diff --git a/packages/grafana-ui/src/components/RadialGauge/RadialArcPath.tsx b/packages/grafana-ui/src/components/RadialGauge/RadialArcPath.tsx
index f59614acd53..6d6d05047d2 100644
--- a/packages/grafana-ui/src/components/RadialGauge/RadialArcPath.tsx
+++ b/packages/grafana-ui/src/components/RadialGauge/RadialArcPath.tsx
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import { useId, memo, HTMLAttributes, ReactNode } from 'react';
+import { useId, memo, HTMLAttributes, ReactNode, SVGProps } from 'react';
 
 import { FieldDisplay } from '@grafana/data';
 
@@ -50,14 +50,13 @@ export const RadialArcPath = memo(
   }: RadialArcPathProps) => {
     const id = useId();
 
-    const bgDivStyle: HTMLAttributes<HTMLDivElement>['style'] = { width: '100%', height: '100%' };
-    if ('color' in rest) {
-      bgDivStyle.backgroundColor = rest.color;
-    } else {
-      bgDivStyle.backgroundImage = getGradientCss(rest.gradient, shape);
-    }
+    const isGradient = 'gradient' in rest;
 
-    const { radius, centerX, centerY, barWidth } = dimensions;
+    const { vizWidth, vizHeight, radius, centerX, centerY, barWidth } = dimensions;
+    const pad = Math.ceil(Math.max(2, barWidth / 2)); // pad to cover stroke caps and glow in Safari
+    const boxX = Math.round(centerX - radius - barWidth - pad);
+    const boxY = Math.round(centerY - radius - barWidth - pad);
+    const boxSize = Math.round((radius + barWidth) * 2 + pad * 2);
 
     const path = drawRadialArcPath(angle, arcLengthDeg, dimensions, roundedBars);
 
@@ -72,9 +71,14 @@ export const RadialArcPath = memo(
     const dotRadius =
       endpointMarker === 'point' ? Math.min((barWidth / 2) * DOT_RADIUS_FACTOR, MAX_DOT_RADIUS) : barWidth / 2;
 
+    const bgDivStyle: HTMLAttributes<HTMLDivElement>['style'] = { width: boxSize, height: vizHeight, marginLeft: boxX };
+
+    const pathProps: SVGProps<SVGPathElement> = {};
     let barEndcapColors: [string, string] | undefined;
     let endpointMarks: ReactNode = null;
-    if ('gradient' in rest) {
+    if (isGradient) {
+      bgDivStyle.backgroundImage = getGradientCss(rest.gradient, shape);
+
       if (endpointMarker && (rest.gradient?.length ?? 0) > 0) {
         switch (endpointMarker) {
           case 'point':
@@ -115,25 +119,39 @@ export const RadialArcPath = memo(
       if (barEndcaps) {
         barEndcapColors = getBarEndcapColors(rest.gradient, fieldDisplay.display.percent);
       }
+
+      pathProps.fill = 'none';
+      pathProps.stroke = 'white';
+    } else {
+      bgDivStyle.backgroundColor = rest.color;
+
+      pathProps.fill = 'none';
+      pathProps.stroke = rest.color;
     }
 
+    const pathEl = (
+      <path d={path} strokeWidth={barWidth} strokeLinecap={roundedBars ? 'round' : 'butt'} {...pathProps} />
+    );
+
     return (
       <>
-        {/* FIXME: optimize this by only using clippath + foreign obj for gradients */}
-        <clipPath id={id}>
-          <path d={path} />
-        </clipPath>
+        {isGradient && (
+          <defs>
+            <mask id={id} maskUnits="userSpaceOnUse" maskContentUnits="userSpaceOnUse">
+              <rect x={boxX} y={boxY} width={boxSize} height={boxSize} fill="black" />
+              {pathEl}
+            </mask>
+          </defs>
+        )}
 
