Techniques for selective CD shrink for source and drain contact trench to optimize FET device performance are provided. In one aspect, a semiconductor FET device includes: at least one gate; source and drains on opposite sides of the at least one gate; recesses in the source and drains; and metal contacts disposed over the source and drains and in the recesses, wherein the metal contacts are in direct contact with a bottom and sidewalls of each of the recesses in both a first direction and a second direction, wherein the first direction is perpendicular to the at least one gate, and wherein the second direction is parallel to the at least one gate. A method of forming a semiconductor FET device is also provided.