diff --git a/HUD.txt b/HUD.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5aa9426
--- /dev/null
+++ b/HUD.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+Configuration for Better HUD
+----------------------------
+
+The Better HUD mod positions the stat displays according to
+a 'hud.conf' file in its mod directory. If you wish to shift
+the positions of the stat displays around, you need to create or
+edit the 'hud.conf' file.
+
+There should be two files in this mod directory, 'hud.conf.with_hunger'
+and 'hud.conf.no_hunger'. These can be used as the basis for your
+'hud.conf', depending on whether you are also using the Hunger mod
+(which adds a hunger display), or not.
+
+The positions of the displays in those files correspond to the
+default settings in Better HUD. In most cases, it's enough to
+copy one of these files as 'hud.conf' in the Better HUD mod
+directory 'mods/hud'.
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 6c86f65..541c63b 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ once and for all.
 Dependencies
 ------------
 * default
-* hud (optional): https://forum.minetest.net/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=6342
+* hud (optional): https://forum.minetest.net/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=6342 (see HUD.txt for configuration)
 * hudbars (optional): https://forum.minetest.net/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=11153
 * vessels (optional): https://forum.minetest.net/viewtopic.php?id=2574
 
diff --git a/hud.conf.no_hunger b/hud.conf.no_hunger
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..df4b15d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/hud.conf.no_hunger
@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+--[[
+
+Better HUD config file, without Hunger mod.
+
+This file mirrors the default settings of the Better HUD mod,
+except that it moves the "breath" bar upwards to make room
+for the "thirst" bar.
+
+Use this config file as a starting point if you *don't* have the
+Hunger mod enabled.
+
+For more information, see hud.conf.example in the mods/hud
+directory.
+
+]]
+
+HUD_SB_SIZE = { x = 24, y = 24 }
+
+--[[ Layout:
+
+    ARMOR | (AIR)
+   HEALTH | THIRST
+
+]]
+
+HUD_HEALTH_POS    = { x = 0.5, y = 1 }
+HUD_HEALTH_OFFSET = { x = -262, y = -87 }
+
+-- not used
+HUD_HUNGER_POS    = { x = 0.5, y = 1 }
+HUD_HUNGER_OFFSET = { x = 15, y = -133 }
+
+HUD_AIR_POS       = { x = 0.5, y = 1 }
+HUD_AIR_OFFSET    = { x = 15, y = -110 }
+
+HUD_ARMOR_POS     = { x = 0.5, y = 1 }
+HUD_ARMOR_OFFSET  = { x = -262, y = -110 }
+
+HUD_THIRST_POS    = { x = 0.5, y = 1 }
+HUD_THIRST_OFFSET = { x = 15, y = -87 }
diff --git a/hud.conf.with_hunger b/hud.conf.with_hunger
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6565c8d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/hud.conf.with_hunger
@@ -0,0 +1,43 @@
+--[[
+
+Better HUD config file, with Hunger mod.
+
+This file mirrors the default settings of the Better HUD mod,
+except that it moves the "breath" bar upwards to make room
+for the "thirst" bar.
+
+Use this config file as a starting point if you *do* have the
+Hunger mod enabled.
+
+For more information, see hud.conf.example in the mods/hud
+directory.
+
+]]
+
+HUD_SB_SIZE = { x = 24, y = 24 }
+
+--[[ Layout:
+
+            (AIR)
+    ARMOR | THIRST
+   HEALTH | HUNGER
+
+]]
+
+HUD_HEALTH_POS    = { x = 0.5, y = 1 }
+HUD_HEALTH_OFFSET = { x = -262, y = -87 }
+
+-- At the time of writing, the Hunger mod contains code to swap
+-- the positions of "hunger" and "air", so these positions are
+-- "un-swapped"...
+HUD_HUNGER_POS    = { x = 0.5, y = 1 }
+HUD_HUNGER_OFFSET = { x = 15, y = -133 }
+
+HUD_AIR_POS       = { x = 0.5, y = 1 }
+HUD_AIR_OFFSET    = { x = 15, y = -87 }
+
+HUD_ARMOR_POS     = { x = 0.5, y = 1 }
+HUD_ARMOR_OFFSET  = { x = -262, y = -110 }
+
+HUD_THIRST_POS    = { x = 0.5, y = 1 }
+HUD_THIRST_OFFSET = { x = 15, y = -110 }
diff --git a/init.lua b/init.lua
index 1cdcac8..9f39375 100644
--- a/init.lua
+++ b/init.lua
@@ -105,16 +105,18 @@ if minetest.get_modpath("hudbars") then
         hb.change_hudbar(player, 'thirst', thirsty.hud_clamp(value), 20)
     end
 elseif minetest.get_modpath("hud") then
-    -- API.txt
+    -- default positions follow [hud] defaults
+    local position = HUD_THIRST_POS or { x=0.5, y=1 }
+    local offset   = HUD_THIRST_OFFSET or { x=15, y=-133} -- above AIR
     hud.register('thirst', {
         hud_elem_type = "statbar",
-        position = { x=0.5, y=1 },
+        position = position,
         text = "thirsty_cup_100_24.png",
         background = "thirsty_cup_0_24.png",
         number = 20,
         max = 20,
-        size = { x=24, y=24 },
-        offset = { x=25, y=-(48+24+16+32)},
+        size = HUD_SD_SIZE, -- by default { x=24, y=24 },
+        offset = offset,
     })
     function thirsty.hud_init(player)
         -- automatic by [hud]