Curtain Measuring Guide and Tips

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Summary

This curtain measuring guide explains how to measure and order custom curtains, drapes, valances, cornices, and scarf treatments. It covers rod placement, window coverage, and curtain fullness. It also works as a curtain fullness guide for sheer curtains and pleated styles.

Measuring Suggestions

Use these tips to choose the right size for custom curtains.

The final look depends on your taste and where you place the rod, not just on the window width. Some people mount rods on the casing. Others place them outside the casing or several inches past it. Some mount the rod close to the ceiling.

These are general guidelines only.

Stack-Back Calculations for Pinch Pleated Drapes

Window Opening	Stack-back	Rod Width
24	21	45
30	23	53
36	25	61
42	26	68
48	29	77
54	30	84
60	31	91
66	32	98
72	34	106
78	36	114
84	37	121
90	38	127
96	39	135

The numbers above use a standard two-way draw. If you want a one-way draw, deduct 7 from the stack-back and rod width figures.

Suggestions for Rod Placement

1. Where should you mount the rods?

Mounting closer to the ceiling can make the room look taller. Decide this before you measure curtain length. A good starting point is 4″ above the window or trim, up to the ceiling or below crown molding.

2. How wide should the rods be?

Mount the rod so that when curtains are open, only 2-3″ of fabric covers each side of the window. This makes the window look wider and lets in more light.

How to Measure for Rod Pocket Curtains

• Rod pocket panels can have different pocket and header sizes. The header is the part that ruffles above the rod pocket.
• Check the rod size before you order. A 3″ pocket fits decorative poles from 1 1/4″ to 1 1/2″, or a 2 1/2″ continental flat rod. A 1 1/2″ pocket fits poles up to 3/4″ wide or a standard white curtain rod.
• Curtain fullness depends on your style and how you plan to hang them. If you want to pull them back, double fullness is usually best.
• Rod pocket panels are measured from the top of the rod pocket. The header is not added to the length. If you order a 90″ panel with a 2″ header, the finished length is 92″.

How to Measure Curtains for a Flat Drapery Panel

• A flat drapery panel is like a rod pocket panel, but it has no pocket or header.
• It works well for a working curtain on a window with no more than one center support bracket.
• Hang it on decorative poles with clip rings.
• Measure from the clip on the ring to where you want the panel to stop.
• A standard window needs two panels.

How to Measure for Back Tab / Hidden Tab Curtain Panels

• Back tab and hidden tab curtains have tabs on the back of the panel.
• They fit decorative rods up to 1 3/4″ in diameter.
• Measure from the top of the curtain rod to the spot where you want the panel to end.
• If the pole is thick, add 1″ for take-up.
• Panels are measured from top to bottom.
• A standard window needs two panels.
• For wider windows, the width of both panels should be at least twice the rod width.

How to Measure Grommet Top Curtains

• Grommet top curtains use metal grommets that fit rods up to 1 3/8″ in diameter.
• They work well with most decorative rods, since the rod stays visible.
• Use them on windows that do not need more than one center support bracket.
• A grommet panel should have at least 1 1/2 times fullness.
• More fullness means more grommets and deeper folds.
• For a custom look, do not use more than two grommet panels on one window. Wider panels look cleaner.
• We can make grommet top panels in any width or length.
• A standard window needs two panels.

How to Measure Tab Top Curtains

• Tab top panels have 3″ tabs at the top.
• They fit decorative rods up to 1 1/4″ in diameter.
• Measure from the top of the tab to the bottom of the panel.
• A standard window needs two panels.

How to Measure Pinch Pleat Curtains

• Pleated draperies can be decorative or functional.
• The fullness is built into the pleats, so you do not need to add extra width.
• If the curtain is functional, first decide where the rod will go.
• We need the rod width from bracket to bracket and the depth of the rod returns.
• Pinch pleat curtains can hang on a traverse rod with drapery pins, on a decorative pole with eyelet rings and pins, or on a decorative rod with clip rings.
• Pinch pleat curtains can be made in any width or length you need.

