diff --git a/src/uix/eidos/components/words/words.css b/src/uix/eidos/components/words/words.css
index fd7adfc36..b780b8b7f 100644
--- a/src/uix/eidos/components/words/words.css
+++ b/src/uix/eidos/components/words/words.css
@@ -4,6 +4,11 @@
 	--_words-content-px: var(--words-content-px-md);
 	--_words-content-py: var(--words-content-py-md);
 	--_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;
 	--_words-toolbar-px: var(--words-toolbar-px-md);
 	--_words-toolbar-py: var(--words-toolbar-py-md);
 	--_words-button-size: var(--words-button-size-md);
@@ -1759,7 +1764,9 @@
 [data-words-placeholder] {
 	display: block;
 	padding-block-start: var(--_words-content-py);
-	padding-inline: var(--_words-content-px);
+	/* Default (drawer on right): rail on the LEFT for the grip. */
+	padding-inline-start: calc(var(--_words-content-px) + var(--_words-rail-px));
+	padding-inline-end: var(--_words-content-px);
 	color: var(--words-placeholder-color);
 	pointer-events: none;
 }
@@ -1772,7 +1779,9 @@
 [data-words-content] {
 	min-block-size: var(--_words-content-min-block-size);
 	padding-block: var(--_words-content-py);
-	padding-inline: var(--_words-content-px);
+	/* Default (drawer on right): rail on the LEFT for the grip + "+". */
+	padding-inline-start: calc(var(--_words-content-px) + var(--_words-rail-px));
+	padding-inline-end: var(--_words-content-px);
 	color: var(--words-content-color);
 	outline: none;
 	overflow-wrap: anywhere;
@@ -1782,6 +1791,14 @@
 	-webkit-user-select: text;
 }
 
+/* When the drawer lives on the LEFT, mirror: rail moves to the RIGHT
+   so the grip + "+" don't fight the drawer's gutter. */
+[data-words]:has([data-words-drawer][data-side='left']) > [data-words-content],
+[data-words]:has([data-words-drawer][data-side='left']) > [data-words-placeholder] {
+	padding-inline-start: var(--_words-content-px);
+	padding-inline-end: calc(var(--_words-content-px) + var(--_words-rail-px));
+}
+
 [data-words-content] * {
 	user-select: text;
 	-webkit-user-select: text;