Whether you’re going for a fresh new look for an otherwise dreary room or an entirely new makeover for your house, one thing stands out—the curtains. And curtains start with accurate measurements. Do you know how to measure for curtains with confidence?
Don't worry! The first step is to measure, whether you're looking for custom-size blackout curtains for a completely dark look or custom curtains for your living room. We're going to show you how to accomplish it.
Why Is Curtain Measurement So Important?
Size matters, especially when it comes to curtains. Here’s a little scenario check for you.
Imagine the first event, where you do spend the time and effort it takes to measure and plan out everything correctly. What do you get?
- Your windows look higher.
- Your space feels bigger.
- Your curtains do what they’re made to do, whether that’s blocking light, protecting your privacy, or just framing the view from your window.
On the other hand, if you don’t measure right and skimp out on the effort to get there, you end up with this:
- Uneven fabric
- Too-short panels
- Patches and areas that let in too much light.
Not good, right? So if you just spend a little bit of time learning how to measure curtains, you can save yourself from all of that! You won’t need to worry about expensive returns or alterations, either. And most importantly, you won’t be disappointed.
The Tools You’ll Need On Hand:
Measuring is important, but so is having the right tools to do it. So before you learn how to measure for curtains, grab all of these items so you won’t get blindsided in the process.
- Metal Tape Measures (These are better than fabric ones because they tend to stretch and throw off the accurate measures you need.)
- Notebook and Pencil Make sure to write down the measurements! Memory is excellent but not always reliable.
- A Stepladder (You’ll need this for the higher windows.)
- Someone To Help Out (Trust me—doing all of this alone is anxiety in the making.)
- Optional: A Level or laser measuring tool for dead-accurate readings
An Expert Opinion: Joydeco’s design consultants recommend sketching each window in your notebook and writing the numbers directly on the diagram. This makes ordering much simpler later.
Step 1: Measure the Width of the Window
Inside vs. Outside Mount
You’ll need to choose between two options:
- Inside Mount: The curtains hang inside the window frame
- Outside Mount: Curtains hang outside the frame
Most people choose the outside mounts because they look better and block more light.
Rod Placement and Width Calculation
For outside mounts, measure the width of the window frame and then add 6–15 inches on each side. This extension makes the window look larger and ensures curtains stack neatly when open.
- Minimum extension: 6 inches each side
- Best practice: 8–12 inches
- Maximum effect: 15 inches for a bold, high-impact look
Fullness Ratio
Curtains shouldn’t look flat when closed. The secret is the fullness ratio:
- 1.5x the rod width = neat and tailored
- 2x = balanced, soft folds (most popular)
- 2.5x = dramatic luxury
Step 2: Measure The Curtain Drop Length
How long should your curtains be? Figure it out by finding which one fits your needs:
- Sill length: These end just above the windowsill, making them practical for kitchens and bathrooms.
- Apron length: Extends 6 inches below the sill. Tidy and casual.
- Floor length: Just skims the floor—ideal for living rooms, bedrooms, and formal areas.
- Puddle length: Pools 6–12 inches onto the floor. Dramatic, but best where curtains won’t be pulled often.
How do you measure drapes for windows to hit these lengths? Always measure from the rod or hanging hardware down. To do so, check left, center, and right so you can account for uneven floors or ceilings. Use the shortest measurement for a balanced finish.
Step 3: Consider Curtain Rod Placement
Rod height can make or break the look.
- Standard advice: Mount rods 4–6 inches above the window frame.
- The DRAMA: Go 8–12 inches above or mount near the ceiling to basically elongate the room.
- 8-Foot Ceilings: 6 inches below the ceiling line avoids emphasizing the lower ceiling height.
- Tall Ceilings and Cathedrals: Take advantage of the height and mount closer to the top.
This trick instantly makes windows and ceilings appear taller—worth the effort.
Measuring for Different Curtain Types
Blackout Curtains
If you’re ordering custom-size blackout curtains, precision is everything. Extend rods 3–6 inches past each side of the frame to block light leakage. Overlap curtain panels in the center, let them just “kiss” the floor, and consider ceiling-mounted tracks if total darkness is your goal.
