diff --git a/src/uix/eidos/components/words/words.css b/src/uix/eidos/components/words/words.css
index b780b8b7f..b93c3bff7 100644
--- a/src/uix/eidos/components/words/words.css
+++ b/src/uix/eidos/components/words/words.css
@@ -6,9 +6,10 @@
 	--_words-content-min-block-size: var(--words-content-min-block-size-md);
 	/* Gutter reserved for the block-handle grip + inserter "+" overlay.
 	   Content is padded by this much on the side OPPOSITE to the drawer
-	   so the floating overlays have a visible band to land in. ~40px
-	   fits a 28×28 hit area with 12px breathing room before the text. */
-	--_words-rail-px: 2.5rem;
+	   so the floating overlays have a visible band to land in. 1.5rem
+	   (≈24px) added to the existing content-px (16px) gives ~40px total
+	   on that side — just enough for a 28×28 hit area, no waste. */
+	--_words-rail-px: 1.5rem;
 	--_words-toolbar-px: var(--words-toolbar-px-md);
 	--_words-toolbar-py: var(--words-toolbar-py-md);
 	--_words-button-size: var(--words-button-size-md);