diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index 344230f7d..9255dd2be 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 {
   "name": "@mirrorstack-ai/web-ui-kit",
   "packageManager": "pnpm@10.29.3",
-  "version": "0.5.10",
+  "version": "0.5.11",
   "main": "./dist/index.js",
   "types": "./dist/index.d.ts",
   "exports": {
diff --git a/src/components/ui/navigation/dropdown-menu/DropdownMenu.stories.tsx b/src/components/ui/navigation/dropdown-menu/DropdownMenu.stories.tsx
index 859a66b98..51429069d 100644
--- a/src/components/ui/navigation/dropdown-menu/DropdownMenu.stories.tsx
+++ b/src/components/ui/navigation/dropdown-menu/DropdownMenu.stories.tsx
@@ -31,3 +31,27 @@ export const Playground: Story = {
     onSelect: (item) => console.log("Selected:", item.id),
   },
 };
+
+/**
+ * The notch head tuned to a small trigger: `notchWidth`/`notchHeight` size the
+ * tab to the icon button, and `notchRadius`/`notchInverseRadius` round the head
+ * down to the button's own corner radius instead of the default bulbous 16.
+ */
+export const TightHead: Story = {
+  args: {
+    trigger: (
+      <IconButton icon="menu" aria-label="Open menu" variant="text" size="sm" />
+    ),
+    notchWidth: 34,
+    notchHeight: 38,
+    notchRadius: 8,
+    notchInverseRadius: 6,
+    items: [
+      { id: "how", label: "How it works", icon: "play_circle" },
+      { id: "source", label: "View source", icon: "code" },
+      { type: "separator" as const },
+      { id: "subscribe", label: "Get early access", icon: "mail" },
+    ],
+    onSelect: (item) => console.log("Selected:", item.id),
+  },
+};
diff --git a/src/components/ui/navigation/dropdown-menu/DropdownMenu.tsx b/src/components/ui/navigation/dropdown-menu/DropdownMenu.tsx
index 6446361a4..e6966add4 100644
--- a/src/components/ui/navigation/dropdown-menu/DropdownMenu.tsx
+++ b/src/components/ui/navigation/dropdown-menu/DropdownMenu.tsx
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ const DD_NOTCH_W = 52;
 const DD_NOTCH_H = 46;
 const DD_R = 16;
 const DD_IR = 10;
+const DD_SW = 1.5;
 
 // Item density tokens per `size` — "lg" pads up to comfortable touch targets.
 const SIZES = {
@@ -56,6 +57,16 @@ export interface DropdownMenuProps {
   notchWidth?: number;
   /** Height of the notch tab (SVG units). Default `46`. */
   notchHeight?: number;
+  /** Corner radius of the notch outline (SVG units). Default `16`. Lower it to
+   *  match a small trigger's own radius for a less-rounded head (e.g. an icon
+   *  button with an 8px radius). */
+  notchRadius?: number;
+  /** Radius of the notch's inverse (concave) corners, where the tab curves back
+   *  into the card (SVG units). Default `10`. Usually scaled down alongside
+   *  `notchRadius` for a tighter head. */
+  notchInverseRadius?: number;
+  /** Stroke (border) width of the notch outline, in px. Default `1.5`. */
+  notchStrokeWidth?: number;
   /** Render the kit's signature notch wrapping the trigger. Default `true`. Set
    *  to `false` for a plain floating menu (e.g. selects, period pickers). */
   useNotch?: boolean;
@@ -89,6 +100,9 @@ export function DropdownMenu({
   offset = 0,
   notchWidth = DD_NOTCH_W,
   notchHeight = DD_NOTCH_H,
+  notchRadius = DD_R,
+  notchInverseRadius = DD_IR,
+  notchStrokeWidth = DD_SW,
   useNotch = true,
   placement = "bottom",
   size = "md",
@@ -207,10 +221,10 @@ export function DropdownMenu({
               notchHeight={notchHeight}
               notchSide={openUp ? "top" : "bottom"}
               notchOffset={offset}
-              radius={DD_R}
-              inverseRadius={DD_IR}
+              radius={notchRadius}
+              inverseRadius={notchInverseRadius}
               stroke="var(--color-primary)"
-              strokeWidth={1.5}
+              strokeWidth={notchStrokeWidth}
               className={cn("absolute left-0", openUp ? "bottom-0" : "top-0")}
             />
           )}
diff --git a/src/components/ui/surfaces/notch/Notch.test.tsx b/src/components/ui/surfaces/notch/Notch.test.tsx
index dc3b387ad..44c6bd566 100644
--- a/src/components/ui/surfaces/notch/Notch.test.tsx
+++ b/src/components/ui/surfaces/notch/Notch.test.tsx
@@ -19,8 +19,12 @@ describe("Notch", () => {
       <Notch width={200} height={150} notchWidth={40} notchHeight={50} notchSide="right" />,
     );
     const svg = container.querySelector("svg");
-    expect(svg).toHaveAttribute("width", "241");
-    expect(svg).toHaveAttribute("height", "151");
+    // Element is the content box (width+notchWidth × height); the centered
+    // stroke is accommodated by the padded viewBox (content + strokeWidth,
+    // offset by -strokeWidth/2) so the border stays inside the box.
+    expect(svg).toHaveAttribute("width", "240");
+    expect(svg).toHaveAttribute("height", "150");
+    expect(svg).toHaveAttribute("viewBox", "-0.5 -0.5 241 151");
   });
 
