Sherwood Lined Curtains in ice blue colour

How to Measure Your Curtains: A Step-by-Step Guide

A new pair of curtains can instantly transform the look and feel of a room. But before you choose the colour, pattern or style, it’s important to work out which length and width you need.

Measuring curtains might seem a little confusing at first, but don’t worry - we’re here to help! In this simple guide, we’ll cover all you need to know, so you can confidently order the right drapes for your space.

What You’ll Need to Measure Your Curtains

Before you get stuck in, prep your toolkit first so you have everything you need close to hand.

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Tape measure: Metal ones are more accurate, but you can use a cloth tape from a sewing kit if needs be.
Step ladder: This is the safest thing to stand on while you’re measuring. If you don’t have one, a stool or chair with four legs (and someone to help) is the next best option.
Pen and paper: To jot down your curtain measurements as you go.

Things to Think About Before You Start Measuring Your Curtains

From poles to puddles and pencil pleats, there are a few important things to consider before you get up on that step ladder.

Is There a Pole Already Installed?

If you already have a pole attached to the wall (and plan to keep it), this makes measuring for curtains easier. But if you don’t have a pole or track installed, you’ll need to keep this in mind.

As a rule of thumb, curtain poles should extend 15-20cm above the top of the window, and 15-20cm on either side. Say your window is 100cm wide, you’ll need a pole that’s 130-140cm long.

When it comes to measuring for your curtains, just add the extra width and drop (length) as needed.

How Do You Want Your Curtains to Hang?

Yep, curtains can hang in different ways - four different ways, in fact. Really, which way you pick is about your personal preference.
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Window sill-length curtains: This is where the curtain reaches the top of the windowsill. This style is usually best for kitchens and regular bedroom windows. The curtain reaches about 1.25cm above the windowsill.
Apron curtains: This is a good option if you have a radiator directly below the window. The fabric runs behind the radiator to keep more heat inside the space. The curtain reaches about 15cm below the windowsill.
Floor-length curtains: The curtain comes all the way down and sits just above the ground. This is a good option for floor-to-ceiling windows in living rooms and bedrooms. The curtain reaches 1.5cm above the floor.
Puddle curtains: This is similar to floor-length curtains, but the fabric is cut longer to ‘puddle’ on the floor. It can make bedrooms feel cosier and living rooms feel more luxurious. You’ll need to add 5-10cm beyond the floor length, depending on how much puddling you want.

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Measurement Differences For Eyelet, Slot Top and Pencil Pleat Curtains

Depending on the style of curtain you choose (eyelet, pencil pleat or slot top), the way you measure the drop (length) will change a little bit. This is a bit of a fiddle, but once you’ve decided on the style, you can just ignore the ‘rules’ for the others.

We’ll go into more detail later, but as a quick pointer…
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Eyelet curtains and slot top curtains: Measure from the top of the pole.
Pencil pleat: Measure from the underside of the curtain pole if using a pole, or the top of the track if using a track.

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A Pair of Curtains Should be Twice the Length of the Pole or Track

The next thing to remember is that each curtain should cover the entire width of the window (or as close as possible). So, if your window pole or track is 50cm long, you want each curtain to be 50cm wide - most curtains come in pairs, so you’ll want 100cm in total.

This is because…
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Curtain poles usually extend several centimetres beyond the edge of the window, so you need the extra curtain width to cover that space.
If curtains are stretched too far, they’ll let in more light around the sides.
Having more material creates a fuller look. For added luxury, each curtain could be 1.5 or even 2 times wider than the curtain pole is long.

Three Simple Steps for Measuring Curtains

So, let’s get down to the finer details of how to measure curtain length and width. Grab your pen, paper and measuring tape, and follow these three simple steps.

1. Measure Curtain Width

Start with the width first. It’s a little more complicated than measuring the drop (length), but don’t worry - it’s easy enough with these handy tips.

If you already have a curtain pole or track installed, this part is fairly straightforward:

For curtain tracks, simply measure from end to end.
For curtain poles, measure to the end of the pole, but ignore the finials (the decorative bits).
…And remember to write down the measurements!

If you don’t have a curtain pole or track installed, you need to:

Measure the width of the window.
Add 30-40cm to this total (depending on space around the window) - this is how long your curtain pole should be.
Don’t forget to jot down the measurements!

