diff --git a/config/config.template.json b/config/config.template.json
index ece166c2..2ced4828 100644
--- a/config/config.template.json
+++ b/config/config.template.json
@@ -132,6 +132,8 @@
             "target_fps": 125,
             "buffer_ahead": 2,
             "intra_plugin_gap": 8,
+            "render_width_pct": 100,
+            "min_content_separation": 24,
             "auto_trim": true,
             "trim_threshold": 10,
             "content_padding": 8,
diff --git a/src/display_manager.py b/src/display_manager.py
index 9de558a1..5db9e521 100644
--- a/src/display_manager.py
+++ b/src/display_manager.py
@@ -536,6 +536,59 @@ class DisplayManager:
         finally:
             self._capture_mode_active = False
 
+    @contextmanager
+    def render_size(self, width: int, height: Optional[int] = None):
+        """Temporarily present a smaller logical canvas to plugins.
+
+        Plugins lay out against ``display_manager.matrix.width`` (and the
+        ``width``/``height`` properties, which defer to it), so the only way to
+        get a *narrower layout* rather than a cropped one is to tell the plugin
+        the screen is narrower while it renders. Trimming after the fact cannot
+        fix a forecast spread across five columns or a progress bar drawn at
+        100% width — those need the plugin to make different layout decisions.
+
+        Vegas mode uses this so a plugin can occupy a fraction of a wide panel
+        and still look deliberately composed. Reuses the same _LogicalMatrix
+        indirection that double-sided mode relies on, so plugins see a
+        consistent size from every accessor.
+
+        Only meaningful inside :meth:`capture_mode` — this swaps the shared
+        image buffer, so the render loop must not be writing to it concurrently.
+
+        Args:
+            width: Logical width to report, clamped to at least 1 and to the
+                real panel width (a larger canvas would overflow the hardware).
+            height: Logical height, defaulting to the current height.
+        """
+        real_matrix = self.matrix
+        prev_image = getattr(self, 'image', None)
+        prev_draw = getattr(self, 'draw', None)
+
+        current_w = self.width
+        current_h = self.height
+        target_w = max(1, min(int(width), current_w))
+        target_h = max(1, min(int(height) if height else current_h, current_h))
+
+        if target_w == current_w and target_h == current_h:
+            # Nothing to do; avoid pointless wrapping and buffer churn.
+            yield
+            return
+
+        try:
+            if real_matrix is not None:
+                self.matrix = _LogicalMatrix(real_matrix, target_w, target_h)
+            # With no hardware, the width/height properties fall through to
+            # self.image, so swapping the buffer below is enough on its own.
+            self.image = Image.new('RGB', (target_w, target_h))
+            self.draw = ImageDraw.Draw(self.image)
+            yield
+        finally:
+            self.matrix = real_matrix
+            if prev_image is not None:
+                self.image = prev_image
+            if prev_draw is not None:
+                self.draw = prev_draw
+
     def _composite_double_sided(self):
         """Tile the logical screen across the full physical chain.
 
diff --git a/src/plugin_system/base_plugin.py b/src/plugin_system/base_plugin.py
index 54759855..87056b0f 100644
--- a/src/plugin_system/base_plugin.py
+++ b/src/plugin_system/base_plugin.py
@@ -505,6 +505,40 @@ class BasePlugin(ABC):
     # -------------------------------------------------------------------------
     # Vegas scroll mode support
     # -------------------------------------------------------------------------
+    def get_vegas_render_width(self) -> int:
+        """
+        Width the Vegas ticker wants this plugin's content to occupy.
+
+        On a wide panel a layout built to fill the screen reads as sparse in a
+        ticker — a forecast spread over five columns, a progress bar drawn at
+        100% width, a stat block with the panel's whole width between its
+        elements. Vegas asks for a narrower render so the plugin can choose a
+        tighter arrangement instead of being cropped afterwards.
+
+        Vegas also narrows ``display_manager`` for the duration of the call, so
+        a plugin that already sizes itself from ``matrix.width`` needs no
+        changes. Read this only when you size content some other way.
+
+        Controlled by the plugin's own ``vegas_width_pct`` config value, else
+        the global ``display.vegas_scroll.render_width_pct``.
+
+        Returns:
+            Target width in pixels. Outside a Vegas content request, the full
+            display width.
+        """
+        requested = getattr(self, '_vegas_render_width', None)
+        if isinstance(requested, int) and requested > 0:
+            return requested
+
+        display_manager = getattr(self, 'display_manager', None)
+        matrix = getattr(display_manager, 'matrix', None)
+        if matrix is not None and getattr(matrix, 'width', None):
+            return int(matrix.width)
+        width = getattr(display_manager, 'width', None)
+        if callable(width):
+            width = width()
+        return int(width) if width else 128
+
     def get_vegas_content(self) -> Optional[Any]:
         """
         Get content for Vegas-style continuous scroll mode.
diff --git a/src/plugin_system/testing/visual_display_manager.py b/src/plugin_system/testing/visual_display_manager.py
index 54f14f81..e3dc2ec6 100644
--- a/src/plugin_system/testing/visual_display_manager.py
+++ b/src/plugin_system/testing/visual_display_manager.py
@@ -178,6 +178,35 @@ class VisualTestDisplayManager:
         """No-op for hardware; marks that display was updated."""
         self.update_called = True
 