How to Measure Sheer Curtains

• Sheer curtains often need double or even triple the window width.
• The right amount depends on privacy, light control, and how full you want the curtains to look.
• For pinch pleated sheers, measure the rod width and the depth of the rod returns.
• Fullness is built in, so no extra width is needed.

How to Measure Valances

View video for gathered and flat style valances

Gathered Valance

• Fullness depends on your style.
• Use about 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 times the rod width in fabric.
• For thicker fabric, stay near 1 1/2 to 2 times.
• For thinner fabric, use 2 1/2 to 3 times your window width.
• If you want more of the fabric pattern to show, use less fullness.
• Gathered valances come standard with either a 1 1/2″ or 3″ rod pocket. Some rod sleeves come with a 4 1/2″ pocket. We can often make changes if you need a different pocket size.

Flat Style Valances

Set Sized Flat Style Valances

• Measure the front of the rod and both returns.
• Add those numbers together.
• Order the closest valance size above that total.
• Example: a 48″ rod with 4″ returns on each side equals 56″.
• For set sizes, order the next largest size over 56″.

Made to Measure Flat Style Valances

• We also offer some flat valances in any width you need.
• Measure the same way: rod width plus both returns.
• Add 1/2″ to the total.
• A little extra width is better than coming up short.
• If you use a decorative pole, measure from bracket to bracket, since there are no rod returns.

How to Measure for Board Mounted Valances

Watch the video on how to measure board mounted valances.

• Measure the width you want to cover. This is usually the window width, including trim.
• Add 2″ to 4″ if wall space allows.
• If you are layering over blinds or drapes, make sure the valance extends past any rods.
• Choose the board projection, either 3 1/2″ or 5 1/2″.
• Most people use 3 1/2″ unless they have wide blinds or drapes under the valance.
• Board projection is the same as board depth.

How to Measure for Upholstered and Soft Cornices

• Measure the width you want to cover. This is usually the window width, including trim.
• Add at least 2″ to allow for the wooden side legs.
• If you are layering over blinds or drapes, add enough width to clear any rods as well.
• Choose the board projection, either 3 1/2″ or 5 1/2″.
• Most people use 3 1/2″ unless they have wide blinds or draperies under the cornice.
• Board projection is the same as board depth.

How to Measure for a Throw Scarf or Fishtail Swag

• Mount the hardware about 2″ to 3″ above and away from the window.
• Decide how far down the sides should hang, then multiply by 2.
• Add the window width.
• Add 6″ to 12″ for each space between the two holders.
• Or use a strong string. Run it along the same path as the scarf, then measure the string.

Q&A

Question: Should curtain measurements be based only on window width?

Short answer: No. A curtain measuring guide should also account for rod placement, curtain style, and whether the panels are decorative or functional. Rods can go on the casing, outside the casing, farther past the casing, or near the ceiling.

Question: How much fullness should I plan for when ordering curtains?

Short answer: Curtain fullness guide rules depend on style. Rod pocket panels often use double fullness when they will be pulled back. Grommet panels usually need at least 1 1/2 times fullness. Sheer curtains may need double or triple the window width for more privacy or a fuller look. Pleated curtains and pinch pleated sheers already have fullness built in.

Question: Why is rod placement important before ordering custom curtains?

Short answer: Rod placement changes both length and width. Mounting rods closer to the ceiling can make a room seem taller. Extending rods past the window casing can make the window look wider and can bring in more light when the curtains are open.

Question: What measurements are needed for pleated curtains used as functional draperies?

Short answer: Measure the rod width from bracket to bracket and the depth of the rod returns. That lets the pleats fit the rod area well. The fullness is already built into the pleats.

Question: How should I measure for valances or cornices that will cover blinds or drapes?

Short answer: Measure the full width you want to cover and add enough extra width to clear blinds, drapes, or rods below. Board mounted valances usually add 2″ to 4″ if wall space allows. Upholstered and soft cornices need at least 2″ added for the side legs, plus any extra width needed for layered treatments.