         <g filter={glowFilter}>
-          <foreignObject
-            x={centerX - radius - barWidth}
-            y={centerY - radius - barWidth}
-            width={(radius + barWidth) * 2}
-            height={(radius + barWidth) * 2}
-            clipPath={`url(#${id})`}
-          >
-            <div style={bgDivStyle} />
-          </foreignObject>
+          {isGradient ? (
+            <foreignObject x={0} y={0} width={vizWidth} height={vizHeight} mask={`url(#${id})`}>
+              <div style={bgDivStyle} />
+            </foreignObject>
+          ) : (
+            pathEl
+          )}
           {barEndcapColors?.[0] && <circle cx={xStart} cy={yStart} r={barWidth / 2} fill={barEndcapColors[0]} />}
           {barEndcapColors?.[1] && (
             <circle cx={xEnd} cy={yEnd} r={barWidth / 2} fill={barEndcapColors[1]} opacity={0.5} />
diff --git a/packages/grafana-ui/src/components/RadialGauge/RadialGauge.tsx b/packages/grafana-ui/src/components/RadialGauge/RadialGauge.tsx
index 452dd394ab1..e60a3dfde31 100644
--- a/packages/grafana-ui/src/components/RadialGauge/RadialGauge.tsx
+++ b/packages/grafana-ui/src/components/RadialGauge/RadialGauge.tsx
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 import { css, cx } from '@emotion/css';
-import { useId } from 'react';
+import { useId, ReactNode } from 'react';
 
 import { DisplayValueAlignmentFactors, FALLBACK_COLOR, FieldDisplay, GrafanaTheme2, TimeRange } from '@grafana/data';
 import { selectors } from '@grafana/e2e-selectors';
@@ -107,14 +107,14 @@ export function RadialGauge(props: RadialGaugeProps) {
   const startAngle = shape === 'gauge' ? 250 : 0;
   const endAngle = shape === 'gauge' ? 110 : 360;
 
-  const defs: React.ReactNode[] = [];
-  const graphics: React.ReactNode[] = [];
-  let sparklineElement: React.ReactNode | null = null;
+  const defs: ReactNode[] = [];
+  const graphics: ReactNode[] = [];
+  let sparklineElement: ReactNode | null = null;
 
   for (let barIndex = 0; barIndex < values.length; barIndex++) {
     const displayValue = values[barIndex];
     const { angle, angleRange } = getValueAngleForValue(displayValue, startAngle, endAngle);
-    const gradientStops = buildGradientColors(gradient, theme, displayValue);
+    const gradientStops = gradient ? buildGradientColors(theme, displayValue) : undefined;
     const color = displayValue.display.color ?? FALLBACK_COLOR;
     const dimensions = calculateDimensions(
       width,
@@ -131,7 +131,9 @@ export function RadialGauge(props: RadialGaugeProps) {
     // FIXME: I want to move the ids for these filters into a context which the children
     // can reference via a hook, rather than passing them down as props
     const spotlightGradientId = `spotlight-${barIndex}-${gaugeId}`;
+    const spotlightGradientRef = endpointMarker === 'glow' ? `url(#${spotlightGradientId})` : undefined;
     const glowFilterId = `glow-${gaugeId}`;
+    const glowFilterRef = glowBar ? `url(#${glowFilterId})` : undefined;
 
     if (endpointMarker === 'glow') {
       defs.push(
@@ -154,7 +156,7 @@ export function RadialGauge(props: RadialGaugeProps) {
           fieldDisplay={displayValue}
           angleRange={angleRange}
           startAngle={startAngle}
-          glowFilter={`url(#${glowFilterId})`}
+          glowFilter={glowFilterRef}
           segmentCount={segmentCount}
           segmentSpacing={segmentSpacing}
           shape={shape}
@@ -170,8 +172,8 @@ export function RadialGauge(props: RadialGaugeProps) {
           angleRange={angleRange}
           startAngle={startAngle}
           roundedBars={roundedBars}
-          glowFilter={`url(#${glowFilterId})`}
-          endpointMarkerGlowFilter={`url(#${spotlightGradientId})`}
+          glowFilter={glowFilterRef}
+          endpointMarkerGlowFilter={spotlightGradientRef}
           shape={shape}
           gradient={gradientStops}
           fieldDisplay={displayValue}
@@ -183,7 +185,7 @@ export function RadialGauge(props: RadialGaugeProps) {
     // These elements are only added for first value / bar
     if (barIndex === 0) {
       if (glowBar) {
-        defs.push(<GlowGradient key="glow-filter" id={glowFilterId} barWidth={dimensions.barWidth} />);
+        defs.push(<GlowGradient key={glowFilterId} id={glowFilterId} barWidth={dimensions.barWidth} />);
       }
 
