diff --git a/src/lib/menu/menu.scss b/src/lib/menu/menu.scss
index 4c468a1a9fa..abe8659c654 100644
--- a/src/lib/menu/menu.scss
+++ b/src/lib/menu/menu.scss
@@ -11,9 +11,7 @@ $mat-menu-vertical-padding: 8px !default;
 .mat-menu-panel {
   @include mat-menu-base();
   @include mat-menu-positions();
-
-  // max height must be 100% of the viewport height + one row height
-  max-height: calc(100vh + 48px);
+  max-height: calc(100vh - #{$mat-menu-item-height});
 
   @include cdk-high-contrast {
     outline: solid 1px;