diff --git a/crates/engine/src/cmd/expand.rs b/crates/engine/src/cmd/expand.rs
index bcf883b2f3..3eab236e36 100644
--- a/crates/engine/src/cmd/expand.rs
+++ b/crates/engine/src/cmd/expand.rs
@@ -194,10 +194,12 @@ impl Expandable {
                 NodeKind::Text(t) => t.runs.iter().any(|r| r.style.has_stroke()),
                 _ => shape && !c.appearance.stroke_paint().is_none(),
             };
-            e.gradient |= match &c.kind {
-                NodeKind::Text(t) => t.runs.iter().any(|r| matches!(r.style.fill, Paint::Gradient(_))),
-                _ => shape && c.appearance.items.iter().any(|i| gradient_fill(i).is_some()),
-            };
+            // Once one is found, the next path is not measured.
+            e.gradient = e.gradient
+                || match &c.kind {
+                    NodeKind::Text(t) => t.runs.iter().any(|r| matches!(r.style.fill, Paint::Gradient(_))),
+                    _ => shape && gradient_expands(d, c),
+                };
             e.fill |= e.gradient;
             e.fill |= match &c.kind {
                 NodeKind::Text(t) => t.runs.iter().any(|r| matches!(&r.style.fill, Paint::Pattern { pattern, .. } if d.pattern(pattern).is_some())),
@@ -222,6 +224,43 @@ fn gradient_fill(i: &AppearanceItem) -> Option<(&FillLayer, &GradientPaint)> {
     }
 }
 
+/// Whether path `l` has a gradient fill that Fill expands ([`expand_fills`]): one that repeats or
+/// reflects stays a gradient when its box needs more runs than are written ([`padded_on`]). For a
+/// path that live-effect plug-ins paint, whether a piece of the art they paint has one
+/// ([`expand_pieces`]).
+fn gradient_expands(d: &Document, l: &Node) -> bool {
+    if !l.appearance.items.iter().any(|i| gradient_fill(i).is_some()) {
+        return false;
+    }
+    if !vectorcraft_render::effects::has_painted_effects(l) {
+        return piece_gradient_expands(d, l);
+    }
+    let Some(art) = vectorcraft_render::effects::reshape(Some(d), l, None) else { return false };
+    let mut any = false;
+    art.walk(&mut |c| {
+        any = any
+            || (matches!(c.kind, NodeKind::Path { .. } | NodeKind::Compound { .. })
+                && !c.is_ruler_guide()
+                && c.appearance.items.iter().any(|i| gradient_fill(i).is_some())
+                && piece_gradient_expands(d, c));
+    });
+    any
+}
+
+/// [`gradient_expands`] for a path that no live-effect plug-in paints ([`expand_piece_fills`]).
+fn piece_gradient_expands(d: &Document, l: &Node) -> bool {
+    if !l.appearance.items.iter().filter_map(gradient_fill).any(|(_, g)| g.gradient.is_spread()) {
+        return l.appearance.items.iter().any(|i| gradient_fill(i).is_some());
+    }
+    let reshaped = reshaped(d, l);
+    let l = reshaped.as_ref().unwrap_or(l);
+    let Some((path, _)) = node_path(l) else { return false };
+    let Some(bounds) = path.bounds() else { return false };
+    l.appearance.items.iter().filter(|i| gradient_fill(i).is_some()).any(|item| {
+        fill_shape(d, l, item, &path, bounds).is_some_and(|(_, _, b, moved)| gradient_fill(&moved).is_some_and(|(_, g)| padded_on(g, b).is_some()))
+    })
+}
+
 /// The definition and placement of a visible pattern fill whose pattern `d` defines.
 fn pattern_fill<'a, 'd>(d: &'d Document, i: &'a AppearanceItem) -> Option<(&'a FillLayer, &'d PatternDef, Affine)> {
     match i {
diff --git a/crates/engine/src/tests/objexpand.rs b/crates/engine/src/tests/objexpand.rs
index 65d638e641..06c5edcac5 100644
--- a/crates/engine/src/tests/objexpand.rs
+++ b/crates/engine/src/tests/objexpand.rs
@@ -510,14 +510,30 @@ fn a_spread_gradient_expands_into_whole_bands_for_each_run() {
 
 /// A gradient that repeats across a box in more runs than are written (700 runs of 0.2 pt) is not
 /// expanded into its first runs and a flat last color: the fill stays a gradient, and the rest of
-/// the object (its stroke) still expands.