+    @contextmanager
+    def render_size(self, width: int, height: Optional[int] = None):
+        """
+        Interface parity with DisplayManager.render_size().
+
+        Vegas mode narrows the canvas so plugins lay out compactly instead of
+        being cropped. The harness must offer the same context or that path
+        cannot be exercised offline — and because the adapter catches broadly,
+        a missing method shows up as "no content" rather than an error.
+        """
+        prev_image = self.image
+        prev_draw = self.draw
+        prev_w, prev_h = self._width, self._height
+
+        target_w = max(1, min(int(width), prev_w))
+        target_h = max(1, min(int(height) if height else prev_h, prev_h))
+
+        try:
+            self._width, self._height = target_w, target_h
+            self.matrix = _MatrixProxy(target_w, target_h)
+            self.image = Image.new('RGB', (target_w, target_h), (0, 0, 0))
+            self.draw = ImageDraw.Draw(self.image)
+            yield
+        finally:
+            self._width, self._height = prev_w, prev_h
+            self.matrix = _MatrixProxy(prev_w, prev_h)
+            self.image = prev_image
+            self.draw = prev_draw
+
     @contextmanager
     def capture_mode(self):
         """
diff --git a/src/vegas_mode/config.py b/src/vegas_mode/config.py
index 38a56bc9..efe1fc71 100644
--- a/src/vegas_mode/config.py
+++ b/src/vegas_mode/config.py
@@ -21,6 +21,20 @@ class VegasModeConfig:
     scroll_speed: float = 50.0  # Pixels per second
     separator_width: int = 32  # Gap between plugins (pixels)
 
+    # Fraction of the panel width a plugin is told it has while rendering for
+    # the ticker, as a percentage. Trimming can only remove blank margins; it
+    # cannot compact a layout that genuinely spans the display — a five-column
+    # forecast, a full-width progress bar, a centred stat block with the panel's
+    # whole width between its elements. Rendering at a narrower size makes the
+    # plugin choose a tighter layout instead. 100 disables it.
+    render_width_pct: int = 100
+
+    # Minimum blank columns guaranteed between adjacent content, measured from
+    # actual ink rather than added blindly. A flat additive gap leaves
+    # card-style content nearly touching when the cards are drawn flush to their
+    # own edges, while padding out content that already has wide margins.
+    min_content_separation: int = 24
+
     # Gap between rows contributed by the *same* plugin. separator_width marks
     # the handoff from one plugin to the next; applying it between every image
     # forced a 32px chasm between each row of a per-row ticker (the F1
@@ -91,6 +105,9 @@ class VegasModeConfig:
             scroll_speed=float(vegas_config.get('scroll_speed', 50.0)),
             separator_width=int(vegas_config.get('separator_width', 32)),
             intra_plugin_gap=int(vegas_config.get('intra_plugin_gap', 8)),
+            render_width_pct=int(vegas_config.get('render_width_pct', 100)),
+            min_content_separation=int(
+                vegas_config.get('min_content_separation', 24)),
             auto_trim=vegas_config.get('auto_trim', True),
             trim_threshold=int(vegas_config.get('trim_threshold', 10)),
             content_padding=int(vegas_config.get('content_padding', 8)),
@@ -117,6 +134,8 @@ class VegasModeConfig:
             'scroll_speed': self.scroll_speed,
             'separator_width': self.separator_width,
             'intra_plugin_gap': self.intra_plugin_gap,
+            'render_width_pct': self.render_width_pct,
+            'min_content_separation': self.min_content_separation,
             'auto_trim': self.auto_trim,
             'trim_threshold': self.trim_threshold,
             'content_padding': self.content_padding,
@@ -209,6 +228,16 @@ class VegasModeConfig:
         if self.buffer_ahead > 5:
             errors.append(f"buffer_ahead must be <= 5, got {self.buffer_ahead}")
 
+        if not 10 <= self.render_width_pct <= 100:
+            errors.append(
+                "render_width_pct must be between 10 and 100, "
+                f"got {self.render_width_pct}")
+
+        if not 0 <= self.min_content_separation <= 256:
+            errors.append(
+                "min_content_separation must be between 0 and 256, "
+                f"got {self.min_content_separation}")
+
         if self.intra_plugin_gap < 0:
             errors.append(
                 f"intra_plugin_gap must be >= 0, got {self.intra_plugin_gap}")
@@ -271,6 +300,11 @@ class VegasModeConfig:
             self.separator_width = int(vegas_config['separator_width'])
         if 'intra_plugin_gap' in vegas_config:
             self.intra_plugin_gap = int(vegas_config['intra_plugin_gap'])
+        if 'render_width_pct' in vegas_config:
+            self.render_width_pct = int(vegas_config['render_width_pct'])
+        if 'min_content_separation' in vegas_config:
+            self.min_content_separation = int(
+                vegas_config['min_content_separation'])
         if 'auto_trim' in vegas_config:
             self.auto_trim = vegas_config['auto_trim']
         if 'trim_threshold' in vegas_config:
diff --git a/src/vegas_mode/geometry.py b/src/vegas_mode/geometry.py
index 03d040da..bec65c01 100644
--- a/src/vegas_mode/geometry.py
+++ b/src/vegas_mode/geometry.py
@@ -139,6 +139,59 @@ def trim_to_content(
     return TrimResult(cropped, img.width, left, img.width - right)
 
