diff --git a/backend/endpoints/platform.py b/backend/endpoints/platform.py
index 414d2092e..f22930d3b 100644
--- a/backend/endpoints/platform.py
+++ b/backend/endpoints/platform.py
@@ -113,7 +113,6 @@ def get_platform(
 async def update_platform(
     request: Request,
     id: Annotated[int, PathVar(description="Platform id.", ge=1)],
-    aspect_ratio: Annotated[str | None, Body(description="Cover aspect ratio.")] = None,
     custom_name: Annotated[
         str | None, Body(description="Custom platform name.")
     ] = None,
@@ -124,8 +123,6 @@ async def update_platform(
     if not platform_db:
         raise PlatformNotFoundInDatabaseException(id)
 
-    if aspect_ratio is not None:
-        platform_db.aspect_ratio = aspect_ratio
     if custom_name is not None:
         platform_db.custom_name = custom_name
     platform_db = db_platform_handler.add_platform(platform_db)
diff --git a/backend/endpoints/responses/platform.py b/backend/endpoints/responses/platform.py
index 24c54e1a0..fe873d861 100644
--- a/backend/endpoints/responses/platform.py
+++ b/backend/endpoints/responses/platform.py
@@ -1,7 +1,5 @@
 from pydantic import ConfigDict, Field, computed_field, field_validator
 
-from models.platform import DEFAULT_COVER_ASPECT_RATIO
-
 from .base import BaseModel, UTCDatetime
 from .firmware import FirmwareSchema
 
@@ -35,7 +33,6 @@ class PlatformSchema(BaseModel):
     url: str | None = None
     url_logo: str | None = None
     firmware: list[FirmwareSchema] = Field(default_factory=list)
-    aspect_ratio: str = DEFAULT_COVER_ASPECT_RATIO
     created_at: UTCDatetime
     updated_at: UTCDatetime
     fs_size_bytes: int
diff --git a/backend/utils/platforms.py b/backend/utils/platforms.py
index 705ecded4..c58b0b7d0 100644
--- a/backend/utils/platforms.py
+++ b/backend/utils/platforms.py
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ from handler.metadata import (
     meta_tgdb_handler,
 )
 from handler.metadata.base_handler import UniversalPlatformSlug as UPS
-from models.platform import DEFAULT_COVER_ASPECT_RATIO, Platform
+from models.platform import Platform
 
 
 def get_supported_platforms() -> list[PlatformSchema]:
@@ -60,7 +60,6 @@ def get_supported_platforms() -> list[PlatformSchema]:
             "updated_at": now,
             "fs_size_bytes": 0,
             "missing_from_fs": False,
-            "aspect_ratio": DEFAULT_COVER_ASPECT_RATIO,
         }
 
         platform_attrs.update(
diff --git a/frontend/src/__generated__/models/Body_update_platform_api_platforms__id__put.ts b/frontend/src/__generated__/models/Body_update_platform_api_platforms__id__put.ts
index 00bede245..a3f9ed5c3 100644
--- a/frontend/src/__generated__/models/Body_update_platform_api_platforms__id__put.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/__generated__/models/Body_update_platform_api_platforms__id__put.ts
@@ -3,10 +3,6 @@
 /* tslint:disable */
 /* eslint-disable */
 export type Body_update_platform_api_platforms__id__put = {
-    /**
-     * Cover aspect ratio.
-     */
-    aspect_ratio?: (string | null);
     /**
      * Custom platform name.
      */
diff --git a/frontend/src/__generated__/models/PlatformSchema.ts b/frontend/src/__generated__/models/PlatformSchema.ts
index 6510303eb..6b0cb53f8 100644
--- a/frontend/src/__generated__/models/PlatformSchema.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/__generated__/models/PlatformSchema.ts
@@ -30,7 +30,6 @@ export type PlatformSchema = {
     url?: (string | null);
     url_logo?: (string | null);
     firmware?: Array<FirmwareSchema>;
-    aspect_ratio?: string;
     created_at: string;
     updated_at: string;
     fs_size_bytes: number;
diff --git a/frontend/src/v2/components/Activity/ActivityCard.vue b/frontend/src/v2/components/Activity/ActivityCard.vue
index 385d3703c..13d9f3708 100644
--- a/frontend/src/v2/components/Activity/ActivityCard.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/v2/components/Activity/ActivityCard.vue
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ defineProps<Props>();
         :alt="romName"
         width="100%"
         aspect-ratio="2/3"
-        cover
+        contain
       />
       <RChip
         color="success"
diff --git a/frontend/src/v2/components/Dialogs/DeleteRomDialog.vue b/frontend/src/v2/components/Dialogs/DeleteRomDialog.vue
index ad4970616..f53dfe9fb 100644
--- a/frontend/src/v2/components/Dialogs/DeleteRomDialog.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/v2/components/Dialogs/DeleteRomDialog.vue
@@ -334,7 +334,9 @@ function closeDialog() {
 .r-v2-del-rom__cover img {
   width: 100%;
   height: 100%;
-  object-fit: cover;
+  /* Show the whole cover at its natural aspect (no crop); the slot stays a
+     uniform width so the delete list's rows keep their alignment. */
+  object-fit: contain;
   display: block;
 }
 .r-v2-del-rom__cover-placeholder {
diff --git a/frontend/src/v2/components/Dialogs/EditRomDialog.vue b/frontend/src/v2/components/Dialogs/EditRomDialog.vue
index e69fec688..a5ad06f79 100644
--- a/frontend/src/v2/components/Dialogs/EditRomDialog.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/v2/components/Dialogs/EditRomDialog.vue
@@ -480,14 +480,16 @@ function handleRomUpdateFromMetadata(updatedRom: UpdateRom) {
 
 <style scoped>
 /* ── Hero ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
-   Cover sits in a fixed-width left column; fields take the rest. The
-   `align-items: start` keeps the cover anchored to the top so taller
-   stacks of fields (or the multiline summary growing) don't drag the
-   cover down with them. */
+   Cover column sizes to the cover's natural width (`auto`) so the gap to
+   the fields is exactly the grid `gap`, consistent for any cover shape —
+   a fixed-width column would leave variable leftover space beside a
+   natural-width cover. `align-items: start` keeps the cover anchored to
+   the top so taller field stacks (or the growing summary) don't drag it
+   down. */
 .r-v2-edit__hero {
   display: grid;
-  grid-template-columns: 240px 1fr;
-  gap: 18px;
+  grid-template-columns: auto 1fr;
+  gap: 24px;
   align-items: start;
 }
 
diff --git a/frontend/src/v2/components/Dialogs/RefreshMetadataDialog.vue b/frontend/src/v2/components/Dialogs/RefreshMetadataDialog.vue
index e738c6729..1a44329ae 100644
--- a/frontend/src/v2/components/Dialogs/RefreshMetadataDialog.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/v2/components/Dialogs/RefreshMetadataDialog.vue
@@ -681,7 +681,8 @@ function closeDialog() {
 .r-v2-refresh__cover img {
   width: 100%;
   height: 100%;
-  object-fit: cover;
+  /* Whole cover at its natural aspect (no crop); the slot stays uniform. */
+  object-fit: contain;
   display: block;
 }
 .r-v2-refresh__cover-placeholder {
diff --git a/frontend/src/v2/components/Gallery/GalleryShell.vue b/frontend/src/v2/components/Gallery/GalleryShell.vue
index b80e2d41a..49f61e33f 100644
--- a/frontend/src/v2/components/Gallery/GalleryShell.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/v2/components/Gallery/GalleryShell.vue
@@ -61,6 +61,7 @@ import { type ListSortKey } from "@/v2/components/Gallery/listColumns";
 import { GameCard, GameCardSkeleton } from "@/v2/components/GameCard";
 import { useBreakpoint } from "@/v2/composables/useBreakpoint";
 import { coverRatio, isBoxartStyle } from "@/v2/composables/useCoverArt";
+import { useGalleryCoverRatios } from "@/v2/composables/useGalleryCoverRatios";
 import { useGalleryFilterUrl } from "@/v2/composables/useGalleryFilterUrl";
 import { useGalleryMode } from "@/v2/composables/useGalleryMode";
 import { useGalleryViewModeUrl } from "@/v2/composables/useGalleryViewModeUrl";
@@ -242,19 +243,19 @@ const { groupBy, layout, toolbarPosition } = useGalleryMode();
 //            CSS grid `minmax(--r-card-art-w, 1fr)` stay in lock-step.
 const { xs, smAndDown } = useBreakpoint();
 const sectionEl = ref<HTMLElement | null>(null);
-// Single source for the responsive card-art width — feeds both the column
-// count and the virtualiser's row-height math so they never drift.
-const cardWidth = () => (xs.value ? 108 : 158);
-const { columns } = useResponsiveColumns(sectionEl, {
+// Card-art width reference (matches GameCard's `--r-card-art-w`); sets the
+// fixed card HEIGHT (a 2/3 cover at this width). Real width follows the ratio.
+const CARD_GAP_PX = 12;
+const cardWidth = () => (xs.value ? 130 : 158);
+const cardHeight = () => Math.round(cardWidth() / (2 / 3));
+const { columns, usableWidth } = useResponsiveColumns(sectionEl, {
   cardWidth,
-  gap: 12,
+  gap: CARD_GAP_PX,
   inset: () => (xs.value ? 64 : smAndDown.value ? 76 : 108),
 });
 