       if (glowCenter) {
@@ -234,7 +236,7 @@ export function RadialGauge(props: RadialGaugeProps) {
               endAngle={endAngle}
               angleRange={angleRange}
               roundedBars={roundedBars}
-              glowFilter={`url(#${glowFilterId})`}
+              glowFilter={glowFilterRef}
               shape={shape}
               gradient={gradientStops}
             />
@@ -260,7 +262,7 @@ export function RadialGauge(props: RadialGaugeProps) {
   const body = (
     <>
       <svg width={width} height={height} role="img" aria-label={t('gauge.category-gauge', 'Gauge')}>
-        <defs>{defs}</defs>
+        {defs.length > 0 && <defs>{defs}</defs>}
         {graphics}
       </svg>
       {sparklineElement}
diff --git a/packages/grafana-ui/src/components/RadialGauge/RadialText.tsx b/packages/grafana-ui/src/components/RadialGauge/RadialText.tsx
index 69ab16e450e..dc094b7261c 100644
--- a/packages/grafana-ui/src/components/RadialGauge/RadialText.tsx
+++ b/packages/grafana-ui/src/components/RadialGauge/RadialText.tsx
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-import { css } from '@emotion/css';
 import { memo } from 'react';
 
 import {
@@ -9,7 +8,6 @@ import {
   GrafanaTheme2,
 } from '@grafana/data';
 
-import { useStyles2 } from '../../themes/ThemeContext';
 import { calculateFontSize } from '../../utils/measureText';
 
 import { RadialShape, RadialTextMode, RadialGaugeDimensions } from './types';
@@ -50,7 +48,6 @@ export const RadialText = memo(
     valueManualFontSize,
     nameManualFontSize,
   }: RadialTextProps) => {
-    const styles = useStyles2(getStyles);
     const { centerX, centerY, radius, barWidth } = dimensions;
 
     if (textMode === 'none') {
@@ -106,10 +103,9 @@ export const RadialText = memo(
     const valueY = showName ? centerY - nameHeight * (1 - VALUE_SPACE_PERCENTAGE) : centerY;
     const nameY = showValue ? valueY + valueHeight * VALUE_SPACE_PERCENTAGE : centerY;
     const nameColor = showValue ? theme.colors.text.secondary : theme.colors.text.primary;
-    const suffixShift = (valueFontSize - unitFontSize * LINE_HEIGHT_FACTOR) / 2;
 
     // adjust the text up on gauges and when sparklines are present
-    let yOffset = 0;
+    let yOffset = valueFontSize / 4;
     if (shape === 'gauge') {
       // we render from the center of the gauge, so move up by half of half of the total height
       yOffset -= (valueHeight + nameHeight) / 4;
@@ -126,15 +122,12 @@ export const RadialText = memo(
             y={valueY}
             fontSize={valueFontSize}
             fill={theme.colors.text.primary}
-            className={styles.text}
             textAnchor="middle"
-            dominantBaseline="middle"
+            dominantBaseline="text-bottom"
           >
             <tspan fontSize={unitFontSize}>{displayValue.prefix ?? ''}</tspan>
             <tspan>{displayValue.text}</tspan>
-            <tspan className={styles.text} fontSize={unitFontSize} dy={suffixShift}>
-              {displayValue.suffix ?? ''}
-            </tspan>
+            <tspan fontSize={unitFontSize}>{displayValue.suffix ?? ''}</tspan>
           </text>
         )}
         {showName && (
@@ -143,7 +136,7 @@ export const RadialText = memo(
             x={centerX}
             y={nameY}
             textAnchor="middle"
-            dominantBaseline="middle"
+            dominantBaseline="text-bottom"
             fill={nameColor}
           >
             {displayValue.title}
@@ -155,9 +148,3 @@ export const RadialText = memo(
 );
 