 
+def edge_blank(
+    img: Image.Image, threshold: int = DEFAULT_INK_THRESHOLD
+) -> Tuple[int, int]:
+    """
+    Blank column counts at the left and right edges of an image.
+
+    Used to space items by *measured* separation rather than a flat added gap.
+    A fixed gap gets this wrong in both directions at once: card-style content
+    drawn flush to its own edges ends up nearly touching its neighbour, while
+    content that already carries wide margins gets pushed even further apart.
+
+    Args:
+        img: Image to measure
+        threshold: Ink threshold
+
+    Returns:
+        (left_blank, right_blank). For an entirely blank image both are the
+        full width, since there is no ink to be close to.
+    """
+    bounds = content_bounds(img, threshold)
+    if bounds is None:
+        return img.width, img.width
+    first, last = bounds
+    return first, img.width - 1 - last
+
+
+def separation_gap(
+    left_img: Image.Image,
+    right_img: Image.Image,
+    target: int,
+    minimum: int = 0,
+    threshold: int = DEFAULT_INK_THRESHOLD,
+) -> int:
+    """
+    Columns to insert between two images so their ink is ``target`` apart.
+
+    Only the shortfall is added: if the two images already carry enough blank
+    at the facing edges, nothing (beyond ``minimum``) is inserted.
+
+    Args:
+        left_img: Image on the left
+        right_img: Image on the right
+        target: Desired blank columns between the two pieces of ink
+        minimum: Floor applied regardless of what the images already have
+        threshold: Ink threshold
+
+    Returns:
+        Number of columns to insert, never negative
+    """
+    existing = edge_blank(left_img, threshold)[1] + edge_blank(right_img, threshold)[0]
+    return max(minimum, target - existing, 0)
+
+
 def find_blank_cut(
     img: Image.Image,
     target: int,
diff --git a/src/vegas_mode/plugin_adapter.py b/src/vegas_mode/plugin_adapter.py
index f790c984..5f6965f8 100644
--- a/src/vegas_mode/plugin_adapter.py
+++ b/src/vegas_mode/plugin_adapter.py
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ implement get_vegas_content() and fallback capture of display() output.
 import logging
 import threading
 import time
+from contextlib import nullcontext
 from typing import Optional, List, Any, Tuple, Union, TYPE_CHECKING
 from PIL import Image
 
@@ -214,6 +215,66 @@ class PluginAdapter:
         self._cache_content(plugin_id, kept)
         return kept
 
+    def _render_at(self, width: int):
+        """
+        Context manager narrowing the plugin-facing canvas to ``width``.
+
+        Degrades to a no-op when the display manager predates render_size (a
+        third-party or older test harness). Losing the narrowing is a cosmetic
+        regression; raising here would be caught by the broad handlers upstream
+        and silently drop the plugin's content entirely.
+        """
+        render_size = getattr(self.display_manager, 'render_size', None)
+        if render_size is None:
+            logger.debug(
+                "display_manager has no render_size(); Vegas width requests "
+                "will be ignored"
+            )
+            return nullcontext()
+        return render_size(width)
+
+    def resolve_render_width(self, plugin: 'BasePlugin', plugin_id: str) -> int:
+        """
+        Width to tell a plugin it has while it renders for the ticker.
+
+        Resolution order, most specific first:
+          1. the plugin's own ``vegas_width_pct`` config value
+          2. the global ``vegas_scroll.render_width_pct``
+          3. the full panel width
+
+        A percentage rather than an absolute width so one setting travels
+        across panel sizes.
+
+        Args:
+            plugin: Plugin instance, consulted for a per-plugin override
+            plugin_id: Plugin identifier for logging
+
+        Returns:
+            Target width in pixels, never wider than the panel
+        """
+        pct = self.config.render_width_pct
+
+        plugin_cfg = getattr(plugin, 'config', None)
+        if isinstance(plugin_cfg, dict):
+            raw = plugin_cfg.get('vegas_width_pct')
+            if raw not in (None, ''):
+                try:
+                    candidate = int(raw)
+                except (TypeError, ValueError):
+                    logger.warning(
+                        "[%s] Invalid vegas_width_pct %r, ignoring", plugin_id, raw)
+                else:
+                    if 10 <= candidate <= 100:
+                        pct = candidate
+                    else:
+                        logger.warning(
+                            "[%s] vegas_width_pct %d out of range 10-100, ignoring",
+                            plugin_id, candidate)
+
+        if pct >= 100:
+            return self.display_width
+        return max(1, int(self.display_width * pct / 100))
+
     def _width_budget(self) -> int:
         """Maximum columns one plugin may occupy in a cycle. 0 means unlimited."""
         ratio = self.config.max_plugin_width_ratio
@@ -331,7 +392,27 @@ class PluginAdapter:
         """
         try:
             logger.info("[%s] Native: calling get_vegas_content()", plugin_id)
-            result = plugin.get_vegas_content()
+
+            # Tell the plugin how much width the ticker wants it to use, and
+            # narrow the canvas for the duration of the call. A plugin that
+            # sizes its own images from display_manager.matrix.width picks up
+            # the narrower value with no changes of its own; one that wants to
+            # be explicit can read get_vegas_render_width().
+            render_width = self.resolve_render_width(plugin, plugin_id)
+            plugin._vegas_render_width = render_width
+            try:
+                if render_width == self.display_width:
+                    result = plugin.get_vegas_content()
+                else:
+                    logger.info(
+                        "[%s] Native: requesting %dpx instead of %dpx",
+                        plugin_id, render_width, self.display_width
+                    )
+                    with self.display_manager.capture_mode(), \
+                            self._render_at(render_width):
+                        result = plugin.get_vegas_content()
+            finally:
+                plugin._vegas_render_width = None
 
