How to measure for curtains: a simple guide to curtain measurements

May 30, 2023

Curtains are often a focal point of a room but do you know how to measure curtains correctly? Window dressings bring style, character and warmth to a home, as well as offering privacy and the ability to regulate sunlight, but when you’re choosing curtains, there's more to consider than just the width and length.

If you want curtains to make a statement, then consider a full length pair that reach the ground, or even an extra long length which then puddles on the floor, creating a luxuriously sumptuous look. The type of curtain is important too: thermal curtains retain heat in the winter, while sheer or light-coloured curtains are ideal during summer to increase light penetration.

You should also consider the type of window you're dressing. 'Wide paned or large sash windows are a beautiful way of framing your surrounding views and long and thick double-panel curtains are ideal for this design of a window,' says Sean Mac Anbhaird, managing director at Core Sash Windows. 'They transform a room from feeling like an empty echo chamber to feeling warm and welcoming.

'Aluminium floor-to-ceiling windows are a modern classic – they lighten up the room and frame gardens or views – and are found in most UK homes. Because this window design is often situated within a modern setting, eyelet curtains are ideal.'

Curtains come in several types of headings, with different ways of hanging them.

Eyelet headings have large metal rings sewn into the heading and, like tab top headings, they’re threaded straight onto a curtain pole. This allows the curtains to hang in long, uniform folds.

Pencil pleats look like pencils in a row, while pinch pleats gather the fabric in bunches and look more informal. Wave headings have a more fluid, curving finish. All three of these can hang from either a track (or rail) or a pole.

Once you’ve decided on the heading you want, fit your curtain track or pole. Whichever you choose, it needs to be hung before you measure up for curtains.

The track or pole should be hung about 15cm or 6 inches above the window, and be 15-20 cm / 6-8 inches wider on each side. If you want to create a sense of height in the room, hang the track or pole a few inches higher than this.

Most ready-made curtains come in these widths: 117cm (46”), 168cm (66”) or 228cm (90”). To work out which one you need, measure the length of the rail or pole (between the finials), not the window. This measurement is the width of each curtain and means they’ll have a lovely, full gather even when closed.

'Curtain fullness is what creates the sumptuous finish that’s so desirable right now,' says Emily Booth from Hillarys. 'Different header types require different levels of fullness. Likewise, a thin sheer fabric may require more fabric – a greater fullness – than a thicker material to achieve a similar look.'

If your curtain rail has an overlap, add the length of the overlap to the measurement of the width of the rail.

Ready-made curtains tend to be sold in 137cm (54”), 182cm (72”), and 228cm (90”) drops, while some ranges go up to 274cm. Measure the drop from your curtain pole or track.

If you’re buying curtains with eyelets or tab tops, measure from the top of the pole to allow for the fabric heading above the pole. For pencil or pinch pleat or wave headings, measure from either the top of the track or bottom of the rings on a pole, depending on the look you want to achieve.

Sill length curtains should end 1cm above the sill; below sill curtains should reach around 15cm below the sill, and floor length curtains should reach 1cm above the floor. If your window has a radiator below it, the curtains should finish 2-3cm above the radiator so that the heat isn’t blocked by the fabric.

If you’re in any doubt or if you would prefer to have your curtains made to fit your window exactly, book an appointment for a professional fitting. With made to measure curtains, accurate measurements are even more important. Retailers such as Hillarys and John Lewis offer this service.

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