diff --git a/specviz/widgets/plotting.py b/specviz/widgets/plotting.py
index 334172fe..2d905861 100644
--- a/specviz/widgets/plotting.py
+++ b/specviz/widgets/plotting.py
@@ -505,10 +505,11 @@ def _on_add_linear_region(self, min_bound=None, max_bound=None):
         disp_axis = self.getAxis('bottom')
         mid_point = disp_axis.range[0] + (disp_axis.range[1] -
                                           disp_axis.range[0]) * 0.5
+        disp_range = disp_axis.range[1] - disp_axis.range[0]
 
         region = LinearRegionItem(
-            values=(min_bound or (disp_axis.range[0] + mid_point * 0.75),
-                    max_bound or (disp_axis.range[1] - mid_point * 0.75)))
+            values=(min_bound or (mid_point - disp_range*0.3),
+                    max_bound or (mid_point + disp_range*0.3)))
 
         def _on_region_updated(new_region):
             # If the most recently selected region is already the currently