Channel multi-input multi-output (MIMI) systems can be configured with a variable number of codewords where the network an change the number of codewords based on channel conditions, user equipment capability, etc. Thus, the network can efficiently utilize feedback channel overhead while simultaneously improving the capacity of the system. Instead of configuring the UE with a fixed number of codewords for all the channel conditions, the network can change the number of codewords dynamically or semi-statically. The network can determine the number of codewords based on measurements and recommendations from the UE. Alternatively, the network can determine the number of codewords on its own.