diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index d32e450..aa2acdd 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -211,6 +211,14 @@ npx codeburn menubar
 
 One command: downloads the latest `.app`, installs into `~/Applications`, and launches it. Re-run with `--force` to reinstall. Native Swift + SwiftUI app lives in `mac/` (see `mac/README.md` for build details). Shows today's cost with a flame icon, opens a popover with agent tabs, period switcher (Today / 7 Days / 30 Days / Month / All), Trend / Forecast / Pulse / Stats / Plan insights, activity and model breakdowns, optimize findings, and CSV/JSON export. Refreshes live via FSEvents plus a 15-second poll.
 
+**Compact mode** shrinks the menubar item to fit the text, dropping decimals (e.g. `$110` instead of `$110.20`). Opt in with:
+
+```bash
+defaults write CodeBurnMenubar CodeBurnMenubarCompact -bool true
+```
+
+Relaunch the app to apply. To revert: `defaults delete CodeBurnMenubar CodeBurnMenubarCompact`.
+
 ## What it tracks
 
 **13 task categories** classified from tool usage patterns and user message keywords. No LLM calls, fully deterministic.
diff --git a/mac/Sources/CodeBurnMenubar/AppStore.swift b/mac/Sources/CodeBurnMenubar/AppStore.swift
index 71d55dc..100647e 100644
--- a/mac/Sources/CodeBurnMenubar/AppStore.swift
+++ b/mac/Sources/CodeBurnMenubar/AppStore.swift
@@ -301,6 +301,11 @@ extension Double {
         let state = CurrencyState.shared
         return String(format: "\(state.symbol)%.2f", self * state.rate)
     }
+
+    func asCompactCurrencyWhole() -> String {
+        let state = CurrencyState.shared
+        return "\(state.symbol)\(Int((self * state.rate).rounded()))"
+    }
 }
 
 extension Int {
diff --git a/mac/Sources/CodeBurnMenubar/CodeBurnApp.swift b/mac/Sources/CodeBurnMenubar/CodeBurnApp.swift
index 501dcd6..e55aad6 100644
--- a/mac/Sources/CodeBurnMenubar/CodeBurnApp.swift
+++ b/mac/Sources/CodeBurnMenubar/CodeBurnApp.swift
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ private let nanosPerSecond: UInt64 = 1_000_000_000
 private let refreshIntervalNanos: UInt64 = refreshIntervalSeconds * nanosPerSecond
 /// Fixed so the popover's anchor point doesn't shift each time today's cost changes.
 private let statusItemFixedWidth: CGFloat = 130
+private let statusItemCompactWidth: CGFloat = NSStatusItem.variableLength
 private let popoverWidth: CGFloat = 360
 private let popoverHeight: CGFloat = 660
 private let menubarTitleFontSize: CGFloat = 13
@@ -120,10 +121,13 @@ final class AppDelegate: NSObject, NSApplicationDelegate, NSPopoverDelegate {
 
     // MARK: - Status Item
 
+    private var isCompact: Bool {
+        UserDefaults.standard.bool(forKey: "CodeBurnMenubarCompact")
+    }
+
     private func setupStatusItem() {
-        // Fixed width so the popover anchor (and thus popover position) doesn't shift
-        // every time today's cost or findings badge changes.
-        statusItem = NSStatusBar.system.statusItem(withLength: statusItemFixedWidth)
+        let width = isCompact ? statusItemCompactWidth : statusItemFixedWidth
+        statusItem = NSStatusBar.system.statusItem(withLength: width)
         guard let button = statusItem.button else { return }
         button.target = self
         button.action = #selector(handleButtonClick(_:))
@@ -152,20 +156,23 @@ final class AppDelegate: NSObject, NSApplicationDelegate, NSPopoverDelegate {
         let attachment = NSTextAttachment()
         attachment.image = flame
         if let size = flame?.size {
-            // Nudge the image down ~2pt so its visual centre sits on the text baseline mid-line
-            // rather than riding high. Exact value tuned against SF Pro Display 13pt.
-            attachment.bounds = CGRect(x: 0, y: -2, width: size.width, height: size.height)
+            attachment.bounds = CGRect(x: 0, y: -3, width: size.width, height: size.height)
         }
 
         let hasPayload = store.todayPayload != nil
-        let valueText = " " + (store.todayPayload?.current.cost.asCompactCurrency() ?? "$—")
+        let compact = isCompact
+        let fallback = compact ? "$-" : "$—"
+        let formatted = store.todayPayload?.current.cost
+        let valueText = compact
+            ? (formatted?.asCompactCurrencyWhole() ?? fallback)
+            : " " + (formatted?.asCompactCurrency() ?? fallback)
         let color: NSColor = hasPayload ? .labelColor : .secondaryLabelColor
 
         let composed = NSMutableAttributedString()
         composed.append(NSAttributedString(attachment: attachment))
         composed.append(NSAttributedString(
             string: valueText,
-            attributes: [.font: font, .foregroundColor: color]
+            attributes: [.font: font, .foregroundColor: color, .baselineOffset: -1.0]
         ))
         button.attributedTitle = composed
         // Force immediate redraw. NSStatusItem sometimes defers the status bar paint for an