             if result is None:
                 logger.info("[%s] Native: get_vegas_content() returned None", plugin_id)
@@ -683,7 +764,19 @@ class PluginAdapter:
 
             # Clear and call plugin display — use capture_mode to suppress hardware writes
             # that plugins may trigger internally via update_display().
-            with self.display_manager.capture_mode():
+            #
+            # render_size narrows the canvas the plugin lays out against, so a
+            # plugin that spreads across the whole panel produces a compact
+            # arrangement rather than one that has to be cropped afterwards.
+            render_width = self.resolve_render_width(plugin, plugin_id)
+            if render_width != self.display_width:
+                logger.info(
+                    "[%s] Fallback: rendering at %dpx instead of %dpx",
+                    plugin_id, render_width, self.display_width
+                )
+
+            with self.display_manager.capture_mode(), \
+                    self._render_at(render_width):
                 self.display_manager.clear()
                 logger.info("[%s] Fallback: display cleared, calling display()", plugin_id)
 
@@ -717,7 +810,8 @@ class PluginAdapter:
                     plugin_id
                 )
                 # Try once more with force_clear=True
-                with self.display_manager.capture_mode():
+                with self.display_manager.capture_mode(), \
+                        self._render_at(render_width):
                     self.display_manager.clear()
                     plugin.display(force_clear=True)
                     captured = self.display_manager.image.copy()
diff --git a/src/vegas_mode/render_pipeline.py b/src/vegas_mode/render_pipeline.py
index aa624ebf..f9739b95 100644
--- a/src/vegas_mode/render_pipeline.py
+++ b/src/vegas_mode/render_pipeline.py
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ from PIL import Image
 
 from src.common.scroll_helper import ScrollHelper
 from src.vegas_mode.config import VegasModeConfig
+from src.vegas_mode.geometry import separation_gap
 from src.vegas_mode.stream_manager import StreamManager
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
@@ -188,12 +189,14 @@ class RenderPipeline:
 
             logger.info(
                 "Composed scroll image: %dx%d, %d plugin block(s), %d rows, "
-                "separator=%dpx between plugins / %dpx within",
+                "separator=%dpx between plugins, rows spaced to %dpx of ink "
+                "(min added %dpx)",
                 self.scroll_helper.cached_image.width if self.scroll_helper.cached_image else 0,
                 self.display_height,
                 len(blocks),
                 total_rows,
                 self.config.separator_width,
+                self.config.min_content_separation,
                 self.config.intra_plugin_gap,
             )
 
@@ -219,15 +222,27 @@ class RenderPipeline:
         if len(images) == 1:
             return images[0]
 
-        gap = max(0, self.config.intra_plugin_gap)
-        width = sum(img.width for img in images) + gap * (len(images) - 1)
+        floor = max(0, self.config.intra_plugin_gap)
+        target = max(0, self.config.min_content_separation)
+        threshold = self.config.trim_threshold
+
+        # Space by measured separation, not a flat gap. Rows drawn flush to
+        # their own edges (sports score cards) would otherwise end up nearly
+        # touching, while rows that already carry wide margins would be pushed
+        # needlessly further apart.
+        gaps = [
+            separation_gap(images[i], images[i + 1], target, floor, threshold)
+            for i in range(len(images) - 1)
+        ]
+
+        width = sum(img.width for img in images) + sum(gaps)
         height = max(img.height for img in images)
 