+/// the object (its stroke) still expands. `object.expand.info` reports no gradient or fill to
+/// expand, and Expand with only Fill on reports nothing to expand; the same gradient in 70 runs
+/// (10 repeats) reports both.
 #[test]
 fn a_spread_gradient_with_more_runs_than_written_stays_a_gradient() {
+    let gradient = |repeats: u32| {
+        json!({"kind": "linear", "spread": "repeat", "repeats": repeats, "start": [30, 100], "end": [50, 100],
+            "stops": [{"offset": 0, "color": "#ffff00"}, {"offset": 1, "color": "#004080"}]})
+    };
+    for (repeats, expands) in [(10, true), (100, false)] {
+        let mut s = session();
+        gradient_rect(&mut s, Rect::new(30.0, 40.0, 170.0, 160.0), gradient(repeats), true);
+        let info = s.execute("object.expand.info", &json!({})).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(
+            (info["gradient"].clone(), info["fill"].clone(), info["stroke"].clone()),
+            (json!(expands), json!(expands), json!(true)),
+            "{repeats}"
+        );
+        let only_fill = s.execute("object.expand", &json!({"object": false, "stroke": false}));
+        assert_eq!(only_fill.is_ok(), expands, "{repeats}: {only_fill:?}");
+    }
     for to in [json!({"steps": 240}), json!({"gradient": "mesh"})] {
         let mut s = session();
-        let gr = json!({"kind": "linear", "spread": "repeat", "repeats": 100, "start": [30, 100], "end": [50, 100],
-            "stops": [{"offset": 0, "color": "#ffff00"}, {"offset": 1, "color": "#004080"}]});
-        gradient_rect(&mut s, Rect::new(30.0, 40.0, 170.0, 160.0), gr, true);
+        gradient_rect(&mut s, Rect::new(30.0, 40.0, 170.0, 160.0), gradient(100), true);
         let before = render(&s);
         run(&mut s, "object.expand", to.clone());
         let after = render(&s);
diff --git a/crates/engine/src/tests/plugins.rs b/crates/engine/src/tests/plugins.rs
index 8d1570e996..77c8bf56a2 100644
--- a/crates/engine/src/tests/plugins.rs
+++ b/crates/engine/src/tests/plugins.rs
@@ -668,6 +668,27 @@ fn expanding_a_gradient_fill_keeps_each_piece_s_own_paint() {
     }
 }
 
+/// `object.expand.info` measures each piece a painted effect returns: a piece whose repeating
+/// gradient needs more runs across it than are written (1,000) reports no gradient to expand, as
+/// Expand leaves it a gradient, and the same gradient in 10 runs reports one.
+#[test]
+fn expand_info_measures_the_gradient_on_each_painted_piece() {
+    for (end, expands) in [(120.0, true), (100.2, false)] {
+        let mut s = session();
+        let id = rect(&mut s, 10.0, "#ff0000");
+        let gradient = json!({"kind": "linear", "spread": "repeat", "repeats": 10, "start": [100, 50], "end": [end, 50]});
+        run(&mut s, "paint.setFill", json!({"ids": [id.0], "gradient": gradient}));
+        let out = json!({"objects": [{"path": square_at(100.0)}]}).to_string();
+        install_wat(&mut s, &tpl::returning(&painting("test.engine.expandruns", true), &out));
+        run(&mut s, "effect.apply", json!({"ids": [id.0], "effect": "plugin.test.engine.expandruns"}));
+        run(&mut s, "select.set", json!({"ids": [id.0]}));
+        let info = s.execute("object.expand.info", &json!({})).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!((info["gradient"].clone(), info["fill"].clone()), (json!(expands), json!(expands)), "{end}");
+        let only_fill = s.execute("object.expand", &json!({"object": false, "fill": true, "stroke": false}));
+        assert_eq!(only_fill.is_ok(), expands, "{end}: {only_fill:?}");
+    }
+}
+
 /// Object › Expand of a pattern fill works piece by piece: a piece that keeps the pattern has its
 /// tiles expanded, and a piece with a paint of its own keeps that paint.
 #[test]
diff --git a/crates/svg/src/css.rs b/crates/svg/src/css.rs
index da2049fe8d..f7e067aa30 100644
--- a/crates/svg/src/css.rs
+++ b/crates/svg/src/css.rs
@@ -206,6 +206,14 @@ pub(crate) fn type_props(st: &CharStyle, len: &dyn Fn(f64) -> String) -> Props {
     p
 }
 
+/// The decimals, at least `least` and at most 12, for numbers that place a period of length
+/// `period` repeated out to `reach` (in the same units): each period then rounds by at most
+/// 10^-decimals, and over the `reach / period` periods that adds up to at most a hundredth of one.