-// Active cover aspect ratio from the gallery-wide boxart style. Drives
-// both the cards' `--r-cover-ratio` (via the shell root, inherited) and
-// the virtualiser's row height so the cover shape, the grid, and the
-// scroll offsets all agree.
+// Fallback cover ratio (boxart style) — the per-card `--r-cover-ratio` seed
+// before GameCover measures the real image, plus the bootstrap skeletons.
 const { boxartStyle } = useUISettings();
 const coverAspectRatio = computed(() =>
   coverRatio(
@@ -262,6 +263,11 @@ const coverAspectRatio = computed(() =>
   ),
 );
 
+// Measured natural cover ratios feeding the flow-packer — GameCard reports
+// each cover's ratio on load (`onCardRatio`), the packer reads `ratioAt`,
+// and `ratioVersion` bumps (debounced) to trigger a single re-pack.
+const { ratioVersion, ratioAt, onCardRatio } = useGalleryCoverRatios();
+
 // 2D arrow / gamepad nav for both layouts of the gallery. Two passes:
 //   * Grid mode — rows are `.r-v2-shell__row` (the per-virtualizer-item
 //     wrapper around the row's GameCards). ArrowLeft/Right within a row,
@@ -301,8 +307,11 @@ const { virtualItems, letterToIndex, availableLetters, getItemHeight } =
     notFound: notFoundRef,
     notFoundMessage: notFoundMessageRef,
     skeletonRowCount: props.skeletonRowCount,
-    coverRatio: coverAspectRatio,
-    cardWidth,
+    cardHeight,
+    rowWidth: usableWidth,
+    gap: CARD_GAP_PX,
+    ratioAt,
+    ratioVersion,
   });
 
 const scrollerRef = ref<InstanceType<typeof RVirtualScroller> | null>(null);
@@ -682,10 +691,6 @@ const asEmpty = (i: GalleryItem) => i as EmptyItem;
 const asListRow = (i: GalleryItem) => i as ListRowItem;
 const itemKind = (i: GalleryItem) => i.kind;
 
-const rowGridStyle = computed(() => ({
-  gridTemplateColumns: `repeat(${Math.max(1, columns.value)}, minmax(var(--r-card-art-w), 1fr))`,
-}));
-
 // View-facing surface. Methods only — internal state stays internal.
 defineExpose({
   /** Re-apply the previously-saved scroll position for the current route
@@ -787,7 +792,6 @@ defineExpose({
           <div
             v-else-if="itemKind(item as GalleryItem) === 'row'"
             class="r-v2-shell__row"
-            :style="rowGridStyle"
           >
             <template
               v-for="(p, slotIdx) in rowPositions(asRow(item as GalleryItem))"
@@ -802,6 +806,7 @@ defineExpose({
                 :show-platform-badge="showPlatformBadge"
                 selectable
                 :position="p"
+                @ratio="onCardRatio"
               />
               <GameCardSkeleton v-else />
             </template>
@@ -831,7 +836,6 @@ defineExpose({
           <div
             v-else-if="itemKind(item as GalleryItem) === 'skeleton-row'"
             class="r-v2-shell__row"
-            :style="rowGridStyle"
           >
             <GameCardSkeleton
               v-for="n in Math.max(1, columns)"
@@ -988,11 +992,22 @@ defineExpose({
   margin-bottom: 16px;
 }
 
+/* Flow-packed wrapping row: same-height, natural-width cards. The packer
+   sized it to fit, so `nowrap` is safe; gaps match the packer (12) and the
+   chrome math (18). `flex-start` pins every card to the same top. */
 .r-v2-shell__row {
-  display: grid;
-  gap: 18px 12px;
+  display: flex;
+  flex-wrap: nowrap;
+  align-items: flex-start;
+  gap: 12px;
   padding-bottom: 18px;
 }
+/* Never shrink: float rounding can push a "just fits" row a hair over, and
+   shrinking a fixed-height card would crop its cover. Take ragged overflow
+   instead (also keeps skeletons, default shrink:1, at their packed width). */
+.r-v2-shell__row > * {
+  flex-shrink: 0;
+}
 
 /* Card reveal animation (.r-v2-card-fade) lives in global.css — shared
    with the Home dashboard rows. */
@@ -1086,14 +1101,10 @@ defineExpose({
   );
 }
 
-/* Smaller default cards on phones so the grid packs 2–3 per row instead
-   of one stretched card. The grid `minmax(--r-card-art-w, 1fr)` and the
-   GameCards (default size, reading the token) both shrink in lock-step;
-   the JS column-chunking above uses a matching 108px card width. Height
-   is left to the card's `--r-cover-ratio` derive rule so the boxart style
-   drives the cover shape on phones too. */
+/* Smaller cards on phones. Matches GameCard's own xs `--r-card-art-w` so
+   skeletons and the packer's card-height reference track the real cards. */
 html[data-bp~="xs"] .r-v2-shell {
-  --r-card-art-w: 108px;
+  --r-card-art-w: 130px;
 }
 
 html[data-bp~="xs"] .r-v2-shell__scroller {
diff --git a/frontend/src/v2/components/Gallery/GameListRow.vue b/frontend/src/v2/components/Gallery/GameListRow.vue
index 596f8b7b4..1615220b8 100644
--- a/frontend/src/v2/components/Gallery/GameListRow.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/v2/components/Gallery/GameListRow.vue
@@ -313,7 +313,7 @@ onBeforeUnmount(() => {
         />
       </div>
 
-      <div class="game-list-row__cell game-list-row__title">
+      <div class="game-list-row__cell game-list-row__cover">
         <GameCard
           :rom="rom"
           size="xs"
@@ -322,6 +322,9 @@ onBeforeUnmount(() => {
           :show-title="false"
           :show-platform-icon="false"
         />
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="game-list-row__cell game-list-row__title">
         <div class="game-list-row__meta">
           <div class="game-list-row__name-row">
             <div class="game-list-row__name">
@@ -576,10 +579,18 @@ onBeforeUnmount(() => {
   justify-content: flex-end;
 }
 
+/* Cover sits in its own fixed-width column (right-aligned, vertically
+   centred) so the title/meta column starts at the same x on every row and
+   the cover hugs the title side. */
+.game-list-row__cover {
+  display: flex;
+  align-items: center;
+  justify-content: flex-end;
+}
+
 .game-list-row__title {
   display: flex;
   align-items: center;
-  gap: var(--r-space-3);
   min-width: 0;
 }
 
diff --git a/frontend/src/v2/components/Gallery/GameListSkeletonRow.vue b/frontend/src/v2/components/Gallery/GameListSkeletonRow.vue
index 5e889a73d..7869c76df 100644
--- a/frontend/src/v2/components/Gallery/GameListSkeletonRow.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/v2/components/Gallery/GameListSkeletonRow.vue
@@ -44,13 +44,18 @@ const gridStyle = computed(() => ({
     <template v-for="col in columns" :key="String(col.key)">
       <div v-if="col.key === 'select'" class="r-glr-skel__cell" />
       <div
-        v-else-if="col.key === 'name'"
-        class="r-glr-skel__cell r-glr-skel__title"
+        v-else-if="col.key === 'cover'"
+        class="r-glr-skel__cell r-glr-skel__cover"
       >
         <RSkeletonBlock
           :width="LIST_COVER_WIDTH_PX"
           :height="LIST_COVER_HEIGHT_PX"
         />
+      </div>
+      <div
+        v-else-if="col.key === 'name'"
+        class="r-glr-skel__cell r-glr-skel__title"
+      >
         <div class="r-glr-skel__meta">
           <RSkeletonBlock width="60%" :height="12" />
           <RSkeletonBlock width="40%" :height="10" />
@@ -107,6 +112,13 @@ const gridStyle = computed(() => ({
   justify-content: flex-end;
 }
 