         block = Image.new('RGB', (width, height), (0, 0, 0))
         x = 0
-        for img in images:
+        for i, img in enumerate(images):
             block.paste(img, (x, 0))
-            x += img.width + gap
+            x += img.width + (gaps[i] if i < len(gaps) else 0)
         return block
 
     def render_frame(self) -> bool:
diff --git a/test/test_vegas_density.py b/test/test_vegas_density.py
index 708136bb..ac8b6e15 100644
--- a/test/test_vegas_density.py
+++ b/test/test_vegas_density.py
@@ -277,54 +277,64 @@ class TestPluginBoundaryGaps:
         return RenderPipeline(VegasModeConfig(**cfg), DM(), FakeStream())
 
     def test_separator_only_at_plugin_boundaries(self):
-        # Two plugins, two rows each. Expect: row row [sep] row row, with the
-        # small intra gap inside each pair.
+        # Two plugins, two rows each. Expect: row row [sep] row row. These rows
+        # are drawn flush to their edges, so the intra-plugin gap is the full
+        # min_content_separation.
         rows = [Image.new('RGB', (100, DISPLAY_H), (255, 255, 255)) for _ in range(4)]
         pipeline = self._pipeline(
             [('a', rows[:2]), ('b', rows[2:])],
-            separator_width=32, intra_plugin_gap=8, lead_in_width=0,
+            separator_width=32, intra_plugin_gap=8, min_content_separation=24,
+            lead_in_width=0,
         )
         assert pipeline.compose_scroll_content()
 
         ink = column_has_ink(pipeline.scroll_helper.cached_image)
         assert ink[:100].all()
-        assert not ink[100:108].any()      # intra gap inside plugin a
-        assert ink[108:208].all()
-        assert not ink[208:240].any()      # separator between a and b
-        assert ink[240:340].all()
-        assert not ink[340:348].any()      # intra gap inside plugin b
-        assert ink[348:448].all()
+        assert not ink[100:124].any()      # measured gap inside plugin a
+        assert ink[124:224].all()
+        assert not ink[224:256].any()      # separator between a and b
+        assert ink[256:356].all()
+        assert not ink[356:380].any()      # measured gap inside plugin b
+        assert ink[380:480].all()
 
     def test_total_width_uses_both_gap_sizes(self):
         rows = [Image.new('RGB', (100, DISPLAY_H), (255, 255, 255)) for _ in range(4)]
         pipeline = self._pipeline(
             [('a', rows[:2]), ('b', rows[2:])],
-            separator_width=32, intra_plugin_gap=8, lead_in_width=0,
+            separator_width=32, intra_plugin_gap=8, min_content_separation=24,
+            lead_in_width=0,
         )
         pipeline.compose_scroll_content()
-        # 4 rows + 2 intra gaps + 1 separator
-        assert pipeline.scroll_helper.cached_image.width == 400 + 16 + 32
+        # 4 rows + 2 measured intra gaps (24 each) + 1 separator
+        assert pipeline.scroll_helper.cached_image.width == 400 + 48 + 32
 
-    def test_f1_shaped_case_reclaims_the_chasms(self):
-        # 12 rows from one plugin: previously 11 separators at 32px = 352px of
-        # gap; now 11 intra gaps at 8px = 88px.
+    def test_f1_shaped_case_stays_below_the_separator_width(self):
+        # 12 rows from one plugin. Previously each boundary got the full 32px
+        # separator (352px of gap); rows are now spaced by measured separation,
+        # which for flush rows is min_content_separation.
         rows = [Image.new('RGB', (128, DISPLAY_H), (255, 255, 255)) for _ in range(12)]
         pipeline = self._pipeline(
             [('f1-scoreboard', rows)],
-            separator_width=32, intra_plugin_gap=8, lead_in_width=0,
+            separator_width=32, intra_plugin_gap=8, min_content_separation=24,
+            lead_in_width=0,
         )
         pipeline.compose_scroll_content()
-        assert pipeline.scroll_helper.cached_image.width == 12 * 128 + 11 * 8
+        width = pipeline.scroll_helper.cached_image.width
+        assert width == 12 * 128 + 11 * 24
+        assert width < 12 * 128 + 11 * 32  # cheaper than the old flat separator
 
     def test_single_row_plugin_image_is_not_copied(self):
         row = Image.new('RGB', (100, DISPLAY_H), (255, 255, 255))
         pipeline = self._pipeline([('solo', [row])], lead_in_width=0)
         assert pipeline._join_plugin_rows([row]) is row
 