   it("sets correct SVG dimensions for bottom notch", () => {
@@ -28,8 +32,9 @@ describe("Notch", () => {
       <Notch width={200} height={150} notchWidth={40} notchHeight={50} notchSide="bottom" />,
     );
     const svg = container.querySelector("svg");
-    expect(svg).toHaveAttribute("width", "201");
-    expect(svg).toHaveAttribute("height", "201");
+    expect(svg).toHaveAttribute("width", "200");
+    expect(svg).toHaveAttribute("height", "200");
+    expect(svg).toHaveAttribute("viewBox", "-0.5 -0.5 201 201");
   });
 
   it("renders head only", () => {
@@ -38,10 +43,11 @@ describe("Notch", () => {
     );
     const svg = container.querySelector("svg");
     // offset=0 → atStart=true, topIr=0, botIr=6
-    // pathW = 60 + 6 = 66, + stroke = 67
-    // pathH = 40 + 0 + 6 = 46, + stroke = 47
-    expect(svg).toHaveAttribute("width", "67");
-    expect(svg).toHaveAttribute("height", "47");
+    // pathW = 60 + 6 = 66 (element width); pathH = 40 + 0 + 6 = 46 (element height)
+    // viewBox pads by strokeWidth so the stroke stays inside the box: 67 × 47.
+    expect(svg).toHaveAttribute("width", "66");
+    expect(svg).toHaveAttribute("height", "46");
+    expect(svg).toHaveAttribute("viewBox", "-0.5 -0.5 67 47");
   });
 
   it("applies fill and stroke", () => {
diff --git a/src/components/ui/surfaces/notch/Notch.tsx b/src/components/ui/surfaces/notch/Notch.tsx
index edfc4a537..518407222 100644
--- a/src/components/ui/surfaces/notch/Notch.tsx
+++ b/src/components/ui/surfaces/notch/Notch.tsx
@@ -197,9 +197,13 @@ export function Notch({
     const transform = getTransform(notchSide, pathW, pathH);
 
     return (
+      // Element sized to the CONTENT box; the viewBox stays padded by `pad` on
+      // every side so the centered stroke renders fully INSIDE the box. (Sizing
+      // the element to svgW+strokeWidth instead pins it `pad` larger and pushes
+      // the right & bottom strokes outside the box.)
       <svg
-        width={svgW + strokeWidth}
-        height={svgH + strokeWidth}
+        width={svgW}
+        height={svgH}
         viewBox={`${-pad} ${-pad} ${svgW + strokeWidth} ${svgH + strokeWidth}`}
         className={cn("pointer-events-none", className)}
         style={style}
@@ -225,9 +229,12 @@ export function Notch({
   const transform = getTransform(notchSide, pw, ph);
 
   return (
+    // Element sized to the CONTENT box; the viewBox stays padded by `pad` on
+    // every side so the centered stroke renders fully INSIDE the box (rather
+    // than spilling the right & bottom strokes outside it).
     <svg
-      width={svgW + strokeWidth}
-      height={svgH + strokeWidth}
+      width={svgW}
+      height={svgH}
       viewBox={`${-pad} ${-pad} ${svgW + strokeWidth} ${svgH + strokeWidth}`}
       className={cn("pointer-events-none", className)}
       style={style}