+fn period_decimals(period: f64, reach: f64, least: u8) -> u8 {
+    let d = (100.0 * reach / (period * period)).log10().ceil();
+    if d.is_nan() || d == f64::INFINITY { 12 } else { d.clamp(f64::from(least), 12.0) as u8 }
+}
+
 /// A colour at `opacity`: `#rrggbb` when opaque, else `rgba()`.
 fn color_css(c: &Color, opacity: f32) -> String {
     if opacity >= 1.0 {
@@ -247,13 +255,22 @@ impl CssUnits {
 
     /// `points` in these units (`0` without a unit).
     fn len(self, points: f64) -> String {
-        let per_point = match self {
+        self.len_to(points, 3)
+    }
+
+    /// One point in these units.
+    fn per_point(self) -> f64 {
+        match self {
             CssUnits::Px | CssUnits::Pt => 1.0,
             CssUnits::Mm => 25.4 / 72.0,
             CssUnits::Cm => 2.54 / 72.0,
             CssUnits::In => 1.0 / 72.0,
-        };
-        match fmt_num(points * per_point, 3) {
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// [`Self::len`] with `decimals` decimals.
+    fn len_to(self, points: f64, decimals: u8) -> String {
+        match fmt_num(points * self.per_point(), decimals) {
             zero if zero == "0" => zero,
             v => format!("{v}{}", self.name()),
         }
@@ -583,9 +600,18 @@ impl Rules<'_> {
             _ => (unrolled, geom, ""),
         };
         // A repeating gradient's period is the span from its first stop to its last, repeated
-        // across the box: its positions get four decimals, so the period stays in place there.
-        let decimals = if repeating.is_empty() { 2 } else { 4 };
-        let stops = |pos: &dyn Fn(f32) -> f64| {
+        // across the box (from 0% to `reach`%): its positions get at least four decimals, and more
+        // when the box holds so many periods that their rounding would add up to more than a
+        // hundredth of one ([`period_decimals`]).
+        let span = gradient.expanded().next().zip(gradient.expanded().last()).map(|(a, z)| (a.0, z.0));
+        let decimals = |pos: &dyn Fn(f32) -> f64, reach: f64| match span {
+            Some((a, z)) if !repeating.is_empty() => {
+                let (p0, p1) = (pos(a) * 100.0, pos(z) * 100.0);
+                period_decimals((p1 - p0).abs(), p0.abs().max((reach - p0).abs()), 4)
+            }
+            _ => 2,
+        };
+        let stops = |pos: &dyn Fn(f32) -> f64, decimals: u8| {
             let stops: Vec<String> =
                 gradient.expanded().map(|(t, c, o, _)| format!("{} {}%", color_css(&c, o * opacity), fmt_num(pos(t) * 100.0, decimals))).collect();
             stops.join(", ")
@@ -604,7 +630,7 @@ impl Rules<'_> {
                 let line = (b.width() * dir.x).abs() + (b.height() * dir.y).abs();
                 let from = (geom.start - b.center()).dot(dir);
                 let pos = |t: f32| if line > 1e-9 { (from + t as f64 * length) / line + 0.5 } else { t as f64 };
-                Some(format!("{repeating}linear-gradient({}deg, {})", fmt_num(angle, 2), stops(&pos)))
+                Some(format!("{repeating}linear-gradient({}deg, {})", fmt_num(angle, 2), stops(&pos, decimals(&pos, 100.0))))
             }
             // CSS has no diamond gradient: the ellipse through the square's corners stands in.
             GradientKind::Radial | GradientKind::Diamond => {
@@ -614,13 +640,30 @@ impl Rules<'_> {
                 } else if geom.focal.is_some() {
                     self.warn("radial gradients start at their centre (an off-centre focal point is left out)");
                 }
+                // The positions are a share of the radius, and the box reaches out to its farthest
+                // corner. A repeating gradient's period scales with its radius, so the radius gets
+                // the decimals that keep the periods in place out to that corner too.