 RadialText.displayName = 'RadialText';
-
-const getStyles = (_theme: GrafanaTheme2) => ({
-  text: css({
-    verticalAlign: 'bottom',
-  }),
-});
diff --git a/packages/grafana-ui/src/components/RadialGauge/__snapshots__/utils.test.ts.snap b/packages/grafana-ui/src/components/RadialGauge/__snapshots__/utils.test.ts.snap
index db4c1c40882..9d12b97a6c3 100644
--- a/packages/grafana-ui/src/components/RadialGauge/__snapshots__/utils.test.ts.snap
+++ b/packages/grafana-ui/src/components/RadialGauge/__snapshots__/utils.test.ts.snap
@@ -1,17 +1,17 @@
 // Jest Snapshot v1, https://goo.gl/fbAQLP
 
-exports[`RadialGauge utils drawRadialArcPath should draw correct path for center x and y 1`] = `"M 150 110 A 90 90 0 1 1 149.98429203681178 110.00000137077838 A 10 10 0 0 1 149.98778269529805 130.00000106616096 A 70 70 0 1 0 150 130 A 10 10 0 0 1 150 110 Z"`;
+exports[`RadialGauge utils drawRadialArcPath should draw correct path for center x and y 1`] = `"M 150 120 A 80 80 0 1 1 149.98603736605492 120.00000121846968"`;
 
-exports[`RadialGauge utils drawRadialArcPath should draw correct path for half arc 1`] = `"M 100 10 A 90 90 0 0 1 100 190 L 100 170 A 70 70 0 0 0 100 30 L 100 10 Z"`;
+exports[`RadialGauge utils drawRadialArcPath should draw correct path for half arc 1`] = `"M 100 20 A 80 80 0 0 1 100 180"`;
 
-exports[`RadialGauge utils drawRadialArcPath should draw correct path for narrow bar width 1`] = `"M 100 17.5 A 82.5 82.5 0 0 1 100 182.5 L 100 177.5 A 77.5 77.5 0 0 0 100 22.5 L 100 17.5 Z"`;
+exports[`RadialGauge utils drawRadialArcPath should draw correct path for narrow bar width 1`] = `"M 100 20 A 80 80 0 0 1 100 180"`;
 
-exports[`RadialGauge utils drawRadialArcPath should draw correct path for narrow radius 1`] = `"M 100 40 A 60 60 0 0 1 100 160 L 100 140 A 40 40 0 0 0 100 60 L 100 40 Z"`;
+exports[`RadialGauge utils drawRadialArcPath should draw correct path for narrow radius 1`] = `"M 100 50 A 50 50 0 0 1 100 150"`;
 
-exports[`RadialGauge utils drawRadialArcPath should draw correct path for quarter arc 1`] = `"M 100 10 A 90 90 0 0 1 190 100 L 170 100 A 70 70 0 0 0 100 30 L 100 10 Z"`;
+exports[`RadialGauge utils drawRadialArcPath should draw correct path for quarter arc 1`] = `"M 100 20 A 80 80 0 0 1 180 100"`;
 
-exports[`RadialGauge utils drawRadialArcPath should draw correct path for rounded bars 1`] = `"M 100 10 A 90 90 0 1 1 10 100.00000000000001 A 10 10 0 0 1 30 100.00000000000001 A 70 70 0 1 0 100 30 A 10 10 0 0 1 100 10 Z"`;
+exports[`RadialGauge utils drawRadialArcPath should draw correct path for rounded bars 1`] = `"M 100 20 A 80 80 0 1 1 20 100.00000000000001"`;
 
-exports[`RadialGauge utils drawRadialArcPath should draw correct path for three quarter arc 1`] = `"M 100 10 A 90 90 0 1 1 10 100.00000000000001 L 30 100.00000000000001 A 70 70 0 1 0 100 30 L 100 10 Z"`;
+exports[`RadialGauge utils drawRadialArcPath should draw correct path for three quarter arc 1`] = `"M 100 20 A 80 80 0 1 1 20 100.00000000000001"`;
 
