diff --git a/src/reactor_sim/dashboard.py b/src/reactor_sim/dashboard.py
index 03f7f61..d07a83c 100644
--- a/src/reactor_sim/dashboard.py
+++ b/src/reactor_sim/dashboard.py
@@ -224,17 +224,19 @@ class ReactorDashboard:
     def _draw(self, stdscr: "curses._CursesWindow", state: PlantState) -> None:
         stdscr.erase()
         height, width = stdscr.getmaxyx()
-        if height < 20 or width < 70:
+        min_status = 4
+        if height < min_status + 12 or width < 70:
             stdscr.addstr(
                 0,
                 0,
-                "Terminal too small; try >=70x20 or reduce font size.".ljust(width),
+                "Terminal too small; try >=70x16 or reduce font size.".ljust(width),
                 curses.color_pair(4),
             )
             stdscr.refresh()
             return
 
-        data_height = height - 5
+        status_height = min_status
+        data_height = height - status_height
         right_width = max(28, width // 3)
         left_width = width - right_width
         if left_width < 50:
@@ -243,7 +245,7 @@ class ReactorDashboard:
 
         data_win = stdscr.derwin(data_height, left_width, 0, 0)
         help_win = stdscr.derwin(data_height, right_width, 0, left_width)
-        status_win = stdscr.derwin(6, width, data_height, 0)
+        status_win = stdscr.derwin(status_height, width, data_height, 0)
 
         self._draw_data_panel(data_win, state)
         self._draw_help_panel(help_win)