How to Measure for Curtains

Length, Width, and Mount Types to Hang Curtains Perfectly Every Time

Measuring the width of a window for curtain size

The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

Project Overview
  • Working Time: 15 - 20 mins
  • Skill Level: Beginner

Learning how to measure for curtains properly can enhance your home's interior with professional-looking window treatments. Curtains can filter or entirely block light, add privacy to a room, dampen echo, and, if properly mounted, make your interior look bigger than it is.

The key to properly mounting curtains is understanding how to measure your windows beforehand and then buying new curtains and curtain rods. Follow the steps below to accurately measure your windows and buy suitable curtains every time.

Common Curtain Measurements

If you have standard-sized windows, then you can use common-sized curtains. Common curtains lengths are 63 inches, 84 inches, 96 inches, 108 inches, and 120 inches long. Shorter lengths are used for cafe curtains and above-the-sink kitchen curtains. The standard curtain panel width in the U.S. is 48 inches wide. 

If you have custom windows, you might need custom-made curtains, or you can get creative with standard window sizes. Remember, for curtains to hang with some slack when closed, they need to be wider than the windows when fully extended.

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Measuring tape
  • Pencil
  • Level
  • Step ladder

Materials

  • Curtain panels
  • Rod and rod hardware

Instructions

Materials needed for measuring a window for curtains

The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

How to Measure for Curtains

Purchasing the correct curtain rod is crucial to hanging your curtains correctly. Of course the curtain rod must be at least as wide as the window itself, but it may be harder to gauge just how wide the curtain rod should be.

One of the other big tricks for hanging curtains is determining the right length. This is because it's hard to know how high to hang the curtains and how they should meet the floor. While, in the end, this ultimately comes down to preference, there are a few designer rules for curtain length.

  1. Determine Rod Width

    • Measure the window from side to side, including trim if present. When you draw the curtains to the side, if you haven't accounted for the space the bunched curtains will take up when choosing your curtain rod length, they'll block the window's light.
    • Add 16 to 24 inches to your measurement, then choose a rod that extends to your determined width. This will make the window seem larger by revealing as much light as possible when the curtains are opened.
    Measuring the outer width of the window

    The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

    Adding extra inches to accommodate the curtains

    The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

    Tip

    Thicker curtains may require more space on the sides, as they don't bunch as tightly as thinner curtains. Also, remember that larger windows requiring more than two panels will need more space for the additional panels to bunch.

  2. Measure Curtain Width

    • Measure the width of the window, including any trim present.
    • Factor in the amount of space you chose to extend the rod past the window—then add that to the overall width of the curtains.
    • Determine what you want the curtains to look like when fully closed. Opt for wider curtain panels if you want them to still look bunched and textural. If you want them to look sleek and straight, buy curtains matching your determined width.
    Measuring the window width

    The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

    Factoring in rod spacing

    The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

    Factoring in how the curtains should look when fully closed

    The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

    Tip

    If you're mounting curtains on a wide window or a set of glass doors, consider opting for more than two curtain panels. This will increase the number of curtain options available to you.

  3. Determine Rod Height

    The biggest no-no in hanging curtains is placing the rod too close to the top of the window. This makes the room look small and squatty by making the ceilings appear shorter. On the other hand, increasing the distance between the curtain rod and the window can make the room appear larger (within reason).

    If you have standard 8-foot ceilings, take the curtain rod all the way to the ceiling. If your ceilings have crown molding, mount the rod just below the crown mold.

    If you have high ceilings, choose a spot 12 to 14 inches above the top of the window to mount your curtain rod.

    Using a tape measure to determine curtain height

    The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

  4. Determine Desired Length

    Once you've determined where to mount your curtain rod, you can choose how long the curtains need to be. This will be determined by how you prefer the curtains to meet the floor. These are common choices:

    • Kiss: The kiss look is when the bottom of the curtain barely touches or "kisses" the floor. To achieve this look, use the exact distance between the rod and the floor for your measurement.
    • Float: The float look is when the bottom of the curtain floats just above the floor. To achieve this look, subtract 3/8 to 1/2 inches from your height measurement.
    • Puddle: The puddle look is when curtains are intentionally left longer to puddle on the ground, which is considered a more formal look. A standard puddle is achieved by adding at least 6 to 16 inches of fabric to the overall length, but there are varying degrees of puddling, so choose what you like best.
    • Break Puddle: The break puddle look is one of the most common puddle looks. A break puddle is achieved by adding 1/2 to 1 inch of fabric so the curtains touch and break at the floor. This is a great middle-ground for those who like the appearance of the puddle look but the functionality of the float and kiss looks.
    Determining curtain length
    Kiss curtain length

    The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

    Float curtain length
    Float curtain length

    The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

    Puddle curtain length
    Puddle curtain length

    The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

    Break puddle curtain length
    Break puddle curtain length

    The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

    Warning

    While beautiful, puddle curtains can be a tripping hazard for children and elderly individuals.

  5. Measure Curtain Length

    Generally, you need to measure from the top of the rod to your desired length. But that depends on the header, which comes in many styles that can affect the overall length of the curtain and how it hangs or meets the floor. Factor the header into your curtain measurements. Common headers include:

    • Grommets: Measure the length from the top of the grommet to the desired length above the floor.
    • Tabs: Measure the length from the top of the tab to the desired length above the floor.
    • Rod pocket: With pockets, you don't need to account for any additional length.
    • Pleat curtains: Measure from the underside of the ring hanging from the rod down to your desired length.

How to Guarantee Accurate Curtain Measurements

While these measuring tips are a great start, every type of curtain will hang differently on different rods. Even if you've measured perfectly, curtains can lose a couple of inches once mounted on a rod, causing them to float rather than kiss the floor.

If you've already mounted your curtain rod, this will require you to reposition the rod. If possible, get a helper. With the curtain mounted on the rod, ask the helper to hold it against the wall to determine where it should be mounted.

FAQ
  • How wide should curtains be for a window?

    The rule of thumb for curtain widths dictates it should be at least two times the width of your window to appear full.

  • Should curtain width be per panel or per pair?

    The width measurement is the width of each curtain or panel, even if it's part of a pair.

  • Is it better for curtains to be too long or too short?

    Generally, it's better for curtains to be too long than too short. More length can visually add height to the room. However, in some cases, short can work as long as the bottom of the curtain tracks with another horizontal line in the room, like the bottom of a window sill or the top line of the baseboard.