+/* Right-align the cover block to match the real row. */
+.r-glr-skel__cover {
+  display: flex;
+  align-items: center;
+  justify-content: flex-end;
+}
+
 .r-glr-skel__title {
   display: flex;
   align-items: center;
diff --git a/frontend/src/v2/components/Gallery/SettingsTab.vue b/frontend/src/v2/components/Gallery/SettingsTab.vue
index c8b97a76f..62faf4861 100644
--- a/frontend/src/v2/components/Gallery/SettingsTab.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/v2/components/Gallery/SettingsTab.vue
@@ -1,20 +1,18 @@
 <script setup lang="ts">
 // SettingsTab — platform-scoped settings rendered as the `Settings`
-// tab inside Platform.vue. Two-column layout: details (editable name
-// + read-only platform fields) on the left, cover-style picker on
-// the right. A danger zone underneath the details column holds the
-// destructive "Delete platform" action.
+// tab inside Platform.vue. Details (editable name + read-only platform
+// fields) with a danger zone underneath holding the destructive
+// "Delete platform" action.
 //
-// Mutation paths:
+// Mutation path:
 //   • `custom_name` → `platformApi.updatePlatform({ platform: { …, custom_name } })`
-//   • `aspect_ratio` → `platformApi.updatePlatform({ platform: { …, aspect_ratio } })`
-//     Both flows are optimistic — the picker / form updates the local
-//     platform reactively, a snackbar fires on success/failure.
+//     Optimistic — the form updates the local platform reactively, a
+//     snackbar fires on success/failure.
 //
 // Delete: emitted upward (`@delete`) so the view orchestrator can
 // drive the confirm + router navigation. Same vocabulary as the
 // pre-tabs admin kebab.
-import { RBtn, RChip, RForm, RIcon, RTextField } from "@v2/lib";
+import { RBtn, RForm, RIcon, RTextField } from "@v2/lib";
 import { computed, ref, watch } from "vue";
 import { useI18n } from "vue-i18n";
 import platformApi from "@/services/api/platform";
@@ -125,119 +123,6 @@ const details = computed<DetailRow[]>(() => {
   });
   return rows;
 });
-
-// ── Aspect ratio ────────────────────────────────────────────────
-// Platform-specific options. DVD / Blu-ray / DS / PSP / Switch
-// families each add their natural-fit aspect on top of the universal
-// 2:3 / 3:4 / 1:1 / 16:11 baseline.
-const DVD_PLATFORMS = new Set([
-  "dvd-player",
-  "ps2",
-  "ngc",
-  "wii",
-  "wiiu",
-  "xbox",
-  "xbox360",
-  "win",
-]);
-const BLU_RAY_PLATFORMS = new Set([
-  "blu-ray-player",
-  "ps3",
-  "ps4",
-  "ps5",
-  "psvita",
-  "xboxone",
-  "series-x-s",
-]);
-const DS_3DS_PLATFORMS = new Set([
-  "nds",
-  "nintendo-dsi",
-  "3ds",
-  "new-nintendo-3ds",
-  "psx",
-  "dc",
-]);
-const PSP_PLATFORMS = new Set(["psp", "psp-minis"]);
-const SWITCH_PLATFORMS = new Set(["switch", "switch-2"]);
-
-interface AspectOption {
-  name: string;
-  size: number;
-  source: string;
-}
-
-const aspectOptions = computed<AspectOption[]>(() => {
-  const slug = props.platform.slug?.toLowerCase() ?? "";
-  return [
-    { name: "2 / 3", size: 2 / 3, source: "SteamGridDB" },
-    { name: "3 / 4", size: 3 / 4, source: "IGDB / MobyGames" },
-    {
-      name: "1 / 1",
-      size: 1 / 1,
-      source: t("platform.old-squared-cases"),
-    },
-    {
-      name: "16 / 11",
-      size: 16 / 11,
-      source: t("platform.old-horizontal-cases"),
-    },
-    ...(DVD_PLATFORMS.has(slug)
-      ? [{ name: "0.71 / 1", size: 0.71 / 1, source: "DVD" }]
-      : []),
-    ...(BLU_RAY_PLATFORMS.has(slug)
-      ? [
-          {
-            name: "0.79 / 1",
-            size: 0.79 / 1,
-            source: "Blu-ray (Full artwork)",
-          },
-          {
-            name: "0.87 / 1",
-            size: 0.87 / 1,
-            source: "Blu-ray (Plastic header)",
-          },
-        ]
-      : []),
-    ...(DS_3DS_PLATFORMS.has(slug)
-      ? [{ name: "1.08 / 1", size: 1.08 / 1, source: "Nintendo DS / 3DS" }]
-      : []),
-    ...(PSP_PLATFORMS.has(slug)
-      ? [{ name: "0.58 / 1", size: 0.58 / 1, source: "PSP" }]
-      : []),
-    ...(SWITCH_PLATFORMS.has(slug)
-      ? [{ name: "0.62 / 1", size: 0.62 / 1, source: "Switch" }]
-      : []),
-  ];
-});
-
-const selectedAspect = computed(() => props.platform.aspect_ratio ?? "3 / 4");
-
-async function setAspect(option: AspectOption) {
-  if (option.name === selectedAspect.value) return;
-  try {
-    const { data } = await platformApi.updatePlatform({
-      platform: { ...props.platform, aspect_ratio: option.name },
-    });
-    platformsStore.update(data);
-    if (galleryRoms.currentPlatform?.id === data.id) {
-      galleryRoms.setCurrentPlatform(data);
-    }
-    snackbar.success(t("platform.updated") || "Platform updated", {
-      icon: "mdi-check-bold",
-    });
-  } catch (err) {
-    const e = err as {
-      response?: { data?: { msg?: string } };
-      message?: string;
-    };
-    snackbar.error(
-      `Failed to update aspect ratio: ${
-        e?.response?.data?.msg || e?.message || "unknown error"
-      }`,
-      { icon: "mdi-close-circle" },
-    );
-  }
-}
 </script>
 
 <template>
@@ -346,65 +231,19 @@ async function setAspect(option: AspectOption) {
         </div>
       </section>
     </div>
-
-    <!-- Right column — cover-style picker. -->
-    <div class="r-v2-plat-settings__col">
-      <section class="r-v2-plat-settings__section">
-        <header class="r-v2-plat-settings__section-head">
-          <RIcon icon="mdi-aspect-ratio" size="14" />
-          <span>{{ t("platform.cover-style") }}</span>
-        </header>
-        <div class="r-v2-plat-settings__aspects">
-          <button
-            v-for="opt in aspectOptions"
-            :key="opt.name"
-            type="button"
-            class="r-v2-plat-settings__aspect"
-            :class="{
-              'r-v2-plat-settings__aspect--active': opt.name === selectedAspect,
-            }"
-            :aria-pressed="opt.name === selectedAspect"
-            @click="setAspect(opt)"
-          >
-            <span
-              class="r-v2-plat-settings__aspect-tile"
-              :style="{ aspectRatio: String(opt.size) }"
-            >
-              <span class="r-v2-plat-settings__aspect-name">{{
-                opt.name
-              }}</span>
-            </span>
-            <RChip
-              size="x-small"
-              variant="translucent"
-              class="r-v2-plat-settings__aspect-source"
-            >
-              {{ opt.source }}
-            </RChip>
-          </button>
-        </div>
-      </section>
-    </div>
   </div>
 </template>
 
 <style scoped>
 .r-v2-plat-settings {
+  /* Single column — details + danger zone, constrained to a readable
+     width rather than stretching the full tab. */
   display: grid;
-  /* Two-column layout — details + danger zone on the left, cover-style
-     picker on the right. Collapses to a single column under 900px so
-     the aspect grid keeps reasonable card sizing. */
-  grid-template-columns: minmax(280px, 360px) 1fr;
+  grid-template-columns: minmax(280px, 460px);
   gap: 28px;
   align-items: start;
 }
 
