set_surface(cursor->cursor, cursor->image_surface,
+				cursor->hotspot_x, cursor->hotspot_y);
+	} else {
+		wlr_xcursor_manager_set_cursor_image(cursor->xcursor_manager,
+			"left_ptr", cursor->cursor);
+	}
+}
+
+static int hide_notify(void *data) {
+	struct sway_cursor *cursor = data;
+	wlr_cursor_set_image(cursor->cursor, NULL, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0);
+	cursor->hidden = true;
+	return 1;
+}
+
+static void handle_activity(struct sway_cursor *cursor) {
+	wl_event_source_timer_update(cursor->hide_source,
+			config->hide_cursor_timeout);
+	wlr_idle_notify_activity(
+			cursor->seat->input->server->idle, cursor->seat->wlr_seat);
+	cursor->hidden = false;
+	apply_cursor_image(cursor);
+}
+
 static void handle_cursor_motion(struct wl_listener *listener, void *data) {
 	struct sway_cursor *cursor = wl_container_of(listener, cursor, motion);
-	wlr_idle_notify_activity(cursor->seat->input->server->idle, cursor->seat->wlr_seat);
 	struct wlr_event_pointer_motion *event = data;
 	wlr_cursor_move(cursor->cursor, event->device,
 		event->delta_x, event->delta_y);
 	cursor_send_pointer_motion(cursor, event->time_msec);
+	handle_activity(cursor);
 }
 
 static void handle_cursor_motion_absolute(
 		struct wl_listener *listener, void *data) {
 	struct sway_cursor *cursor =
 		wl_container_of(listener, cursor, motion_absolute);
-	wlr_idle_notify_activity(cursor->seat->input->server->idle, cursor->seat->wlr_seat);
 	struct wlr_event_pointer_motion_absolute *event = data;
 	wlr_cursor_warp_absolute(cursor->cursor, event->device, event->x, event->y);
 	cursor_send_pointer_motion(cursor, event->time_msec);
+	handle_activity(cursor);
 }
 
 void dispatch_cursor_button(struct sway_cursor *cursor,
@@ -234,23 +267,24 @@ void dispatch_cursor_button(struct sway_cursor *cursor,
 
 static void handle_cursor_button(struct wl_listener *listener, void *data) {
 	struct sway_cursor *cursor = wl_container_of(listener, cursor, button);
-	wlr_idle_notify_activity(cursor->seat->input->server->idle, cursor->seat->wlr_seat);
 	struct wlr_event_pointer_button *event = data;
 	dispatch_cursor_button(cursor,
 			event->time_msec, event->button, event->state);
+	handle_activity(cursor);
 }
 
 static void handle_cursor_axis(struct wl_listener *listener, void *data) {
 	struct sway_cursor *cursor = wl_container_of(listener, cursor, axis);
-	wlr_idle_notify_activity(cursor->seat->input->server->idle, cursor->seat->wlr_seat);
 	struct wlr_event_pointer_axis *event = data;
 	wlr_seat_pointer_notify_axis(cursor->seat->wlr_seat, event->time_msec,
 		event->orientation, event->delta, event->delta_discrete, event->source);
+	handle_activity(cursor);
 }
 
 static void handle_touch_down(struct wl_listener *listener, void *data) {
 	struct sway_cursor *cursor = wl_container_of(listener, cursor, touch_down);
-	wlr_idle_notify_activity(cursor->seat->input->server->idle, cursor->seat->wlr_seat);
+	wlr_idle_notify_activity(
+			cursor->seat->input->server->idle, cursor->seat->wlr_seat);
 	struct wlr_event_touch_down *event = data;
 
 	struct wlr_seat *seat = cursor->seat->wlr_seat;
@@ -271,13 +305,15 @@ static void handle_touch_down(struct wl_listener *listener, void *data) {
 		wlr_seat_touch_notify_down(seat, surface, event->time_msec,
 				event->touch_id, sx, sy);
 		cursor->image_client = NULL;
+		cursor->image_surface = NULL;
 		wlr_cursor_set_image(cursor->cursor, NULL, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0);
 	}
 }
 
 static void handle_touch_up(struct wl_listener *listener, void *data) {
 	struct sway_cursor *cursor = wl_container_of(listener, cursor, touch_up);
-	wlr_idle_notify_activity(cursor->seat->input->server->idle, cursor->seat->wlr_seat);
+	wlr_idle_notify_activity(
+			cursor->seat->input->server->idle, cursor->seat->wlr_seat);
 	struct wlr_event_touch_up *event = data;
 	struct wlr_seat *seat = cursor->seat->wlr_seat;
 	// TODO: fall back to cursor simulation if client has not bound to touch
@@ -287,7 +323,8 @@ static void handle_touch_up(struct wl_listener *listener, void *data) {
 static void handle_touch_motion(struct wl_listener *listener, void *data) {
 	struct sway_cursor *cursor =
 		wl_container_of(listener, cursor, touch_motion);
-	wlr_idle_notify_activity(cursor->seat->input->server->idle, cursor->seat->wlr_seat);
+	wlr_idle_notify_activity(
+			cursor->seat->input->server->idle, cursor->seat->wlr_seat);
 	struct wlr_event_touch_motion *event = data;
 
 	struct wlr_seat *seat = cursor->seat->wlr_seat;
@@ -339,7 +376,8 @@ static void apply_mapping_from_region(struct wlr_input_device *device,
 
 static void handle_tool_axis(struct wl_listener *listener, void *data) {
 	struct sway_cursor *cursor = wl_container_of(listener, cursor, tool_axis);
-	wlr_idle_notify_activity(cursor->seat->input->server->idle, cursor->seat->wlr_seat);
+	wlr_idle_notify_activity(
+			cursor->seat->input->server->idle, cursor->seat->wlr_seat);
 	struct wlr_event_tablet_tool_axis *event = data;
 	struct sway_input_device *input_device = event->device->data;
 