-    def test_zero_intra_gap_butts_rows_together(self):
+    def test_rows_butt_together_only_when_both_gap_settings_are_zero(self):
+        # intra_plugin_gap alone no longer decides this: min_content_separation
+        # would still push flush rows apart, which is the point of it.
         rows = [Image.new('RGB', (50, DISPLAY_H), (255, 255, 255)) for _ in range(3)]
         pipeline = self._pipeline(
-            [('a', rows)], separator_width=32, intra_plugin_gap=0, lead_in_width=0)
+            [('a', rows)], separator_width=32, intra_plugin_gap=0,
+            min_content_separation=0, lead_in_width=0)
         pipeline.compose_scroll_content()
         assert pipeline.scroll_helper.cached_image.width == 150
         assert column_has_ink(pipeline.scroll_helper.cached_image).all()
@@ -601,3 +611,148 @@ class TestConfigSurface:
             trim_threshold=10, content_padding=8,
             min_plugin_width=8, lead_in_width=0,
         ).validate() == []
+
+
+class TestRenderWidthResolution:
+    """Vegas asks plugins to render narrower so layouts compact, not crop."""
+
+    class CfgPlugin:
+        def __init__(self, cfg=None):
+            self.config = cfg or {}
+
+        def get_vegas_content(self):
+            return None
+
+    def test_defaults_to_full_width(self):
+        adapter = adapter_with()
+        assert adapter.resolve_render_width(self.CfgPlugin(), 'p') == DISPLAY_W
+
+    def test_global_percentage_applies(self):
+        adapter = adapter_with(render_width_pct=50)
+        assert adapter.resolve_render_width(self.CfgPlugin(), 'p') == DISPLAY_W // 2
+
+    def test_per_plugin_override_beats_global(self):
+        adapter = adapter_with(render_width_pct=50)
+        plugin = self.CfgPlugin({'vegas_width_pct': 30})
+        assert adapter.resolve_render_width(plugin, 'p') == int(DISPLAY_W * 0.3)
+
+    def test_per_plugin_can_opt_back_to_full_width(self):
+        adapter = adapter_with(render_width_pct=30)
+        plugin = self.CfgPlugin({'vegas_width_pct': 100})
+        assert adapter.resolve_render_width(plugin, 'p') == DISPLAY_W
+
+    @pytest.mark.parametrize('bad', [0, 5, 150, -10, 'wide', None, ''])
+    def test_invalid_override_falls_back_to_global(self, bad):
+        adapter = adapter_with(render_width_pct=50)
+        plugin = self.CfgPlugin({'vegas_width_pct': bad})
+        assert adapter.resolve_render_width(plugin, 'p') == DISPLAY_W // 2
+
+    def test_plugin_without_config_is_safe(self):
+        adapter = adapter_with(render_width_pct=50)
+
+        class NoCfg:
+            pass
+
+        assert adapter.resolve_render_width(NoCfg(), 'p') == DISPLAY_W // 2
+
+    def test_never_exceeds_panel_width(self):
+        adapter = adapter_with(render_width_pct=100)
+        assert adapter.resolve_render_width(self.CfgPlugin(), 'p') <= DISPLAY_W
+
+
+class TestMeasuredSeparation:
+    """Rows are spaced by measured blank, not a flat additive gap."""
+
+    def _pipeline(self, grouped, **cfg):
+        from src.vegas_mode.render_pipeline import RenderPipeline
+
+        class FakeStream:
+            def get_grouped_content_for_composition(self):
+                return grouped
+
+            def get_active_plugin_ids(self):
+                return [pid for pid, _ in grouped]
+
+        class DM:
+            width = DISPLAY_W
+            height = DISPLAY_H
+
+            def set_scrolling_state(self, *a):
+                pass
+
+        return RenderPipeline(VegasModeConfig(**cfg), DM(), FakeStream())
+
+    def test_flush_rows_are_pushed_to_the_target(self):
+        # The reported problem: score cards drawn edge to edge sat 8px apart.
+        rows = [Image.new('RGB', (100, DISPLAY_H), (255, 255, 255)) for _ in range(3)]
+        p = self._pipeline([('scores', rows)],
+                           intra_plugin_gap=8, min_content_separation=24,
+                           lead_in_width=0)
+        block = p._join_plugin_rows(rows)
+        assert block.width == 300 + 24 * 2
+        ink = column_has_ink(block)
+        assert not ink[100:124].any()
+        assert ink[124:224].all()
+
+    def test_rows_with_margins_are_not_pushed_further(self):
+        # Each row already carries 12px blank per side = 24px facing total,
+        # which meets the target, so only the floor is added.
+        rows = [canvas([(12, 88)], width=100) for _ in range(3)]
+        p = self._pipeline([('padded', rows)],
+                           intra_plugin_gap=0, min_content_separation=24,
+                           lead_in_width=0)
+        block = p._join_plugin_rows(rows)
+        assert block.width == 300
+
+    def test_floor_still_applies_when_target_is_met(self):
+        rows = [canvas([(12, 88)], width=100) for _ in range(2)]
+        p = self._pipeline([('padded', rows)],
+                           intra_plugin_gap=6, min_content_separation=24,
+                           lead_in_width=0)
+        assert p._join_plugin_rows(rows).width == 200 + 6
+
+    def test_gaps_are_per_pair_not_uniform(self):
+        # Flush row then a padded row: the two gaps must differ.