-@media (max-width: 900px) {
-  .r-v2-plat-settings {
-    grid-template-columns: 1fr;
-  }
-}
-
 .r-v2-plat-settings__col {
   display: flex;
   flex-direction: column;
@@ -504,66 +343,4 @@ async function setAspect(option: AspectOption) {
   color: var(--r-color-fg-muted);
   line-height: 1.4;
 }
-
-/* ── Aspect ratio grid ─────────────────────────────────────────── */
-.r-v2-plat-settings__aspects {
-  display: grid;
-  grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fill, minmax(140px, 1fr));
-  gap: 10px;
-}
-.r-v2-plat-settings__aspect {
-  appearance: none;
-  background: var(--r-color-bg-elevated);
-  border: 1px solid var(--r-color-border);
-  border-radius: var(--r-radius-md);
-  padding: 10px;
-  display: flex;
-  flex-direction: column;
-  align-items: center;
-  gap: 6px;
-  cursor: pointer;
-  color: var(--r-color-fg);
-  transition:
-    background var(--r-motion-fast) var(--r-motion-ease-out),
-    border-color var(--r-motion-fast) var(--r-motion-ease-out);
-}
-.r-v2-plat-settings__aspect:hover {
-  background: var(--r-color-surface-hover);
-  border-color: var(--r-color-border-strong);
-}
-.r-v2-plat-settings__aspect--active {
-  background: color-mix(in srgb, var(--r-color-brand-primary) 14%, transparent);
-  border-color: color-mix(
-    in srgb,
-    var(--r-color-brand-primary) 55%,
-    transparent
-  );
-  color: var(--r-color-brand-primary);
-}
-.r-v2-plat-settings__aspect-tile {
-  display: grid;
-  place-items: center;
-  width: 80%;
-  background: var(--r-color-surface);
-  border: 1px solid var(--r-color-border-strong);
-  border-radius: 6px;
-  font-size: 12px;
-  font-weight: var(--r-font-weight-semibold);
-  color: var(--r-color-fg-secondary);
-}
-.r-v2-plat-settings__aspect--active .r-v2-plat-settings__aspect-tile {
-  border-color: color-mix(
-    in srgb,
-    var(--r-color-brand-primary) 60%,
-    transparent
-  );
-  color: var(--r-color-brand-primary);
-}
-.r-v2-plat-settings__aspect-name {
-  pointer-events: none;
-}
-.r-v2-plat-settings__aspect-source {
-  font-size: 10px;
-  text-align: center;
-}
 </style>
diff --git a/frontend/src/v2/components/Gallery/listColumns.ts b/frontend/src/v2/components/Gallery/listColumns.ts
index 8696aeb5a..fa6327f44 100644
--- a/frontend/src/v2/components/Gallery/listColumns.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/v2/components/Gallery/listColumns.ts
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ export type ListSortKey = Extract<
 export interface ListColumn {
   /** Sort key (matches `galleryRoms.orderBy`). `null` for non-sortable
    * display-only columns (icon labels, action menus). */
-  key: ListSortKey | "select" | "languages" | "regions" | "actions";
+  key: ListSortKey | "select" | "cover" | "languages" | "regions" | "actions";
   /** Column header label. Empty string renders no text (used for the
    * leading select column + trailing actions column). */
   label: string;
@@ -51,6 +51,9 @@ export interface ListColumn {
 export function getListColumns(showPlatform: boolean): readonly ListColumn[] {
   const cols: ListColumn[] = [
     { key: "select", label: "", sortable: false, align: "start" },
+    // Cover gets its own fixed-width column so the title/meta column starts
+    // at the same x on every row, regardless of the cover's natural width.
+    { key: "cover", label: "", sortable: false, align: "start" },
     { key: "name", label: "Title", sortable: true, align: "start" },
   ];
   if (showPlatform) {
@@ -115,7 +118,9 @@ export function getListColumns(showPlatform: boolean): readonly ListColumn[] {
  * order matches the array. */
 export function getListGridTemplate(showPlatform: boolean): string {
   const platformTrack = showPlatform ? " 200px" : "";
-  return `36px minmax(0, 1.6fr)${platformTrack} 88px 96px 84px 56px 110px 110px 88px`;
+  // Cover track = the xs cover height (64px), so any portrait→square cover
+  // fits without clipping and the title column starts at a fixed x.
+  return `36px 64px minmax(0, 1.6fr)${platformTrack} 88px 96px 84px 56px 110px 110px 88px`;
 }
 
 /** Default exports — the cross-platform variant. Used by the bootstrap-
diff --git a/frontend/src/v2/components/GameCard/GameCard.vue b/frontend/src/v2/components/GameCard/GameCard.vue
index 7ffd335db..e1e1cdbf9 100644
--- a/frontend/src/v2/components/GameCard/GameCard.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/v2/components/GameCard/GameCard.vue
@@ -234,6 +234,10 @@ function onPlatformClick(e: MouseEvent) {
 
 const emit = defineEmits<{
   (e: "click", event: MouseEvent): void;
+  /** The cover's natural aspect ratio (width / height) once its image
+   *  loads — forwarded from GameCover so the gallery can flow-pack cards
+   *  at their true shape. Carries the rom id so the consumer can key it. */
+  (e: "ratio", payload: { romId: number; ratio: number }): void;
 }>();
 
 // Gallery selection — only wired when the consumer opts in via
@@ -409,6 +413,7 @@ function onStaticKeydown(e: KeyboardEvent) {
       :webp="webp"
       :active="coverActive"
       :morph-id="isSynthetic ? null : rom.id"
+      @ratio="emit('ratio', { romId: rom.id, ratio: $event })"
     >
       <!-- Selection checkbox — top-left, drawn over the cover. Hidden
            at rest; appears on hover for discoverability, and stays
@@ -524,13 +529,27 @@ function onStaticKeydown(e: KeyboardEvent) {
   color: var(--r-color-fg);
 }
 
-/* Default (gallery) card derives its art height from the active cover
-   ratio so the boxart style drives the shape (cover_path 2/3, box3d 3/4,
-   physical / miximage 1/1). Explicit size tiers + hero keep their fixed
-   footprints — they set `--r-card-art-h` directly. `--r-cover-ratio` is
-   set inline by `useCoverArt`; the fallback keeps standalone cards sane. */
+/* Non-hero cards render at a FIXED HEIGHT with NATURAL WIDTH — same height,
+   varying widths, never cropped. `size` just picks the height (the default
+   derives it from the reference width; tiers set it directly). Only `hero`
+   (16:9) keeps a fixed w×h footprint. */
 .r-gc:not([class*="r-gc--size-"]):not(.r-gc--hero) {
-  --r-card-art-h: calc(var(--r-card-art-w) / var(--r-cover-ratio, 0.6667));
+  --r-card-art-h: calc(var(--r-card-art-w) / 0.6667);
+}
+.r-gc:not(.r-gc--hero) {
+  width: auto;
+  display: flex;
+  flex-direction: column;
+}
+/* Width follows the cover (overrides GameCover's base `width: 100%`). */
+.r-gc:not(.r-gc--hero) .r-gc__art {
+  width: auto;
+}
+/* Label fills the cover's width and ellipsises, without widening the card. */
+.r-gc:not(.r-gc--hero) .r-gc__label {
+  width: 0;
+  min-width: 100%;
+  max-width: 100%;
 }
 
 /* The art box IS the shared <GameCover> (this class lands on its root).
diff --git a/frontend/src/v2/components/GameDetails/GameHeader.vue b/frontend/src/v2/components/GameDetails/GameHeader.vue
index 9b39362fa..8dcd9c8ce 100644
--- a/frontend/src/v2/components/GameDetails/GameHeader.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/v2/components/GameDetails/GameHeader.vue
@@ -41,10 +41,6 @@ const actions = useGameActions(() => props.rom);
     </h1>
 
     <div class="r-v2-det-header__meta">
-      <span v-if="releaseDate">{{ releaseDate }}</span>
-      <span v-if="releaseDate && platformLabel" class="r-v2-det-header__sep">
-        ·
-      </span>
       <router-link
         v-if="actions.platformPath.value"
         :to="actions.platformPath.value"
@@ -59,12 +55,9 @@ const actions = useGameActions(() => props.rom);
         />
         {{ platformLabel }}
       </router-link>
-      <span
-        v-if="(releaseDate || platformLabel) && verified"
-        class="r-v2-det-header__sep"
-      >
-        ·
-      </span>
+      <span v-if="releaseDate" class="r-v2-det-header__sep"> · </span>
+      <span v-if="releaseDate">{{ releaseDate }}</span>
+      <span v-if="verified" class="r-v2-det-header__sep"> · </span>
       <!-- Icon-only verified indicator. The check decagram is a strong
            enough signal on its own; the "Verified" word was just noise
            in a row that's already mostly text. RTooltip preserves the
@@ -77,27 +70,34 @@ const actions = useGameActions(() => props.rom);
           activator="parent"
         />
       </span>
-    </div>
 
