diff --git a/lib/utils/x11helpers.cpp b/lib/utils/x11helpers.cpp
--- a/lib/utils/x11helpers.cpp
+++ b/lib/utils/x11helpers.cpp
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@
 void
 qtcX11ShadowInit()
 {
-    int shadow_size = 30;
+    int shadow_size = 6;
     int shadow_radius = 4;
     QtcColor c1 = {0.4, 0.4, 0.4};
     QtcColor c2 = {0.2, 0.2, 0.2};