-exports[`RadialGauge utils drawRadialArcPath should draw correct path for wide bar width 1`] = `"M 100 -5 A 105 105 0 0 1 100 205 L 100 155 A 55 55 0 0 0 100 45 L 100 -5 Z"`;
+exports[`RadialGauge utils drawRadialArcPath should draw correct path for wide bar width 1`] = `"M 100 20 A 80 80 0 0 1 100 180"`;
diff --git a/packages/grafana-ui/src/components/RadialGauge/colors.test.ts b/packages/grafana-ui/src/components/RadialGauge/colors.test.ts
index 321e95bb921..36a4c70d619 100644
--- a/packages/grafana-ui/src/components/RadialGauge/colors.test.ts
+++ b/packages/grafana-ui/src/components/RadialGauge/colors.test.ts
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 import { defaultsDeep } from 'lodash';
 
-import { createTheme, FALLBACK_COLOR, Field, FieldDisplay, FieldType, ThresholdsMode } from '@grafana/data';
+import { createTheme, Field, FieldDisplay, FieldType, ThresholdsMode } from '@grafana/data';
 import { FieldColorModeId } from '@grafana/schema';
 
 import {
@@ -50,35 +50,9 @@ describe('RadialGauge color utils', () => {
         },
       });
 
-    it('should return the baseColor if gradient is false-y', () => {
-      expect(
-        buildGradientColors(false, createTheme(), buildFieldDisplay(createField(FieldColorModeId.Fixed)), '#FF0000')
-      ).toEqual([
-        { color: '#FF0000', percent: 0 },
-        { color: '#FF0000', percent: 1 },
-      ]);
-
-      expect(
-        buildGradientColors(undefined, createTheme(), buildFieldDisplay(createField(FieldColorModeId.Fixed)), '#FF0000')
-      ).toEqual([
-        { color: '#FF0000', percent: 0 },
-        { color: '#FF0000', percent: 1 },
-      ]);
-    });
-
-    it('uses the fallback color if no baseColor is set', () => {
-      expect(buildGradientColors(false, createTheme(), buildFieldDisplay(createField(FieldColorModeId.Fixed)))).toEqual(
-        [
-          { color: FALLBACK_COLOR, percent: 0 },
-          { color: FALLBACK_COLOR, percent: 1 },
-        ]
-      );
-    });
-
     it('should map threshold colors correctly (with baseColor if displayProcessor does not return colors)', () => {
       expect(
         buildGradientColors(
-          true,
           createTheme(),
           buildFieldDisplay(createField(FieldColorModeId.Thresholds), {
             view: { getFieldDisplayProcessor: jest.fn(() => jest.fn(() => ({ color: '#444444' }))) },
@@ -89,14 +63,13 @@ describe('RadialGauge color utils', () => {
 
     it('should map threshold colors correctly (with baseColor if displayProcessor does not return colors)', () => {
       expect(
-        buildGradientColors(true, createTheme(), buildFieldDisplay(createField(FieldColorModeId.Thresholds)), '#FF0000')
+        buildGradientColors(createTheme(), buildFieldDisplay(createField(FieldColorModeId.Thresholds)), '#FF0000')
       ).toMatchSnapshot();
     });
 
     it('should return gradient colors for continuous color modes', () => {
       expect(
         buildGradientColors(
-          true,
           createTheme(),
           buildFieldDisplay(createField(FieldColorModeId.ContinuousCividis)),
           '#00FF00'
@@ -107,7 +80,6 @@ describe('RadialGauge color utils', () => {
     it.each(['dark', 'light'] as const)('should return gradient colors for by-value color mode in %s theme', (mode) => {
       expect(
         buildGradientColors(
-          true,
           createTheme({ colors: { mode } }),
           buildFieldDisplay(createField(FieldColorModeId.ContinuousBlues))
         )
@@ -117,7 +89,6 @@ describe('RadialGauge color utils', () => {
     it.each(['dark', 'light'] as const)('should return gradient colors for fixed color mode in %s theme', (mode) => {
       expect(
         buildGradientColors(
-          true,
           createTheme({ colors: { mode } }),
           buildFieldDisplay(createField(FieldColorModeId.Fixed)),
           '#442299'
diff --git a/packages/grafana-ui/src/components/RadialGauge/colors.ts b/packages/grafana-ui/src/components/RadialGauge/colors.ts
index 61160a9f826..3eb81c10899 100644
--- a/packages/grafana-ui/src/components/RadialGauge/colors.ts
+++ b/packages/grafana-ui/src/components/RadialGauge/colors.ts
@@ -7,18 +7,10 @@ import { GradientStop, RadialShape } from './types';
 import { getFieldConfigMinMax, getFieldDisplayProcessor, getValuePercentageForValue } from './utils';
 