@@ -362,7 +400,8 @@ static void handle_tool_axis(struct wl_listener *listener, void *data) {
 
 static void handle_tool_tip(struct wl_listener *listener, void *data) {
 	struct sway_cursor *cursor = wl_container_of(listener, cursor, tool_tip);
-	wlr_idle_notify_activity(cursor->seat->input->server->idle, cursor->seat->wlr_seat);
+	wlr_idle_notify_activity(
+			cursor->seat->input->server->idle, cursor->seat->wlr_seat);
 	struct wlr_event_tablet_tool_tip *event = data;
 	dispatch_cursor_button(cursor, event->time_msec,
 			BTN_LEFT, event->state == WLR_TABLET_TOOL_TIP_DOWN ?
@@ -371,7 +410,8 @@ static void handle_tool_tip(struct wl_listener *listener, void *data) {
 
 static void handle_tool_button(struct wl_listener *listener, void *data) {
 	struct sway_cursor *cursor = wl_container_of(listener, cursor, tool_button);
-	wlr_idle_notify_activity(cursor->seat->input->server->idle, cursor->seat->wlr_seat);
+	wlr_idle_notify_activity(
+			cursor->seat->input->server->idle, cursor->seat->wlr_seat);
 	struct wlr_event_tablet_tool_button *event = data;
 	// TODO: the user may want to configure which tool buttons are mapped to
 	// which simulated pointer buttons
@@ -413,9 +453,11 @@ static void handle_request_set_cursor(struct wl_listener *listener,
 		return;
 	}
 
-	wlr_cursor_set_surface(cursor->cursor, event->surface, event->hotspot_x,
-		event->hotspot_y);
 	cursor->image_client = focused_client;
+	cursor->image_surface = event->surface;
+	cursor->hotspot_x = event->hotspot_x;
+	cursor->hotspot_y = event->hotspot_y;
+	apply_cursor_image(cursor);
 }
 
 void sway_cursor_destroy(struct sway_cursor *cursor) {
@@ -444,6 +486,9 @@ struct sway_cursor *sway_cursor_create(struct sway_seat *seat) {
 	wlr_cursor_attach_output_layout(wlr_cursor,
 		root_container.sway_root->output_layout);
 
+	cursor->hide_source = wl_event_loop_add_timer(
+			seat->input->server->wl_event_loop, hide_notify, cursor);
+
 	// input events
 	wl_signal_add(&wlr_cursor->events.motion, &cursor->motion);
 	cursor->motion.notify = handle_cursor_motion;
diff --git a/sway/input/keyboard.c b/sway/input/keyboard.c
index c07557db8..e6dd2d944 100644
--- a/sway/input/keyboard.c
+++ b/sway/input/keyboard.c
@@ -331,7 +331,8 @@ static void handle_keyboard_key(struct wl_listener *listener, void *data) {
 	struct wlr_seat *wlr_seat = keyboard->seat_device->sway_seat->wlr_seat;
 	struct wlr_input_device *wlr_device =
 		keyboard->seat_device->input_device->wlr_device;
-	wlr_idle_notify_activity(keyboard->seat_device->sway_seat->input->server->idle, wlr_seat);
+	wlr_idle_notify_activity(
+			keyboard->seat_device->sway_seat->input->server->idle, wlr_seat);
 	struct wlr_event_keyboard_key *event = data;
 
 	xkb_keycode_t keycode = event->keycode + 8;
diff --git a/sway/input/seat.c b/sway/input/seat.c
index 9ac3e6a89..4b9be5b10 100644
--- a/sway/input/seat.c
+++ b/sway/input/seat.c
@@ -244,6 +244,7 @@ struct sway_seat *seat_create(struct sway_input_manager *input,
 	if (!seat) {
 		return NULL;
 	}
+	seat->input = input;
 
 	seat->wlr_seat = wlr_seat_create(input->server->wl_display, seat_name);
 	if (!sway_assert(seat->wlr_seat, "could not allocate seat")) {
@@ -268,7 +269,6 @@ struct sway_seat *seat_create(struct sway_input_manager *input,
 		&seat->new_container);
 	seat->new_container.notify = handle_new_container;
 
-	seat->input = input;
 	wl_list_init(&seat->devices);
 
 	wlr_seat_set_capabilities(seat->wlr_seat,
diff --git a/sway/meson.build b/sway/meson.build
index 570d47835..33d006722 100644
--- a/sway/meson.build
+++ b/sway/meson.build
@@ -42,6 +42,7 @@ sway_sources = files(
 	'commands/font.c',
 	'commands/for_window.c',
 	'commands/fullscreen.c',
+	'commands/hide_cursor.c',
 	'commands/hide_edge_borders.c',
 	'commands/kill.c',
 	'commands/opacity.c',
diff --git a/sway/sway.5.scd b/sway/sway.5.scd
index 2ebdb8ed4..bc7204967 100644
--- a/sway/sway.5.scd
+++ b/sway/sway.5.scd
@@ -342,6 +342,11 @@ The default colors are:
 	workspace (or current workspace), and _current_ changes gaps for the current
 	view or workspace.
 
+*hide\_cursor* <timeout>
+	Hides the cursor image after the specified _timeout_ (in milliseconds) has
+	elapsed with no activity on that cursor. A timeout of 0 disables hiding
+	the cursor.
+
 *hide\_edge\_borders* none|vertical|horizontal|both|smart
 	Hides window borders adjacent to the screen edges. Default is _none_.