+                let units = self.opts.units;
+                let small = r * geom.aspect.abs().min(1.0);
+                let far = [(b.x0, b.y0), (b.x1, b.y0), (b.x0, b.y1), (b.x1, b.y1)]
+                    .into_iter()
+                    .map(|(x, y)| (Point::new(x, y) - geom.start).hypot())
+                    .fold(0.0, f64::max);
+                let reach = if small > 1e-12 { 100.0 * far / small } else { 0.0 };
+                let pos = |t: f32| t as f64;
+                let len = match span {
+                    Some((a, z)) if !repeating.is_empty() => {
+                        period_decimals(small * f64::from(z - a).abs() * units.per_point(), far * units.per_point(), 3)
+                    }
+                    _ => 3,
+                };
                 let shape = if (geom.aspect - 1.0).abs() < 1e-9 {
-                    format!("circle {}", self.len(r))
+                    format!("circle {}", units.len_to(r, len))
                 } else {
-                    format!("ellipse {} {}", self.len(r), self.len(r * geom.aspect))
+                    format!("ellipse {} {}", units.len_to(r, len), units.len_to(r * geom.aspect, len))
                 };
                 let at = format!("at {} {}", self.len(geom.start.x - b.x0), self.len(geom.start.y - b.y0));
-                Some(format!("{repeating}radial-gradient({shape} {at}, {})", stops(&|t| t as f64)))
+                Some(format!("{repeating}radial-gradient({shape} {at}, {})", stops(&pos, decimals(&pos, reach))))
             }
             GradientKind::Conic => {
                 // CSS sweeps clockwise from the `from` angle, 0deg straight up
diff --git a/crates/svg/tests/it/css_rules.rs b/crates/svg/tests/it/css_rules.rs
index 8abd6eb48b..8bf50d4add 100644
--- a/crates/svg/tests/it/css_rules.rs
+++ b/crates/svg/tests/it/css_rules.rs
@@ -366,6 +366,21 @@ fn spread_gradients_give_repeating_css_gradients() {
         css(GradientKind::Linear, GradientSpread::Repeat, short).as_deref(),
         Some("repeating-linear-gradient(90deg, #ffffff 0%, #000000 2.5863%)")
     );
+    // About 1,000 periods across the box: six decimals, so their rounding adds up to at most a
+    // hundredth of a period at the far side (with four, `0.1%` would be almost half a period out
+    // there).
+    let tiny = GradientGeom { end: Point::new(0.400196, 30.0), ..across };
+    assert_eq!(
+        css(GradientKind::Linear, GradientSpread::Repeat, tiny).as_deref(),
+        Some("repeating-linear-gradient(90deg, #ffffff 0%, #000000 0.100049%)")
+    );
+    // A radial period of 0.03085 px out to a corner 67 px away: its radius keeps the decimals that
+    // hold the periods in place there.
+    let dot = GradientGeom { start: Point::new(40.0, 30.0), end: Point::new(40.1234, 30.0), aspect: 1.0, focal: None };
+    assert_eq!(
+        css(GradientKind::Radial, GradientSpread::Repeat, dot).as_deref(),
+        Some("repeating-radial-gradient(circle 0.03085px at 40px 30px, #ffffff 0%, #000000 100%)")
+    );
     let ring = GradientGeom { start: Point::new(40.0, 30.0), end: Point::new(80.0, 30.0), aspect: 1.0, focal: None };
     assert_eq!(
         css(GradientKind::Radial, GradientSpread::Reflect, ring).as_deref(),
diff --git a/docs/mcp.md b/docs/mcp.md
index f9df09112d..a3910bec2f 100644
--- a/docs/mcp.md
+++ b/docs/mcp.md
@@ -1205,8 +1205,11 @@ legacy `.ai`), and for a radial or diamond gradient no farther from its center t
 times the smallest gap between its stops (measured in runs) when that is less. Past those it pads, with a warning.
 The `.ai` editing data has no spread either: it holds the stops repeated across the shape, at most 256 of them, with
 a warning. When the runs need more stops than these limits allow, every run is still written, without the stops that
-change its colors least (its ends, sharp steps and swatch-linked stops stay); the same applies to a gradient along
-or across a stroke, and to CSS's conic gradient, past 16,384 stops, and to Outline Stroke's mesh past 1,024. PDF
+change its colors least. Each run keeps its ends; sharp steps and swatch-linked stops are the last to be left out,
+but a run with more of them than its share of the limit loses some. The same applies to a gradient along or across a
+stroke, and to CSS's conic gradient, past 16,384 stops, and to Outline Stroke's mesh past 1,024. For CSS the 16,384
+counts the gradient's stops before they are written: CSS then adds a stop for each midpoint, and for a Perceptual
+gradient stops along each span's curve, so the written gradient can hold more. PDF
 import finds a sharp step between two colors in an axial or radial shading by halving the spans between its samples,
 so the step reads back where it is in the file (to 1/64 × 2^-14 of the axis) instead of blurred across the samples
 around it. A shading takes at most 16,384 samples, so the steps past the point where that budget runs out stay