-    <div
-      v-if="regions.length || languages.length || tags.length"
-      class="r-v2-det-header__tags"
-    >
-      <RTag
-        v-for="r in regions"
-        :key="`r-${r}`"
-        :text="r"
-        tone="info"
-        size="small"
-      />
-      <RTag
-        v-for="l in languages"
-        :key="`l-${l}`"
-        :text="l"
-        tone="brand"
-        size="small"
-      />
-      <RTag v-for="t in tags" :key="`t-${t}`" :text="t" size="small" />
+      <span
+        v-if="regions.length || languages.length || tags.length"
+        class="r-v2-det-header__sep"
+      >
+        ·
+      </span>
+
+      <span
+        v-if="regions.length || languages.length || tags.length"
+        class="r-v2-det-header__tags"
+      >
+        <RTag
+          v-for="r in regions"
+          :key="`r-${r}`"
+          :text="r"
+          tone="info"
+          size="small"
+        />
+        <RTag
+          v-for="l in languages"
+          :key="`l-${l}`"
+          :text="l"
+          tone="brand"
+          size="small"
+        />
+        <RTag v-for="t in tags" :key="`t-${t}`" :text="t" size="small" />
+      </span>
     </div>
 
     <div v-if="rom.sibling_roms.length > 0" class="r-v2-det-header__versions">
diff --git a/frontend/src/v2/components/GameDetails/InfoGrid.vue b/frontend/src/v2/components/GameDetails/InfoGrid.vue
index 14020815c..044aa3c3d 100644
--- a/frontend/src/v2/components/GameDetails/InfoGrid.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/v2/components/GameDetails/InfoGrid.vue
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ const visible = () => props.sections.filter((s) => s.items.length > 0);
    surfaces feel like siblings. */
 .r-v2-det-infogrid {
   display: grid;
-  grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fill, minmax(240px, 1fr));
+  grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fill, minmax(240px, auto));
   gap: 18px 24px;
   width: 100%;
 }
diff --git a/frontend/src/v2/components/GameDetails/OverviewTab.vue b/frontend/src/v2/components/GameDetails/OverviewTab.vue
index 59a2e552b..a2899f7e9 100644
--- a/frontend/src/v2/components/GameDetails/OverviewTab.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/v2/components/GameDetails/OverviewTab.vue
@@ -65,6 +65,16 @@ const hasQuickFacts = computed(
   () => !!props.playerCount || hasAgeRatings.value,
 );
 
+// Mirror HLTBStrip's "has anything to show" so the section heading only
+// appears alongside the strip (which renders nothing without durations).
+const hasHltb = computed(() => {
+  const m = props.hltb;
+  if (!m) return false;
+  return [m.main_story, m.main_plus_extra, m.completionist, m.all_styles].some(
+    (v) => (v ?? 0) > 0,
+  );
+});
+
 // Enrich the slim `{ id, name }` user_collections payload from the
 // ROM with the full Collection record (cover paths, rom_count) the
 // store already holds — so we can render real CollectionTile mosaics
@@ -204,13 +214,22 @@ const coverSource = computed(() => {
     <InfoGrid :sections="sections" />
 
     <!-- 4. Screenshots — scraped metadata images, read-only here. -->
-    <ScreenshotsTab
-      v-if="screenshots.length"
-      :screenshots="screenshots.map((url) => ({ url }))"
-    />
+    <div v-if="screenshots.length" class="overview-tab__section">
+      <h4 class="overview-tab__section-heading">
+        <RIcon icon="mdi-image-multiple-outline" size="14" />
+        {{ t("rom.screenshots") }}
+      </h4>
+      <ScreenshotsTab :screenshots="screenshots.map((url) => ({ url }))" />
+    </div>
 
     <!-- 5. HLTB -->
-    <HLTBStrip :metadata="hltb" />
+    <div v-if="hasHltb" class="overview-tab__section">
+      <h4 class="overview-tab__section-heading">
+        <RIcon icon="mdi-clock-outline" size="14" />
+        {{ t("rom.how-long-to-beat") }}
+      </h4>
+      <HLTBStrip :metadata="hltb" />
+    </div>
 
     <!-- 5. Related games — each category gets its own labelled section,
          rendered inline as siblings to the rest of the overview blocks.
@@ -219,36 +238,36 @@ const coverSource = computed(() => {
          metadata, and the empty sections are already hidden by their
          own `v-if`. -->
     <template v-if="hasRelated">
-      <div v-if="expansions.length" class="overview-tab__related-section">
-        <h4 class="overview-tab__related-heading">
+      <div v-if="expansions.length" class="overview-tab__section">
+        <h4 class="overview-tab__section-heading">
           <RIcon icon="mdi-puzzle-outline" size="14" />
           Expansions
         </h4>
         <RelatedGamesGrid title="" :items="expansions" />
       </div>
-      <div v-if="dlcs.length" class="overview-tab__related-section">
-        <h4 class="overview-tab__related-heading">
+      <div v-if="dlcs.length" class="overview-tab__section">
+        <h4 class="overview-tab__section-heading">
           <RIcon icon="mdi-package-variant-closed" size="14" />
           DLC
         </h4>
         <RelatedGamesGrid title="" :items="dlcs" />
       </div>
-      <div v-if="remakes.length" class="overview-tab__related-section">
-        <h4 class="overview-tab__related-heading">
+      <div v-if="remakes.length" class="overview-tab__section">
+        <h4 class="overview-tab__section-heading">
           <RIcon icon="mdi-refresh" size="14" />
           Remakes
         </h4>
         <RelatedGamesGrid title="" :items="remakes" />
       </div>
-      <div v-if="remasters.length" class="overview-tab__related-section">
-        <h4 class="overview-tab__related-heading">
+      <div v-if="remasters.length" class="overview-tab__section">
+        <h4 class="overview-tab__section-heading">
           <RIcon icon="mdi-image-auto-adjust" size="14" />
           Remasters
         </h4>
         <RelatedGamesGrid title="" :items="remasters" />
       </div>
-      <div v-if="similarGames.length" class="overview-tab__related-section">
-        <h4 class="overview-tab__related-heading">
+      <div v-if="similarGames.length" class="overview-tab__section">
+        <h4 class="overview-tab__section-heading">
           <RIcon icon="mdi-shape-outline" size="14" />
           Similar games
         </h4>
@@ -389,14 +408,15 @@ const coverSource = computed(() => {
   border-radius: 3px;
 }
 
-/* Related games — each category is a sibling block in the overview
+/* Labelled overview section (screenshots, HLTB, each related-games
+   category) — a heading + its content as a sibling block in the overview
    flex column; the outer column's `gap: 30px` provides separation. */
-.overview-tab__related-section {
+.overview-tab__section {
   display: flex;
   flex-direction: column;
   gap: 8px;
 }
-.overview-tab__related-heading {
+.overview-tab__section-heading {
   margin: 0;
   display: inline-flex;
   align-items: center;
diff --git a/frontend/src/v2/components/Home/Widgets/RandomPickWidget.vue b/frontend/src/v2/components/Home/Widgets/RandomPickWidget.vue
index f26ca52c9..c56705dbc 100644
--- a/frontend/src/v2/components/Home/Widgets/RandomPickWidget.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/v2/components/Home/Widgets/RandomPickWidget.vue
@@ -5,15 +5,14 @@
 // calls per pick: one to learn the library total, one to fetch the
 // selected offset; same approach the v1 RandomBtn uses. The pick is
 // intentionally not cached so each mount re-shuffles.
-import { RBtn, RImg } from "@v2/lib";
-import { computed, onMounted, ref } from "vue";
+import { RBtn } from "@v2/lib";
+import { onMounted, ref } from "vue";
 import { useI18n } from "vue-i18n";
 import { useRouter } from "vue-router";
 import { ROUTES } from "@/plugins/router";
 import romApi from "@/services/api/rom";
 import type { SimpleRom } from "@/stores/roms";
-import { useCoverArt } from "@/v2/composables/useCoverArt";
-import { coverPlaceholderArt } from "@/v2/utils/covers";
+import GameCover from "@/v2/components/shared/GameCover.vue";
 import WidgetCard from "./WidgetCard.vue";
 
 defineOptions({ inheritAttrs: false });
@@ -24,21 +23,6 @@ const router = useRouter();
 const pick = ref<SimpleRom | null>(null);
 const loading = ref(false);
 