+        flush = Image.new('RGB', (100, DISPLAY_H), (255, 255, 255))
+        padded = canvas([(20, 80)], width=100)
+        p = self._pipeline([('mixed', [flush, padded, flush])],
+                           intra_plugin_gap=0, min_content_separation=24,
+                           lead_in_width=0)
+        block = p._join_plugin_rows([flush, padded, flush])
+        # gap1: flush right(0) + padded left(20) = 20 -> add 4
+        # gap2: padded right(20) + flush left(0) = 20 -> add 4
+        assert block.width == 300 + 4 + 4
+
+    def test_zero_target_falls_back_to_the_floor(self):
+        rows = [Image.new('RGB', (50, DISPLAY_H), (255, 255, 255)) for _ in range(2)]
+        p = self._pipeline([('a', rows)],
+                           intra_plugin_gap=5, min_content_separation=0,
+                           lead_in_width=0)
+        assert p._join_plugin_rows(rows).width == 100 + 5
+
+
+class TestNewConfigKeys:
+    def test_render_width_pct_parses(self):
+        cfg = VegasModeConfig.from_config(
+            {'display': {'vegas_scroll': {'render_width_pct': 40}}})
+        assert cfg.render_width_pct == 40
+
+    def test_min_content_separation_parses(self):
+        cfg = VegasModeConfig.from_config(
+            {'display': {'vegas_scroll': {'min_content_separation': 16}}})
+        assert cfg.min_content_separation == 16
+
+    def test_defaults(self):
+        cfg = VegasModeConfig()
+        assert cfg.render_width_pct == 100
+        assert cfg.min_content_separation == 24
+
+    @pytest.mark.parametrize('overrides,bad_key', [
+        ({'render_width_pct': 5}, 'render_width_pct'),
+        ({'render_width_pct': 101}, 'render_width_pct'),
+        ({'min_content_separation': -1}, 'min_content_separation'),
+        ({'min_content_separation': 300}, 'min_content_separation'),
+    ])
+    def test_validate_rejects_out_of_range(self, overrides, bad_key):
+        errors = VegasModeConfig(**overrides).validate()
+        assert any(bad_key in e for e in errors), errors
diff --git a/test/test_vegas_geometry.py b/test/test_vegas_geometry.py
index b2353857..2573fc16 100644
--- a/test/test_vegas_geometry.py
+++ b/test/test_vegas_geometry.py
@@ -9,6 +9,8 @@ from src.vegas_mode.geometry import (
     column_has_ink,
     content_bounds,
     dead_window_stats,
+    edge_blank,
+    separation_gap,
     trim_to_content,
     window_coverage_stats,
 )
@@ -271,3 +273,49 @@ class TestLongestRunHelper:
     def test_run_lengths(self, flags, expected):
         from src.vegas_mode.geometry import _longest_true_run
         assert _longest_true_run(np.array(flags, dtype=bool)) == expected
+
+
+class TestEdgeBlank:
+    def test_measures_both_edges(self):
+        assert edge_blank(paint(make_img(100), 20, 60)) == (20, 40)
+
+    def test_flush_content_has_no_blank(self):
+        assert edge_blank(paint(make_img(50), 0, 50)) == (0, 0)
+
+    def test_blank_image_reports_full_width_both_sides(self):
+        # No ink means nothing to be close to.
+        assert edge_blank(make_img(64)) == (64, 64)
+
+
+class TestSeparationGap:
+    def test_flush_edges_get_the_full_target(self):
+        a = paint(make_img(50), 0, 50)
+        b = paint(make_img(50), 0, 50)
+        assert separation_gap(a, b, target=24) == 24
+
+    def test_existing_margins_reduce_the_added_gap(self):
+        # 8px blank on each facing edge already covers 16 of the 24 target.
+        a = paint(make_img(50), 0, 42)
+        b = paint(make_img(50), 8, 50)
+        assert separation_gap(a, b, target=24) == 8
+
+    def test_ample_existing_margin_adds_nothing(self):
+        a = paint(make_img(100), 0, 60)
+        b = paint(make_img(100), 40, 100)
+        assert separation_gap(a, b, target=24) == 0
+
+    def test_minimum_is_a_floor(self):
+        a = paint(make_img(100), 0, 60)
+        b = paint(make_img(100), 40, 100)
+        assert separation_gap(a, b, target=24, minimum=4) == 4
+
+    def test_never_negative(self):
+        a = paint(make_img(200), 0, 10)
+        b = paint(make_img(200), 190, 200)
+        assert separation_gap(a, b, target=8) == 0
+
+    def test_sports_card_case_gets_real_separation(self):
+        # The reported problem: cards drawn edge to edge sat 8px apart under a
+        # flat gap; measured separation lifts them to the 24px target.
+        card = paint(make_img(150), 0, 150)
+        assert separation_gap(card, card, target=24, minimum=8) == 24
diff --git a/web_interface/blueprints/api_v3.py b/web_interface/blueprints/api_v3.py
index 47cc86d3..2f7a1f8a 100644
--- a/web_interface/blueprints/api_v3.py
+++ b/web_interface/blueprints/api_v3.py
@@ -923,7 +923,8 @@ def save_main_config():
                        'vegas_min_plugin_width', 'vegas_lead_in_width', 'vegas_plugins_per_cycle',
                        'vegas_max_plugin_width_ratio', 'vegas_dynamic_duration_enabled',
                        'vegas_min_cycle_duration', 'vegas_max_cycle_duration',
-                       'vegas_intra_plugin_gap']
+                       'vegas_intra_plugin_gap', 'vegas_render_width_pct',
+                       'vegas_min_content_separation']
 
