diff --git a/top/top.c b/top/top.c
index 9d0e56a..1df0588 100644
--- a/top/top.c
+++ b/top/top.c
@@ -1552,15 +1552,40 @@ static const char *scale_mem (int target, unsigned long num, int width, int just
    if (Rc.zero_suppress && 0 >= num)
       goto end_justifies;
 
+   i = SK_Kb;
+   psfx = Scaled_sfxtab;
    scaled_num = num;
-   for (i = SK_Kb, psfx = Scaled_sfxtab; i < SK_Eb; psfx++, i++) {
-      if (i >= target
-      && (width >= snprintf(buf, sizeof(buf), fmttab[i], scaled_num, *psfx)))
-         goto end_justifies;
+
+   // apply the minimum scaling
+   while (i < target) {
+      psfx++;
+      i++;
       scaled_num /= 1024.0;
    }
 
-   // well shoot, this outta' fit...
+   // get it to fit in the buffer
+   while (i <= SK_Eb) {
+      // first try lopping off digits
+      static char fmt[SMLBUFSIZ];
+      int precision = (i == 0 ? 0 : 3);
+
+      do {
+         snprintf(fmt, sizeof(fmt), "%%.%uf%%c", precision);
+         if (snprintf(buf, sizeof(buf), fmt, scaled_num, (i > 0 ? *psfx : '\0')) <= width) {
+            goto end_justifies; // it fits!
+         }
+         // drop a digit off the end and try again
+         precision--;
+      } while (precision > 0);
+
+      // dropped all digits after decimal, still too big
+      // scale it and try again.
+      psfx++;
+      i++;
+      scaled_num /= 1024.0;
+   }
+
+   // everything failed
    snprintf(buf, sizeof(buf), "?");
 end_justifies:
    return justify_pad(buf, width, justr);