-// Honour the chosen boxart style here too — the picked cover matches the
-// gallery. `useCoverArt` resolves the styled art + webp; we fall back to
-// the generated placeholder when the rom has no cover at all.
-const art = useCoverArt(() => pick.value);
-const coverSrc = computed(() => {
-  const r = pick.value;
-  if (!r) return "";
-  return (
-    art.coverUrl.value ??
-    art.fallbackUrl.value ??
-    coverPlaceholderArt(r.name || r.fs_name, r.is_identified)
-  );
-});
-const coverContain = computed(() => art.objectFit.value === "contain");
-
 async function reroll() {
   loading.value = true;
   try {
@@ -73,13 +57,10 @@ onMounted(reroll);
 <template>
   <WidgetCard :title="t('home.widget-random-pick')" :loading="loading">
     <div v-if="pick" class="r-v2-widget-pick__body">
-      <RImg
-        :src="coverSrc"
-        :alt="pick.name || pick.fs_name"
-        :width="52"
-        :height="70"
-        :cover="!coverContain"
-        :contain="coverContain"
+      <GameCover
+        :rom="pick"
+        :title="pick.name || pick.fs_name"
+        :identified="pick.is_identified"
         class="r-v2-widget-pick__cover"
       />
       <div class="r-v2-widget-pick__info">
@@ -126,10 +107,15 @@ onMounted(reroll);
   min-width: 0;
 }
 
-.r-v2-widget-pick__cover {
+/* Fixed height, natural width — the cover renders at its image's true
+   aspect (GameCover measures it), matching the gallery. The descendant
+   selector outweighs GameCover's base `width: 100%` so width can follow
+   the ratio. */
+.r-v2-widget-pick__body .r-v2-widget-pick__cover {
+  height: 70px;
+  width: auto;
   flex-shrink: 0;
-  border-radius: var(--r-radius-sm);
-  overflow: hidden;
+  --r-cover-radius: var(--r-radius-sm);
 }
 
 .r-v2-widget-pick__info {
diff --git a/frontend/src/v2/components/Scan/ScanPlatformRow.vue b/frontend/src/v2/components/Scan/ScanPlatformRow.vue
index 2ad2a1344..9d7b296ce 100644
--- a/frontend/src/v2/components/Scan/ScanPlatformRow.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/v2/components/Scan/ScanPlatformRow.vue
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ function coverFor(rom: SimpleRom): string {
       :alt="displayName"
       :width="36"
       :height="48"
-      cover
+      contain
       class="r-v2-scan-platform__cover"
       :class="{ 'r-v2-scan-platform__cover--reveal': coverPop }"
       @load="onCoverLoad"
diff --git a/frontend/src/v2/components/shared/CoverPlaceholder.vue b/frontend/src/v2/components/shared/CoverPlaceholder.vue
index 73beb9875..cd4774dd9 100644
--- a/frontend/src/v2/components/shared/CoverPlaceholder.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/v2/components/shared/CoverPlaceholder.vue
@@ -37,6 +37,9 @@ const artUrl = computed(() =>
   align-items: center;
   justify-content: center;
   overflow: hidden;
+  /* Query container so the title can scale with the cover box's size
+     (tiny list thumb → big detail hero) instead of a fixed px. */
+  container-type: size;
 }
 .cover-ph__art {
   position: absolute;
@@ -62,9 +65,9 @@ const artUrl = computed(() =>
   position: relative;
   z-index: 1;
   max-width: 100%;
-  padding: 8px 10px;
+  font-size: clamp(8px, 8cqmin, 18px);
+  padding: 0.5em 0.7em;
   text-align: center;
-  font-size: 12px;
   font-weight: var(--r-font-weight-semibold);
   line-height: 1.35;
   color: var(--r-color-overlay-fg);
diff --git a/frontend/src/v2/components/shared/GameCover.vue b/frontend/src/v2/components/shared/GameCover.vue
index 5bd266cd5..700341a0d 100644
--- a/frontend/src/v2/components/shared/GameCover.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/v2/components/shared/GameCover.vue
@@ -81,6 +81,12 @@ const props = withDefaults(defineProps<Props>(), {
   morphStatic: false,
 });
 
+const emit = defineEmits<{
+  /** The rendered image's natural ratio (w / h) once loaded — lets the
+   *  gallery's wrapping rows pack by true shape. */
+  ratio: [number];
+}>();
+
 const art = useCoverArt(() => props.rom, {
   coverSrc: () => props.coverSrc,
   forceStyle: props.forceStyle
@@ -115,12 +121,27 @@ const coverLoaded = ref(false);
 const activeSrc = computed(() =>
   showFallback.value ? art.fallbackUrl.value : art.coverUrl.value,
 );
+// Natural ratio (w / h) of the rendered image, measured on load — drives
+// the box shape. Null until decoded / for the placeholder (→ style ratio).
+const naturalRatio = ref<number | null>(null);
+function measureNaturalRatio() {
+  const el = imgEl.value;
+  if (el && el.naturalWidth > 0 && el.naturalHeight > 0) {
+    const r = el.naturalWidth / el.naturalHeight;
+    naturalRatio.value = r;
+    emit("ratio", r);
+  }
+}
 watch(activeSrc, () => {
   coverLoaded.value = false;
+  naturalRatio.value = null;
 });
 const onCoverLoad = () => {
   coverLoaded.value = true;
+  measureNaturalRatio();
 };
+// True ratio once known, else the style ratio as a first guess.
+const boxRatio = computed(() => naturalRatio.value ?? art.ratio.value);
 
