diff --git a/doc/toxic.conf.5 b/doc/toxic.conf.5
index 565d139..b805ecc 100644
--- a/doc/toxic.conf.5
+++ b/doc/toxic.conf.5
@@ -133,6 +133,11 @@ How often in seconds to auto\-save the Tox data file\&. (integer; 0 to disable)
 Maximum lines for chat window history\&. Integer value\&. (for example: 700)
 .RE
 .PP
+\fBnotification_timeout\fR
+.RS 4
+Time in milliseconds to display a notification\&. (for example: 3000)
+.RE
+.PP
 \fBline_join\fR
 .RS 4
 Indicator for when someone connects or joins a group\&. Three characters max for line_ settings\&.
diff --git a/doc/toxic.conf.5.asc b/doc/toxic.conf.5.asc
index 47fc6c5..bb96173 100644
--- a/doc/toxic.conf.5.asc
+++ b/doc/toxic.conf.5.asc
@@ -84,6 +84,9 @@ OPTIONS
     *history_size*;;
         Maximum lines for chat window history. Integer value. (for example: 700)
 
+    *notification_timeout*;;
+        Time in milliseconds to display a notification. Integer value. (for example: 3000)
+
     *line_join*;;
         Indicator for when someone connects or joins a group.
         Three characters max for line_ settings.
diff --git a/misc/toxic.conf.example b/misc/toxic.conf.example
index b45ee3a..ae9183f 100644
--- a/misc/toxic.conf.example
+++ b/misc/toxic.conf.example
@@ -53,6 +53,9 @@ ui = {
   // maximum lines for chat window history
   history_size=700;
 
+  // time in milliseconds to display a notification
+  notification_timeout=3000;
+
   // Indicator for display when someone connects or joins a group.
   line_join="-->";
 
diff --git a/src/settings.c b/src/settings.c
index 494a8b7..6490112 100644
--- a/src/settings.c
+++ b/src/settings.c
@@ -58,6 +58,7 @@ static struct ui_strings {
     const char *native_colors;
     const char *autolog;
     const char *history_size;
+    const char *notification_timeout;
     const char *show_typing_self;
     const char *show_typing_other;
     const char *show_welcome_msg;
@@ -86,6 +87,7 @@ static struct ui_strings {
     "native_colors",
     "autolog",
     "history_size",
+    "notification_timeout",
     "show_typing_self",
     "show_typing_other",
     "show_welcome_msg",
@@ -114,6 +116,7 @@ static void ui_defaults(struct user_settings *settings)
     settings->bell_on_invite = 0;
     settings->colour_theme = DFLT_COLS;
     settings->history_size = 700;
+    settings->notification_timeout = 3000;
     settings->show_typing_self = SHOW_TYPING_ON;
     settings->show_typing_other = SHOW_TYPING_ON;
     settings->show_welcome_msg = SHOW_WELCOME_MSG_ON;
@@ -372,6 +375,7 @@ int settings_load(struct user_settings *s, const char *patharg)
         config_setting_lookup_bool(setting, ui_strings.show_connection_msg, &s->show_connection_msg);
 
         config_setting_lookup_int(setting, ui_strings.history_size, &s->history_size);
+        config_setting_lookup_int(setting, ui_strings.notification_timeout, &s->notification_timeout);
         config_setting_lookup_int(setting, ui_strings.nodeslist_update_freq, &s->nodeslist_update_freq);
         config_setting_lookup_int(setting, ui_strings.autosave_freq, &s->autosave_freq);
 
diff --git a/src/settings.h b/src/settings.h
index 364bb05..b3831b6 100644
--- a/src/settings.h
+++ b/src/settings.h
@@ -49,6 +49,7 @@ struct user_settings {
 
     int colour_theme;      /* boolean (0 for default toxic colours) */
     int history_size;      /* int between MIN_HISTORY and MAX_HISTORY */
+    int notification_timeout;
     int show_typing_self;  /* boolean */
     int show_typing_other; /* boolean */
     int show_welcome_msg;  /* boolean */
diff --git a/src/toxic.c b/src/toxic.c
index e68d94b..67fc2c3 100644
--- a/src/toxic.c
+++ b/src/toxic.c
@@ -1332,7 +1332,7 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv)
 
 #endif /* PYTHON */
 
-    init_notify(60, 3000);
+    init_notify(60, user_settings->notification_timeout);
 
     /* screen/tmux auto-away timer */
     if (init_mplex_away_timer(m) == -1) {