 export function buildGradientColors(
-  gradient = false,
   theme: GrafanaTheme2,
   fieldDisplay: FieldDisplay,
   baseColor = fieldDisplay.display.color ?? FALLBACK_COLOR
 ): GradientStop[] {
-  if (!gradient) {
-    return [
-      { color: baseColor, percent: 0 },
-      { color: baseColor, percent: 1 },
-    ];
-  }
-
   const colorMode = getFieldColorMode(fieldDisplay.field.color?.mode);
 
   // thresholds get special handling
diff --git a/packages/grafana-ui/src/components/RadialGauge/effects.tsx b/packages/grafana-ui/src/components/RadialGauge/effects.tsx
index 53a255d4a45..2d3ae3daf21 100644
--- a/packages/grafana-ui/src/components/RadialGauge/effects.tsx
+++ b/packages/grafana-ui/src/components/RadialGauge/effects.tsx
@@ -2,14 +2,20 @@ import { colorManipulator, GrafanaTheme2 } from '@grafana/data';
 
 import { RadialGaugeDimensions } from './types';
 
+// some utility transparent white colors for gradients
+const TRANSPARENT_WHITE = '#ffffff00';
+const MOSTLY_TRANSPARENT_WHITE = '#ffffff88';
+const MOSTLY_OPAQUE_WHITE = '#ffffffbb';
+const OPAQUE_WHITE = '#ffffff';
+
+const MIN_GLOW_SIZE = 0.75;
+const GLOW_FACTOR = 0.08;
+
 export interface GlowGradientProps {
   id: string;
   barWidth: number;
 }
 
-const MIN_GLOW_SIZE = 0.75;
-const GLOW_FACTOR = 0.08;
-
 export function GlowGradient({ id, barWidth }: GlowGradientProps) {
   // 0.75 is the minimum glow size, and it scales with bar width
   const glowSize = MIN_GLOW_SIZE + barWidth * GLOW_FACTOR;
@@ -27,16 +33,6 @@ export function GlowGradient({ id, barWidth }: GlowGradientProps) {
 
 const CENTER_GLOW_OPACITY = 0.25;
 
-export function CenterGlowGradient({ gaugeId, color }: { gaugeId: string; color: string }) {
-  const transparentColor = colorManipulator.alpha(color, CENTER_GLOW_OPACITY);
-  return (
-    <radialGradient id={`circle-glow-${gaugeId}`} r="50%" fr="0%">
-      <stop offset="0%" stopColor={transparentColor} />
-      <stop offset="90%" stopColor={'#ffffff00'} />
-    </radialGradient>
-  );
-}
-
 export interface CenterGlowProps {
   dimensions: RadialGaugeDimensions;
   gaugeId: string;
@@ -52,7 +48,7 @@ export function MiddleCircleGlow({ dimensions, gaugeId, color }: CenterGlowProps
       <defs>
         <radialGradient id={gradientId} r="50%" fr="0%">
           <stop offset="0%" stopColor={transparentColor} />
-          <stop offset="90%" stopColor="#ffffff00" />
+          <stop offset="90%" stopColor={TRANSPARENT_WHITE} />
         </radialGradient>
       </defs>
       <g>
@@ -62,19 +58,15 @@ export function MiddleCircleGlow({ dimensions, gaugeId, color }: CenterGlowProps
   );
 }
 
