diff --git a/packages/notebook-extension/style/base.css b/packages/notebook-extension/style/base.css
index 4407cbb6c..d4640e682 100644
--- a/packages/notebook-extension/style/base.css
+++ b/packages/notebook-extension/style/base.css
@@ -187,4 +187,6 @@ body[data-notebook='notebooks'] .jp-WindowedPanel-inner {
 
 body[data-notebook='notebooks'] .jp-Notebook-cell {
   background: var(--jp-layout-color0);
+  padding-left: calc(2 * var(--jp-cell-padding));
+  padding-right: calc(2 * var(--jp-cell-padding));
 }