Next, you need to calculate the width of the curtains that you want. We recommend buying a pair where each curtain is at least as wide as the curtain pole, or the track is long. This will give a more luxurious feel and avoid any light creeping in around the side.

For example, say your pole is 150cm long. We recommend that you buy a pair of curtains that are around 300cm wide in total (that is, 150cm width per curtain). But you can go even wider - perhaps 350cm or even 400cm, if you want an extra luxurious look.
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2. Measure Curtain Drop (Length)

Next up, it’s time to measure the length of the curtain, from the pole/track to the bottom. As we mentioned, the way you take this measurement will depend on the curtain type.

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For a slot top or eyelet curtain, measure from the top of the pole.
For a pencil pleat curtain, measure from the bottom of the pole if using a pole with rings, or the top of the track if using a track.

And, remember to think about the way you want the curtains to hang:

Window sill-length: Measure from the pole/track to the top of the window sill, then remove 1.5cm.
Apron curtains: Measure from the pole/track to the top of the window sill, then add 15cm.
Floor-length curtains: Measure from the pole/track to the floor, then remove 1.5cm.
Puddle curtains: Measure from the pole/track to the floor, then add 5-10cm.

So, for example…

Eyelet curtain on a pole at window sill length

Hold your tape measure in line with the top of the curtain pole. Measure down to the top of the window sill, then minus 1.5cm.
For instance, if you measure a drop that’s 75cm, you want your curtains to be 73.5cm long.

Pencil pleat curtain on a pole at floor length

Measure from the bottom of the pole to the floor, then minus 1.5cm from the total.
For instance, if the drop is 200cm, you want your curtains to be 198.5cm long.
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3. Bringing it all together

We have the width and length, so now it’s time to find your new curtains.

Use your curtain measurements to filter our fabulous range of curtains and find the perfect pair, whether you’re buying for a small bathroom window, bay window, or floor-to-ceiling bedroom window.

Buckingham Jacquard pencil pleat lined curtains in grey colour

Pulling Back the Curtain on Drapery Measurement

We know that measuring for curtains might seem a complex at first, but just take your time, go through step by step, and you’ll have your perfect drapes in no time.

For added peace of mind, we have a 28-day return policy, so if the measurements are a little off, we’ll provide a no-quibbles refund or can swap them for the right size.

Check out our huge range today, and find the perfect pair that’ll make your house a home.

Your Curtain Measuring Questions, Answered

How do you measure curtains for bay windows?

Measuring for bay curtains is generally no different to measuring curtains on flat walls. Just measure the length of the existing pole or track, then double this length - that’s at least how wide you want your pair of curtains.
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Are curtain measurements width or drop first?

We recommend measuring the curtain width first because it can be a little more complex than the drop, especially if you don’t already have a pole or track.

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How much wider should your curtains be than the window?

Rather than measuring curtains to the width of the window, you’ll actually want to measure to the width of the curtain pole or track. In most cases, the pole extends 15-20cm beyond the edge of the window.

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What if my window is very wide?

In the UK, most house windows are a fairly standard size, but if you have wider windows, you have two options. One approach is to combine panels - if you’re confident with a sewing machine, you can sew two or more curtains together. Alternatively, you might want to order bespoke curtains which will be cut to your exact dimensions.

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Should I measure the curtain drop from above the pole or below the pole?

If you want eyelet or slot top curtains, you should measure from the top of the pole. If you want pencil pleat curtains, it’s best to measure from the centre of the curtain ring. If you don’t know its size or diameter yet, then we’d advise measuring from the bottom of the pole.

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How do I know what type of curtains to buy?

There’s an enormous variety of curtain styles, so there are a few things to weigh up before deciding which is right for you. Make sure to think about the purpose of the room, how you want the room to feel, what sort of sliding mechanism you’d prefer, whether you have children or pets, etc. If you need more inspiration on finding the perfect pair, check out our buying guide to help narrow down your search.

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Is the process different for measuring blinds?

Yes, the process for measuring curtains and blinds is different. Blinds can attach to the wall in different ways (for example, inside the window recess), which affects how you’ll calculate the length. The length of blinds isn’t fixed in the same way as curtains either, so it doesn’t usually matter if they end up being a little longer.