diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/patches.py b/lib/matplotlib/patches.py
index 0b802260a541..e97ade28e2d6 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/patches.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/patches.py
@@ -1179,7 +1179,7 @@ def __init__(self, x, y, dx, dy, width=0.001, length_includes_head=False,
 
         """
         if head_width is None:
-            head_width = 20 * width
+            head_width = 3 * width
         if head_length is None:
             head_length = 1.5 * head_width