diff --git a/piker/ui/_axes.py b/piker/ui/_axes.py
index 18647e70..d7f69742 100644
--- a/piker/ui/_axes.py
+++ b/piker/ui/_axes.py
@@ -18,8 +18,8 @@
 Chart axes graphics and behavior.
 
 """
-
 from typing import List, Tuple, Optional
+from math import floor
 
 import pandas as pd
 import pyqtgraph as pg
@@ -51,13 +51,24 @@ class Axis(pg.AxisItem):
 
         self.linked_charts = linked_charts
         self._min_tick = min_tick
+        self._dpi_font = _font
 
         self.setTickFont(_font.font)
+        font_size = self._dpi_font.font.pixelSize()
+
+        if self.orientation in ('bottom',):
+            text_offset = floor(0.25 * font_size)
+
+        elif self.orientation in ('left', 'right'):
+            text_offset = floor(font_size / 2)
+
         self.setStyle(**{
             'textFillLimits': [(0, 0.5)],
-            'tickFont': _font.font,
+            'tickFont': self._dpi_font.font,
+
             # offset of text *away from* axis line in px
-            'tickTextOffset': 6,
+            # use approx. half the font pixel size (height)
+            'tickTextOffset': text_offset,
         })
 
         self.setTickFont(_font.font)
@@ -79,17 +90,6 @@ class Axis(pg.AxisItem):
 
 class PriceAxis(Axis):
 
-    def __init__(
-        self,
-        *args,
-        **kwargs,
-    ) -> None:
-        super().__init__(*args, **kwargs)
-        self.setStyle(**{
-            # offset of text *away from* axis line in px
-            'tickTextOffset': 9,
-        })
-
     def size_to_values(self) -> None:
         self.setWidth(self.typical_br.width())
 
@@ -457,7 +457,7 @@ class YAxisLabel(AxisLabel):
         path = QtGui.QPainterPath()
         h = self.rect.height()
         path.moveTo(0, 0)
-        path.lineTo(-x_offset - 4, h/2.)
+        path.lineTo(-x_offset - h/4, h/2.)
         path.lineTo(0, h)
         path.closeSubpath()
         self.path = path