diff --git a/src/wordcloud2.js b/src/wordcloud2.js
index 9d4c143..c5c018a 100644
--- a/src/wordcloud2.js
+++ b/src/wordcloud2.js
@@ -1053,7 +1053,7 @@ if (!window.clearImmediate) {
         : [ngx / 2, ngy / 2]
 
       // Maxium radius to look for space
-      maxRadius = Math.floor(Math.sqrt(ngx * ngx + ngy * ngy))
+      maxRadius = Math.floor(Math.max(ngx, ngy) / 2)
 
       /* Clear the canvas only if the clearCanvas is set,
          if not, update the grid to the current canvas state */