Measure for curtains in 4 steps and avoid the costly mistakes

Measuring for curtains means finding three numbers: the width of your pole or track, the drop from hanging point to where you want the hem to fall, and the fullness you need based on fabric type. Get any of them wrong and you'll end up with curtains that gap at the sides, puddle on the floor or hang limply. Fleur and Grey walks you through each measurement so your made-to-measure order goes in right first time.

Start from the pole or track, not the window frame

Your curtains hang from the pole or track, so that's where you measure from. Stand on a stepladder if you need to and hold the tape measure at the point where the curtain ring sits on a pole, or where the glider sits in a track. Measure across to the same point on the opposite end.

For poles with decorative finials, stop at the last ring before the finial—curtains don't travel past that point. Write this number down as your pole or track width. If you haven't fitted your pole yet, measure the width you plan to cover: most people fit them 15–20cm wider than the window frame on each side so the curtains can be pulled right back to let in maximum light.

Measure curtain drop from hanging point to hemline

The drop is the length from where the curtain hangs to where you want it to end. For pole-hung curtains with rings, measure from the bottom of the ring. For track-hung curtains, measure from the base of the glider or hook.

Decide where your hem will fall before you measure. Curtains that skim the floor should stop 1–2cm above it. Curtains that rest on the floor (a fuller, more traditional look) should have 2–5cm of extra length to form a slight break. Measure to that point and write it as your drop.

If your floor isn't level or your pole isn't quite straight, measure the drop at three points—left, centre and right—and use the longest measurement. Bay windows need this treatment: measure each angled section separately.

Work out how much width you need for proper fullness

Curtains should be wider than the pole or track so they gather into folds when closed. How much wider depends on the fabric and the heading type. Lightweight fabrics like voile need more width to look full; heavier fabrics like velvet need less.

As a baseline, multiply your pole width by 1.5 for a pencil-pleat heading in medium-weight cotton or linen. Multiply by 2 for sheers or if you want a luxurious gathered look. Multiply by 1.25 for interlined curtains or very heavy fabrics. Eyelet headings usually sit at 1.5 to 2 times the width.

Divide the total width by the number of curtain panels you're ordering. Most people order two panels (one for each side), but very wide windows may need four.

Check your measurements and watch for these mistakes

Measuring for made-to-measure curtains only works if you double-check before you order. Here's what trips people up:

• Measuring the window frame instead of the pole, which gives you curtains that don't reach the edges
• Forgetting that rings and gliders add distance between the pole and the fabric, shortening the visible drop
• Assuming the floor is level when it slopes, leaving one side puddling and the other floating
• Ordering curtains in a single panel when the window is too wide for the fabric to pull back neatly
• Not accounting for pattern repeats on printed fabrics, which can add length to each drop

Measure twice with a steel tape measure, not a fabric one. Fabric tapes stretch.

Follow this order when you take the measurements

Taking your curtain measurements in the right order keeps you from having to climb up and down the ladder three times. Work through these steps with a notepad, a steel tape measure and someone to hold the other end if the window is wide.

1. Fit your pole or track if it's not already up, checking it's level with a spirit level.
2. Measure the width from the first functional ring or glider to the last, writing it down immediately.
3. Measure the drop from the base of the ring or glider to your chosen hemline at three points across the width, then use the longest measurement.
4. Multiply the width by your chosen fullness ratio, divide by the number of panels, and write down the width per panel alongside the drop.

Know when to add extra length or width

Some windows and some curtain styles need adjustments to the basic measurements. Pattern-matched curtains require extra length so the maker can align the repeats across panels—check the repeat size and add one full repeat to your drop measurement.

Thermal or interlined curtains shrink slightly after the interlining settles, so add 2–3cm to the drop. Curtains hung inside a window recess should stop just clear of the sill; curtains on a pole outside the recess should cover the frame and extend below the sill by at least 10cm so no daylight leaks in at the sides or bottom.

If you're measuring for curtains on a door, add 5cm to the drop so the hem clears the floor when the door opens and the curtain swings.

Compare your hanging options before you commit

The way your curtains hang affects how you measure and what the finished result looks like. Each system has a measurement quirk.

What to do if your measurements fall between standard sizes

Made-to-measure services cut curtains to your exact dimensions, but if you're adapting ready-made curtains or ordering from a supplier with fixed increments, you'll need to round your numbers. Always round up, never down.

Curtains that are slightly too long can be hemmed or left to puddle if that suits the room. Curtains that are too short look wrong and can't be fixed. The same applies to width: too much fabric gathers into deeper folds, but too little leaves gaps when the curtains are closed.

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Download PDF: Curtain measuring checklist: print and take to the window PDF, 30 KB