         if any(k in data for k in vegas_fields):
             if 'display' not in current_config:
@@ -974,6 +975,8 @@ def save_main_config():
                 'vegas_scroll_speed': ('scroll_speed', 1, 200),
                 'vegas_separator_width': ('separator_width', 0, 128),
                 'vegas_intra_plugin_gap': ('intra_plugin_gap', 0, 128),
+                'vegas_render_width_pct': ('render_width_pct', 10, 100),
+                'vegas_min_content_separation': ('min_content_separation', 0, 256),
                 'vegas_target_fps': ('target_fps', 30, 200),
                 'vegas_buffer_ahead': ('buffer_ahead', 1, 5),
                 'vegas_trim_threshold': ('trim_threshold', 0, 254),
diff --git a/web_interface/templates/v3/partials/display.html b/web_interface/templates/v3/partials/display.html
index 92663f9d..2b8cde7d 100644
--- a/web_interface/templates/v3/partials/display.html
+++ b/web_interface/templates/v3/partials/display.html
@@ -438,7 +438,7 @@
 
                 <div class="grid grid-cols-1 md:grid-cols-2 gap-4">
                     <div class="form-group" id="setting-display-vegas_intra_plugin_gap" data-setting-key="display.vegas_scroll.intra_plugin_gap">
-                        <label for="vegas_intra_plugin_gap" class="block text-sm font-medium text-gray-700">Row Gap (pixels){{ ui.help_tip('Gap between rows contributed by the same plugin (0–128 px).\nDefault: 8. Multi-row plugins such as sports scoreboards, news feeds and the F1 standings return one image per row; this keeps those rows close together while Separator Width still marks the jump to the next plugin. Set 0 to butt rows directly together.', 'Row Gap') }}</label>
+                        <label for="vegas_intra_plugin_gap" class="block text-sm font-medium text-gray-700">Row Gap (pixels){{ ui.help_tip('Extra gap always added between rows contributed by the same plugin (0–128 px).\nDefault: 8. This is a floor on top of Row Separation below, which does most of the work. Set both to 0 to butt rows directly together.', 'Row Gap') }}</label>
                         <input type="number"
                                id="vegas_intra_plugin_gap"
                                name="vegas_intra_plugin_gap"
@@ -447,6 +447,31 @@
                                max="128"
                                class="form-control">
                     </div>
+
+                    <div class="form-group" id="setting-display-vegas_min_content_separation" data-setting-key="display.vegas_scroll.min_content_separation">
+                        <label for="vegas_min_content_separation" class="block text-sm font-medium text-gray-700">Row Separation (pixels){{ ui.help_tip('Blank space guaranteed between rows of the same plugin, measured from the actual content rather than added blindly (0–256 px).\nDefault: 24. Rows already carrying wide margins get nothing added; rows drawn right up to their own edges — sports score cards, for instance — get the full amount, so they no longer look like they are touching. Raise it if items still feel cramped.', 'Row Separation') }}</label>
+                        <input type="number"
+                               id="vegas_min_content_separation"
+                               name="vegas_min_content_separation"
+                               value="{{ main_config.display.get('vegas_scroll', {}).get('min_content_separation', 24) }}"
+                               min="0"
+                               max="256"
+                               class="form-control">
+                    </div>
+                </div>
+
+                <div class="grid grid-cols-1 md:grid-cols-2 gap-4">
+                    <div class="form-group" id="setting-display-vegas_render_width_pct" data-setting-key="display.vegas_scroll.render_width_pct">
+                        <label for="vegas_render_width_pct" class="block text-sm font-medium text-gray-700">Plugin Render Width (%){{ ui.help_tip('How much of the screen width each plugin is told it has while drawing for the ticker (10–100%).\nDefault: 100 (unchanged). Lowering it makes plugins choose a tighter layout rather than being cropped — a weather forecast becomes narrow cards instead of five columns spread across the panel. Useful on wide displays. Override per plugin with the vegas_width_pct setting in that plugin\'s own configuration.', 'Plugin Render Width') }}</label>
+                        <input type="number"
+                               id="vegas_render_width_pct"
+                               name="vegas_render_width_pct"
+                               value="{{ main_config.display.get('vegas_scroll', {}).get('render_width_pct', 100) }}"
+                               min="10"
+                               max="100"
+                               step="5"
+                               class="form-control">
+                    </div>
                 </div>
 
                 <div class="grid grid-cols-1 md:grid-cols-2 gap-4">