-export function SpotlightGradient({
-  id,
-  dimensions,
-  roundedBars,
-  angle,
-  theme,
-}: {
+interface SpotlightGradientProps {
   id: string;
   dimensions: RadialGaugeDimensions;
   angle: number;
   roundedBars: boolean;
   theme: GrafanaTheme2;
-}) {
+}
+
+export function SpotlightGradient({ id, dimensions, roundedBars, angle, theme }: SpotlightGradientProps) {
   if (theme.isLight) {
     return null;
   }
@@ -88,9 +80,9 @@ export function SpotlightGradient({
 
   return (
     <linearGradient x1={x1} y1={y1} x2={x2} y2={y2} id={id} gradientUnits="userSpaceOnUse">
-      <stop offset="0%" stopColor="#ffffff00" />
-      <stop offset="95%" stopColor="#ffffff88" />
-      {roundedBars && <stop offset="100%" stopColor={roundedBars ? '#ffffffbb' : 'white'} />}
+      <stop offset="0%" stopColor={TRANSPARENT_WHITE} />
+      <stop offset="95%" stopColor={MOSTLY_TRANSPARENT_WHITE} />
+      {roundedBars && <stop offset="100%" stopColor={roundedBars ? MOSTLY_OPAQUE_WHITE : OPAQUE_WHITE} />}
     </linearGradient>
   );
 }
diff --git a/packages/grafana-ui/src/components/RadialGauge/types.ts b/packages/grafana-ui/src/components/RadialGauge/types.ts
index cc233dd524c..111c7aef7d6 100644
--- a/packages/grafana-ui/src/components/RadialGauge/types.ts
+++ b/packages/grafana-ui/src/components/RadialGauge/types.ts
@@ -2,6 +2,8 @@ export type RadialTextMode = 'auto' | 'value_and_name' | 'value' | 'name' | 'non
 export type RadialShape = 'circle' | 'gauge';
 
 export interface RadialGaugeDimensions {
+  vizHeight: number;
+  vizWidth: number;
   margin: number;
   radius: number;
   centerX: number;
diff --git a/packages/grafana-ui/src/components/RadialGauge/utils.test.ts b/packages/grafana-ui/src/components/RadialGauge/utils.test.ts
index b9b2e4ad8f3..70ee54a6337 100644
--- a/packages/grafana-ui/src/components/RadialGauge/utils.test.ts
+++ b/packages/grafana-ui/src/components/RadialGauge/utils.test.ts
@@ -283,7 +283,9 @@ describe('RadialGauge utils', () => {
   });
 
   describe('drawRadialArcPath', () => {
-    const defaultDims: RadialGaugeDimensions = Object.freeze({
+    const defaultDims = Object.freeze({
+      vizHeight: 220,
+      vizWidth: 220,
       centerX: 100,
       centerY: 100,
       radius: 80,
@@ -297,7 +299,7 @@ describe('RadialGauge utils', () => {
       scaleLabelsSpacing: 0,
       scaleLabelsRadius: 0,
       gaugeBottomY: 0,
-    });
+    }) satisfies RadialGaugeDimensions;
 
     it.each([
       { description: 'quarter arc', startAngle: 0, endAngle: 90 },
@@ -324,11 +326,6 @@ describe('RadialGauge utils', () => {
         expect(drawRadialArcPath(0, 360, defaultDims)).toEqual(drawRadialArcPath(0, 359.99, defaultDims));
         expect(drawRadialArcPath(0, 380, defaultDims)).toEqual(drawRadialArcPath(0, 380, defaultDims));
       });
-
-      it('should return empty string if inner radius collapses to zero or below', () => {
-        const smallRadiusDims = { ...defaultDims, radius: 5, barWidth: 20 };
-        expect(drawRadialArcPath(0, 180, smallRadiusDims)).toBe('');
-      });
     });
   });
 