 const selfHover = ref(false);
 const coverActive = computed(
@@ -161,6 +182,7 @@ onMounted(() => {
   // soft initial paint instead of getting stuck blurred).
   if (imgEl.value?.complete && imgEl.value.naturalWidth > 0) {
     coverLoaded.value = true;
+    measureNaturalRatio();
   }
   if (!props.hoverMotion) return;
   rootEl.value?.addEventListener("mouseenter", onEnter);
@@ -187,7 +209,7 @@ defineExpose({
     ref="rootEl"
     class="game-cover"
     :class="{ 'game-cover--alt': isAltStyle }"
-    :style="[{ '--r-cover-ratio': art.ratio.value }, morphStyle]"
+    :style="[{ '--r-cover-ratio': boxRatio }, morphStyle]"
   >
     <img
       v-if="showingImage"
diff --git a/frontend/src/v2/composables/useGalleryCoverRatios/index.test.ts b/frontend/src/v2/composables/useGalleryCoverRatios/index.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..a74de9c5d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/v2/composables/useGalleryCoverRatios/index.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,77 @@
+import { mount } from "@vue/test-utils";
+import { createPinia, setActivePinia } from "pinia";
+import { afterEach, beforeEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from "vitest";
+import { defineComponent } from "vue";
+import storeGalleryRoms from "@/v2/stores/galleryRoms";
+import { useGalleryCoverRatios } from "./index";
+
+// Run the composable inside a real component so its `onBeforeUnmount`
+// cleanup has a host instance. Returns the composable's result.
+function withComposable<T>(fn: () => T): T {
+  let result!: T;
+  mount(
+    defineComponent({
+      setup() {
+        result = fn();
+        return () => null;
+      },
+    }),
+  );
+  return result;
+}
+
+describe("useGalleryCoverRatios", () => {
+  beforeEach(() => {
+    setActivePinia(createPinia());
+    vi.useFakeTimers();
+  });
+  afterEach(() => {
+    vi.useRealTimers();
+  });
+
+  it("ratioAt maps position → rom id → measured ratio, else 0", () => {
+    storeGalleryRoms().romIdIndex = [101, 102, 103];
+    const { ratioAt, onCardRatio } = withComposable(() =>
+      useGalleryCoverRatios(),
+    );
+
+    expect(ratioAt(1)).toBe(0); // not yet measured
+    expect(ratioAt(99)).toBe(0); // position outside the index
+
+    onCardRatio({ romId: 102, ratio: 1.2 });
+    expect(ratioAt(1)).toBeCloseTo(1.2); // position 1 → rom 102
+    expect(ratioAt(0)).toBe(0); // rom 101 still unmeasured
+  });
+
+  it("bumps ratioVersion once per debounce burst", () => {
+    storeGalleryRoms().romIdIndex = [101, 102];
+    const { ratioVersion, onCardRatio } = withComposable(() =>
+      useGalleryCoverRatios(),
+    );
+
+    expect(ratioVersion.value).toBe(0);
+    onCardRatio({ romId: 101, ratio: 0.7 });
+    onCardRatio({ romId: 102, ratio: 0.5 });
+    expect(ratioVersion.value).toBe(0); // still debouncing
+
+    vi.advanceTimersByTime(150);
+    expect(ratioVersion.value).toBe(1); // one bump for the whole burst
+  });
+
+  it("ignores sub-epsilon changes (no re-store, no extra re-pack)", () => {
+    storeGalleryRoms().romIdIndex = [101];
+    const { ratioVersion, ratioAt, onCardRatio } = withComposable(() =>
+      useGalleryCoverRatios(),
+    );
+
+    onCardRatio({ romId: 101, ratio: 0.7 });
+    vi.advanceTimersByTime(150);
+    expect(ratioVersion.value).toBe(1);
+    expect(ratioAt(0)).toBeCloseTo(0.7);
+
+    onCardRatio({ romId: 101, ratio: 0.705 }); // delta 0.005 < 0.01
+    vi.advanceTimersByTime(150);
+    expect(ratioVersion.value).toBe(1); // no new bump
+    expect(ratioAt(0)).toBeCloseTo(0.7); // value unchanged
+  });
+});
diff --git a/frontend/src/v2/composables/useGalleryCoverRatios/index.ts b/frontend/src/v2/composables/useGalleryCoverRatios/index.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..92af551c1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/v2/composables/useGalleryCoverRatios/index.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,55 @@
+// useGalleryCoverRatios — the gallery's measured natural cover ratios.
+//
+// Covers render at their image's natural aspect, so the flow-packer needs
+// each card's ratio (width = cardHeight * ratio) to decide where rows break.
+// The API doesn't ship cover dimensions, so the only source is the image
+// itself: GameCard reports `@ratio` once its cover loads, and this collects
+// the values for the packer to read via `ratioAt(position)`.
+//
+// Keyed by rom id (not position), so the key survives a gallery context
+// switch — a re-visited platform re-packs without re-waiting on images.
+// Intentionally unbounded: two numbers per rom, reset on page reload.
+//
+// Updates batch behind `ratioVersion`: a burst of image loads bumps it once
+// (after a short debounce) so the packed layout recomputes a single time
+// instead of once per cover.
+import { onBeforeUnmount, ref } from "vue";
+import storeGalleryRoms from "@/v2/stores/galleryRoms";
+
+// Below this delta a new measurement isn't worth a re-pack (sub-pixel noise).
+const RATIO_EPSILON = 0.01;
+// Wait this long after the last new ratio before bumping `ratioVersion`.
+const REPACK_DEBOUNCE_MS = 150;
+
+export function useGalleryCoverRatios() {
+  const galleryRoms = storeGalleryRoms();
+  const ratioByRomId = new Map<number, number>();
+  const ratioVersion = ref(0);
+  let bumpTimer: ReturnType<typeof setTimeout> | null = null;
+
+  /** Record a cover's measured ratio (GameCard's `@ratio` handler). */
+  function onCardRatio(payload: { romId: number; ratio: number }) {
+    const prev = ratioByRomId.get(payload.romId);
+    if (prev != null && Math.abs(prev - payload.ratio) < RATIO_EPSILON) return;
+    ratioByRomId.set(payload.romId, payload.ratio);
+    if (bumpTimer) return;
+    bumpTimer = setTimeout(() => {
+      bumpTimer = null;
+      ratioVersion.value++;
+    }, REPACK_DEBOUNCE_MS);
+  }
+
+  /** Measured ratio for a position, or 0 when unknown (the packer then
+   *  falls back to its default ratio). */
+  function ratioAt(position: number): number {
+    const romId = galleryRoms.romIdIndex[position];
+    if (romId == null) return 0;
+    return ratioByRomId.get(romId) ?? 0;
+  }
+
+  onBeforeUnmount(() => {
+    if (bumpTimer) clearTimeout(bumpTimer);
+  });
+
+  return { ratioVersion, ratioAt, onCardRatio };
+}
diff --git a/frontend/src/v2/composables/useGalleryVirtualItems/index.ts b/frontend/src/v2/composables/useGalleryVirtualItems/index.ts
index bc3209407..4d1ffe919 100644
--- a/frontend/src/v2/composables/useGalleryVirtualItems/index.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/v2/composables/useGalleryVirtualItems/index.ts
@@ -68,6 +68,40 @@ export function galleryRowHeight(
   return Math.round(cardWidth / ratio) + ROW_CHROME_PX;
 }
 
+/** Flow-pack a contiguous run of positions into width-filling rows: each
+ *  card is `cardHeight * ratio` wide and wraps when it would overflow (an
+ *  over-wide card gets its own row). Pure; `ratioAt` applies its own default. */
+export function packFlowRows(
+  start: number,
+  end: number,
+  rowWidth: number,
+  cardHeight: number,
+  gap: number,
+  ratioAt: (position: number) => number,
+): Array<{ start: number; end: number }> {
+  const rows: Array<{ start: number; end: number }> = [];
+  if (end <= start) return rows;
+  let rowStart = start;
+  let acc = 0;
+  for (let p = start; p < end; p++) {
+    const w = cardHeight * ratioAt(p);
+    if (p === rowStart) {
+      acc = w;
+      continue;
+    }
+    const next = acc + gap + w;
+    if (next > rowWidth) {
+      rows.push({ start: rowStart, end: p });
+      rowStart = p;
+      acc = w;
+    } else {
+      acc = next;
+    }
+  }
+  rows.push({ start: rowStart, end });
+  return rows;
+}
+
 interface Options {
   layout: Ref<LayoutMode> | ComputedRef<LayoutMode>;
   groupBy: Ref<GroupByMode> | ComputedRef<GroupByMode>;
@@ -89,13 +123,18 @@ interface Options {
   notFoundMessage?: Ref<string> | ComputedRef<string>;
   /** Skeleton row count while loading the first window. */
   skeletonRowCount?: number;
-  /** Active cover aspect ratio (width / height) — drives grid row height
-   *  so AlphaStrip jumps and scroll offsets stay exact when the boxart
-   *  style changes the cover shape. Defaults to box-art 2/3. */
-  coverRatio?: MaybeRefOrGetter<number>;
-  /** Card-art width used to derive the row height (match the value fed to
-   *  `useResponsiveColumns`). Defaults to the md card (158px). */
-  cardWidth?: MaybeRefOrGetter<number>;
+  /** Fixed card-art height in px, shared by every card so every row has the
+   *  same height. Defaults to the md footprint (158px / (2/3) → 237px). */
+  cardHeight?: MaybeRefOrGetter<number>;
+  /** Usable px width of a row (container minus gutters / AlphaStrip). */
+  rowWidth?: MaybeRefOrGetter<number>;
+  /** Horizontal gap between cards in px (default 12). */
+  gap?: MaybeRefOrGetter<number>;
+  /** Natural cover ratio (w / h) for a position (card width =
+   *  `cardHeight * ratioAt(p)`). Defaults to 2/3 until the image is measured. */
+  ratioAt?: (position: number) => number;
+  /** Bump to force a re-pack when measured ratios change (Vue tracks it). */
+  ratioVersion?: Ref<number> | ComputedRef<number>;
 }
 
 const ALPHABET = "#ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ@".split("");
@@ -156,21 +195,22 @@ export function useGalleryVirtualItems(opts: Options) {
     buildLetterRanges(opts.charIndex.value, opts.total.value),
   );
 
-  // Per-style row height — recomputes when the boxart ratio or the
-  // responsive card width changes, so every grid row keeps an exact
-  // offset (the scroller is exact-offset, not measured).
-  const rowHeightPx = computed(() =>
-    galleryRowHeight(
-      opts.coverRatio != null ? toValue(opts.coverRatio) : DEFAULT_COVER_RATIO,
-      opts.cardWidth != null
-        ? toValue(opts.cardWidth)
-        : REFERENCE_COVER_WIDTH_PX,
-    ),
-  );
+  const cardHeightPx = () =>
+    opts.cardHeight != null
+      ? toValue(opts.cardHeight)
+      : Math.round(REFERENCE_COVER_WIDTH_PX / DEFAULT_COVER_RATIO);
 
-  // Signature matches RVirtualScroller's `getItemHeight` prop (which uses
-  // `unknown` because the primitive is generic). Row / skeleton-row use
-  // the per-style height; every other kind is fixed.
+  // Uniform row height (cards share one fixed art height) keeps the scroller
+  // exact-offset regardless of how many variable-width cards a row holds.
+  const rowHeightPx = computed(() => cardHeightPx() + ROW_CHROME_PX);
+
+  const ratioAt = (position: number): number => {
+    const r = opts.ratioAt?.(position);
+    return r != null && r > 0 ? r : DEFAULT_COVER_RATIO;
+  };
+
+  // `unknown` matches RVirtualScroller's generic prop. Row / skeleton-row
+  // share the uniform height; every other kind is fixed.
   function getItemHeight(item: unknown): number {
     const { kind } = item as GalleryItem;
     if (kind === "row" || kind === "skeleton-row") return rowHeightPx.value;
@@ -259,47 +299,59 @@ export function useGalleryVirtualItems(opts: Options) {
       return items;
     }
 
