diff --git a/static/js/nlos.js b/static/js/nlos.js
index ed8cee5..919bc7c 100644
--- a/static/js/nlos.js
+++ b/static/js/nlos.js
@@ -200,6 +200,33 @@
     ctx.restore();
   }
 
+  // Label with a dark rounded-rect background so it stays readable over busy backgrounds.
+  function pillLabel(ctx, text, x, y, color = COLORS.fg, align = 'left', baseline = 'middle') {
+    ctx.save();
+    ctx.font = '12px system-ui, sans-serif';
+    ctx.textAlign = align;
+    ctx.textBaseline = baseline;
+    const tw = ctx.measureText(text).width;
+    const padX = 5, padY = 3;
+    const h = 14 + padY * 2;
+    let bx;
+    if (align === 'right') bx = x - tw - padX;
+    else if (align === 'center') bx = x - tw / 2 - padX;
+    else bx = x - padX;
+    let by;
+    if (baseline === 'middle') by = y - h / 2;
+    else if (baseline === 'top') by = y - padY;
+    else by = y - 14 - padY;
+    ctx.fillStyle = 'rgba(26, 29, 36, 0.82)';
+    ctx.beginPath();
+    if (ctx.roundRect) ctx.roundRect(bx, by, tw + padX * 2, h, 3);
+    else ctx.rect(bx, by, tw + padX * 2, h);
+    ctx.fill();
+    ctx.fillStyle = color;
+    ctx.fillText(text, x, y);
+    ctx.restore();
+  }
+
   // ---------- Scene 1: Straight-line LOS ----------
   function sceneLOS() {
     const s = scene('scene-los', {
@@ -1777,7 +1804,7 @@
       ctx.setLineDash([6, 4]);
       ctx.beginPath(); ctx.moveTo(xOf(0), yA); ctx.lineTo(xOf(100), yB); ctx.stroke();
       ctx.setLineDash([]);
-      labelText(ctx, 'straight LOS: blocked by terrain', xOf(50), (yA + yB) / 2 - 6, COLORS.red, 'center');
+      pillLabel(ctx, 'straight LOS: blocked by terrain', xOf(50), (yA + yB) / 2 - 8, COLORS.red, 'center', 'middle');
 
       // Ducted path: climb into the duct, bounce inside, descend to RX
       const ductMid = (ductBottom + ductTop) / 2;
@@ -1804,8 +1831,8 @@
       const hPxB = hB / altMax * pH;
       drawAntenna(ctx, xOf(0), yOf(terrain[0]), hPxA, COLORS.orange);
       drawAntenna(ctx, xOf(100), yOf(terrain[100]), hPxB, COLORS.orange);
-      labelText(ctx, 'My QTH', xOf(0) + 4, yOf(elevA) - 8, COLORS.orange);
-      labelText(ctx, 'NTMS beacon', xOf(100) - 4, yOf(elevB) - 8, COLORS.orange, 'right');
+      pillLabel(ctx, 'My QTH', xOf(0) + 4, yOf(elevA) - 12, COLORS.orange, 'left', 'middle');
+      pillLabel(ctx, 'NTMS beacon', xOf(100) - 4, yOf(elevB) - 12, COLORS.orange, 'right', 'middle');
 
       requestAnimationFrame(draw);
     }
@@ -2115,11 +2142,14 @@
           labelText(ctx, label, xOf(labelAt), yOf(fn(labelAt)) - 8, color);
         }
       }
-      drawCurve(dist10, COLORS.cyan, '10 GHz', 25);
-      drawCurve(dist24, COLORS.orange, '24 GHz', 45);
+      // Only show fixed curve end-labels when cursor is far from them
+      const cursorX = xOf(pwat);
+      const showEnd10 = Math.abs(cursorX - xOf(25)) > 60;
+      const showEnd24 = Math.abs(cursorX - xOf(45)) > 60;
+      drawCurve(dist10, COLORS.cyan, showEnd10 ? '10 GHz' : '', 25);
+      drawCurve(dist24, COLORS.orange, showEnd24 ? '24 GHz' : '', 45);
 
       // Current-point cursor
-      const cursorX = xOf(pwat);
       ctx.strokeStyle = COLORS.yellow;
       ctx.setLineDash([3, 4]);
       ctx.beginPath(); ctx.moveTo(cursorX, margin.t); ctx.lineTo(cursorX, margin.t + pH); ctx.stroke();
@@ -2131,9 +2161,13 @@
       ctx.fillStyle = COLORS.orange;
       ctx.beginPath(); ctx.arc(cursorX, y24, 5, 0, Math.PI * 2); ctx.fill();
 
-      labelText(ctx, `PWAT ${pwat.toFixed(0)} mm`, cursorX + 8, margin.t + 14, COLORS.yellow);
-      labelText(ctx, `10 GHz: ${Math.round(dist10(pwat))} km`, cursorX + 8, y10 + 14, COLORS.cyan);
-      labelText(ctx, `24 GHz: ${Math.round(dist24(pwat))} km`, cursorX + 8, y24 - 8, COLORS.orange);
+      // Flip readout labels to left side when cursor is past midpoint
+      const flipLeft = pwat > (pMin + pMax) / 2;
+      const align = flipLeft ? 'right' : 'left';
+      const offset = flipLeft ? -10 : 10;
+      pillLabel(ctx, `PWAT ${pwat.toFixed(0)} mm`, cursorX + offset, margin.t + 14, COLORS.yellow, align, 'middle');
+      pillLabel(ctx, `10 GHz: ${Math.round(dist10(pwat))} km`, cursorX + offset, y10 + 16, COLORS.cyan, align, 'middle');
+      pillLabel(ctx, `24 GHz: ${Math.round(dist24(pwat))} km`, cursorX + offset, y24 - 14, COLORS.orange, align, 'middle');
 
       requestAnimationFrame(draw);
     }