@@ -341,7 +338,9 @@ describe('RadialGauge utils', () => {
 
   describe('getOptimalSegmentCount', () => {
     it('should adjust segment count based on dimensions and spacing', () => {
-      const dimensions: RadialGaugeDimensions = {
+      const dimensions = {
+        vizHeight: 220,
+        vizWidth: 220,
         centerX: 100,
         centerY: 100,
         radius: 80,
@@ -355,7 +354,7 @@ describe('RadialGauge utils', () => {
         scaleLabelsSpacing: 0,
         scaleLabelsRadius: 0,
         gaugeBottomY: 0,
-      };
+      } satisfies RadialGaugeDimensions;
 
       expect(getOptimalSegmentCount(dimensions, 2, 10, 360)).toBe(8);
       expect(getOptimalSegmentCount(dimensions, 1, 5, 360)).toBe(5);
diff --git a/packages/grafana-ui/src/components/RadialGauge/utils.ts b/packages/grafana-ui/src/components/RadialGauge/utils.ts
index e26cf5eed2a..a18efc42699 100644
--- a/packages/grafana-ui/src/components/RadialGauge/utils.ts
+++ b/packages/grafana-ui/src/components/RadialGauge/utils.ts
@@ -155,6 +155,8 @@ export function calculateDimensions(
   }
 
   return {
+    vizWidth: width,
+    vizHeight: height,
     margin,
     gaugeBottomY: centerY + belowCenterY,
     radius: innerRadius,
@@ -185,7 +187,7 @@ export function drawRadialArcPath(
   dimensions: RadialGaugeDimensions,
   roundedBars?: boolean
 ): string {
-  const { radius, centerX, centerY, barWidth } = dimensions;
+  const { radius, centerX, centerY } = dimensions;
 
   // For some reason a 100% full arc cannot be rendered
   if (endAngle >= 360) {
@@ -197,66 +199,12 @@ export function drawRadialArcPath(
 
   const largeArc = endAngle > 180 ? 1 : 0;
 
-  const outerR = radius + barWidth / 2;
-  const innerR = Math.max(0, radius - barWidth / 2);
-  if (innerR <= 0) {
-    return ''; // cannot draw arc with 0 inner radius
-  }
+  let x1 = centerX + radius * Math.cos(startRadians);
+  let y1 = centerY + radius * Math.sin(startRadians);
+  let x2 = centerX + radius * Math.cos(endRadians);
+  let y2 = centerY + radius * Math.sin(endRadians);
 
-  // get points for both an inner and outer arc. we draw
-  // the arc entirely with a path's fill instead of using stroke
-  // so that it can be used as a clip-path.
-  const ox1 = centerX + outerR * Math.cos(startRadians);
-  const oy1 = centerY + outerR * Math.sin(startRadians);
-  const ox2 = centerX + outerR * Math.cos(endRadians);
-  const oy2 = centerY + outerR * Math.sin(endRadians);
-
-  const ix1 = centerX + innerR * Math.cos(startRadians);
-  const iy1 = centerY + innerR * Math.sin(startRadians);
-  const ix2 = centerX + innerR * Math.cos(endRadians);
-  const iy2 = centerY + innerR * Math.sin(endRadians);
-
-  // calculate the cap width in case we're drawing rounded bars
-  const capR = barWidth / 2;
-
-  const pathParts = [
-    // start at outer start
-    'M',
-    ox1,
-    oy1,
-    // outer arc from start to end (clockwise)
-    'A',
-    outerR,
-    outerR,
-    0,
-    largeArc,
-    1,
-    ox2,
-    oy2,
-  ];
-
-  if (roundedBars) {
-    // rounded end cap: small arc connecting outer end to inner end
-    pathParts.push('A', capR, capR, 0, 0, 1, ix2, iy2);
-  } else {
-    // straight line to inner end (square butt)
-    pathParts.push('L', ix2, iy2);
-  }
-
-  // inner arc from end back to start (counter-clockwise)
-  pathParts.push('A', innerR, innerR, 0, largeArc, 0, ix1, iy1);
-
-  if (roundedBars) {
-    // rounded start cap: small arc connecting inner start back to outer start
-    pathParts.push('A', capR, capR, 0, 0, 1, ox1, oy1);
-  } else {
-    // straight line back to outer start (square butt)
-    pathParts.push('L', ox1, oy1);
-  }
-
-  pathParts.push('Z');
-
-  return pathParts.join(' ');
+  return ['M', x1, y1, 'A', radius, radius, 0, largeArc, 1, x2, y2].join(' ');
 }
 
 export function getAngleBetweenSegments(segmentSpacing: number, segmentCount: number, range: number) {