-    const cols = Math.max(1, opts.columns.value);
     const total = opts.total.value;
     const ranges = letterRanges.value;
+    const cardHeight = cardHeightPx();
+    const gap = opts.gap != null ? toValue(opts.gap) : 12;
+    // At least one card wide before the container is measured.
+    const rowWidth = Math.max(
+      cardHeight,
+      opts.rowWidth != null ? toValue(opts.rowWidth) : 0,
+    );
+    // Track the version so a measured-ratio change re-runs the pack.
+    void (opts.ratioVersion ? opts.ratioVersion.value : 0);
 
     if (opts.groupBy.value === "letter") {
-      // Group by letter — each letter section gets a header followed by
-      // its own row chunks (rows always restart at the letter's first
-      // position, so a letter never shares a visual row with another).
+      // Header + own flow-packed rows per letter (rows restart per letter).
       for (const range of ranges) {
         items.push({
           kind: "letter-header",
           key: `lh-${range.letter}`,
           letter: range.letter,
         });
-        const rowsInGroup = Math.ceil((range.end - range.start) / cols);
-        for (let r = 0; r < rowsInGroup; r++) {
-          const rowStart = range.start + r * cols;
-          const rowEnd = Math.min(rowStart + cols, range.end);
+        for (const row of packFlowRows(
+          range.start,
+          range.end,
+          rowWidth,
+          cardHeight,
+          gap,
+          ratioAt,
+        )) {
           items.push({
             kind: "row",
-            key: `row-${range.letter}-${r}`,
-            rowIndex: r,
-            startPosition: rowStart,
-            endPosition: rowEnd,
+            key: `row-${row.start}`,
+            startPosition: row.start,
+            endPosition: row.end,
             letters: [range.letter],
           });
         }
       }
     } else {
-      // Flat — rows are aligned to absolute positions.
-      const totalRows = Math.ceil(total / cols);
-      for (let r = 0; r < totalRows; r++) {
-        const rowStart = r * cols;
-        const rowEnd = Math.min(rowStart + cols, total);
+      // Flat — flow-pack the whole list; rows stay contiguous position runs.
+      for (const row of packFlowRows(
+        0,
+        total,
+        rowWidth,
+        cardHeight,
+        gap,
+        ratioAt,
+      )) {
         items.push({
           kind: "row",
-          key: `row-flat-${r}`,
-          rowIndex: r,
-          startPosition: rowStart,
-          endPosition: rowEnd,
-          letters: lettersInRange(ranges, rowStart, rowEnd),
+          key: `row-${row.start}`,
+          startPosition: row.start,
+          endPosition: row.end,
+          letters: lettersInRange(ranges, row.start, row.end),
         });
       }
     }
@@ -343,20 +395,20 @@ export function useGalleryVirtualItems(opts: Options) {
     }
 
     if (opts.groupBy.value !== "letter") {
-      // Flat mode — for each letter range, jump to the row that holds
-      // its first position.
-      let firstRowIdx = -1;
-      for (let i = 0; i < items.length; i++) {
-        if (items[i].kind === "row") {
-          firstRowIdx = i;
-          break;
-        }
-      }
-      if (firstRowIdx >= 0) {
-        const cols = Math.max(1, opts.columns.value);
-        for (const range of letterRanges.value) {
-          if (map.has(range.letter)) continue;
-          map.set(range.letter, firstRowIdx + Math.floor(range.start / cols));
+      // Map each letter to the variable-size row containing its first
+      // position. Both rows and ranges are ascending → one forward walk.
+      const ranges = letterRanges.value; // sorted by start
+      let li = 0;
+      for (let i = 0; i < items.length && li < ranges.length; i++) {
+        const it = items[i];
+        if (it.kind !== "row") continue;
+        while (
+          li < ranges.length &&
+          ranges[li].start >= it.startPosition &&
+          ranges[li].start < it.endPosition
+        ) {
+          if (!map.has(ranges[li].letter)) map.set(ranges[li].letter, i);
+          li++;
         }
       }
     }
diff --git a/frontend/src/v2/composables/useGalleryVirtualItems/packFlowRows.test.ts b/frontend/src/v2/composables/useGalleryVirtualItems/packFlowRows.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..55592e870
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/v2/composables/useGalleryVirtualItems/packFlowRows.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,48 @@
+import { describe, expect, it } from "vitest";
+import { packFlowRows } from "./index";
+
+// Card width = H * ratio. H=100, GAP=12 → a square card is 100px wide.
+const SQUARE = () => 1;
+const H = 100;
+const GAP = 12;
+
+describe("packFlowRows", () => {
+  it("fills a row until the next card would overflow, then wraps", () => {
+    // Row 340: 100+12+100+12+100=324 fits, a 4th overflows → 3 per row.
+    const rows = packFlowRows(0, 7, 340, H, GAP, SQUARE);
+    expect(rows).toEqual([
+      { start: 0, end: 3 },
+      { start: 3, end: 6 },
+      { start: 6, end: 7 },
+    ]);
+  });
+
+  it("packs more, narrower cards per row when covers are portrait", () => {
+    // Portrait 0.5 → 50px wide; all 5 fit in 340.
+    const rows = packFlowRows(0, 5, 340, H, GAP, () => 0.5);
+    expect(rows).toEqual([{ start: 0, end: 5 }]);
+  });
+
+  it("gives an over-wide card its own row instead of an empty one", () => {
+    // ratio 4 → 400px wide > row 340 → each alone.
+    const rows = packFlowRows(0, 2, 340, H, GAP, () => 4);
+    expect(rows).toEqual([
+      { start: 0, end: 1 },
+      { start: 1, end: 2 },
+    ]);
+  });
+
+  it("mixes widths within a row by running natural width", () => {
+    // widths 50,200,50,50: first 3 = 324 fit, 4th wraps.
+    const ratioAt = (p: number) => (p === 1 ? 2 : 0.5);
+    const rows = packFlowRows(0, 4, 340, H, GAP, ratioAt);
+    expect(rows).toEqual([
+      { start: 0, end: 3 },
+      { start: 3, end: 4 },
+    ]);
+  });
+
+  it("returns nothing for an empty range", () => {
+    expect(packFlowRows(5, 5, 340, H, GAP, SQUARE)).toEqual([]);
+  });
+});
diff --git a/frontend/src/v2/composables/useGalleryVirtualItems/types.ts b/frontend/src/v2/composables/useGalleryVirtualItems/types.ts
index a724f4560..8dddcca92 100644
--- a/frontend/src/v2/composables/useGalleryVirtualItems/types.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/v2/composables/useGalleryVirtualItems/types.ts
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ export type GalleryItem =
   | {
       kind: "row";
       key: string;
-      rowIndex: number;
+      /** A contiguous, variable-length run of positions (flow-packed). */
       startPosition: number;
       endPosition: number; // exclusive
       /** Letters covered by this row's position range (from server's
diff --git a/frontend/src/v2/composables/useResponsiveColumns/index.ts b/frontend/src/v2/composables/useResponsiveColumns/index.ts
index 51262266e..1e14a8beb 100644
--- a/frontend/src/v2/composables/useResponsiveColumns/index.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/v2/composables/useResponsiveColumns/index.ts
@@ -45,6 +45,9 @@ export function useResponsiveColumns(
   const min = options.min ?? 1;
 
   const columns = ref<number>(min);
+  // Observed content width minus `inset` — px available to a row of cards,
+  // for consumers that flow-pack by width rather than a fixed column count.
+  const usableWidth = ref<number>(0);
   let observer: ResizeObserver | null = null;
   // Last observed width — kept so a change in a reactive option (card
   // width / inset flipping at a breakpoint) can recompute without waiting
@@ -58,6 +61,7 @@ export function useResponsiveColumns(
     const inset = resolve(options.inset, 0);
     const usable = width - inset;
     if (usable <= 0) return;
+    if (usable !== usableWidth.value) usableWidth.value = usable;
     // CSS auto-fill semantics: floor((containerWidth + gap) / (cardWidth + gap))
     const next = Math.max(min, Math.floor((usable + gap) / (cardWidth + gap)));
     if (next !== columns.value) columns.value = next;
@@ -101,5 +105,5 @@ export function useResponsiveColumns(
 
   onBeforeUnmount(detach);
 
-  return { columns };
+  return { columns, usableWidth };
 }