Sheer Curtains
Sheer panels are more forgiving. You can choose less fullness for a lighter look or go for dramatic volume. Since these aren’t about blocking light, you can relax a little on precision—but still aim for symmetry.
Custom Curtains
When it comes to custom curtains for living room areas—or any high-visibility space—measure twice.
Custom orders cost a lot and can't be returned. If your windows are strange shapes, too big, or have other architectural problems, you might want to hire a professional like Joydeco to measure, plan, and complete the process for you—or explore our custom curtain collection for tailored solutions
Common Problems You Can Still Avoid
It's simple to make a mistake when you know how to measure for curtains. Be careful of these problems:
- Forgetting rod allowance: Always measure from where the curtain hangs, not the frame.
- Overlooking hardware: Rings and grommets alter hanging length.
- Assuming windows are identical: Measure each one individually.
- Using fabric tape: Stretches and skews results.
- Rushing: Measure twice, cut once—that rule applies here too.
Special Situations
Some windows need extra thought:
- Bay windows: Measure each section separately. Decide if you want one continuous rod or individual ones.
- French doors or sliding doors: Add 12–18 inches per side so curtains clear the opening. Don’t forget to factor in door handles.
- Floor-to-ceiling windows: Go bold, but use extra support brackets for long spans.
In each of these, the process of “How do you measure drapes for windows?” stays the same—you just adapt to the unique shape or function.
Easy, right? But no worries—if you’re still confused about how to do this, check out our detailed measurement guidelines before you get started.
Quick Reference Chart
| Window Width | Rod Width | Curtain Width (2x fullness) |
|---|---|---|
| 24–30 in | 36–42 in | 72–84 in total |
| 32–36 in | 44–48 in | 88–96 in total |
| 48–54 in | 60–66 in | 120–132 in total |
| 60–72 in | 72–84 in | 144–168 in total |
Use this as a baseline, then adjust for your style and function!
You’ve Measured Out the Curtains… But Which One Do You Choose?
Once you’ve written down your window’s width and drop, the real question is which curtain style will actually suit your space. You might have the structure now, but the finish depends on which final fabric and style you choose.
Take blackout curtains, in a bedroom for example. They need to fit more tightly so they can fully stop light from entering. On the other hand, if you’re looking at the opposite—like sheer curtains for a dining room—they can be more flowing, wider, and less strict.
When you narrow down, remember these important things:
- Control the light with blackout, sheer, or layered options.
- Pick your aesthetic with normal puddled curtains, casual sill-length, or tailored floor-length.
- Consider practical choices that are easy to clean for kitchens or less practical options with soft textures for living rooms and unique sizes for windows that aren't standard.
When you have your statistics, choosing is less about guessing and more about aligning your lifestyle with the design. Check out this detailed guide on the top curtain styles you can choose from to expand your options!
Why Joydeco?
Value Comparison
At Joydeco, the direct-to-consumer approach means you’re paying for quality fabrics and craftsmanship rather than retail markups.
Many times, intermediaries make prices go up for traditional stores, but our prices are always clear and fair. This way, you may buy curtains that look and feel like they're from a high-end store without having to pay a lot for them.
It’s no surprise that there are so many positive reviews about Joydeco products, with one reviewer sharing about blackout curtains,
“I bought these to cover my sliding glass door. We have had a scorching summer so far, and my house was heating up so quickly from the light and heat from my large sliding glass door. I wanted something that was visually attractive but blocked out a lot of the light and heat. These do both!! They are beautiful and great quality.”
Other reviewers praised sheer, semi-sheer, and other styles, as well, with one buyer commenting,
“Love these curtains, went with the longer length and they look gorgeous in our guest room. Does let some light through but great for privacy. Good quality and great value for the cost. Would recommend!”
Joydeco Services
To reduce purchase anxiety, we offer extras that most retailers overlook:
- Free design consultation: Personal guidance on measurements, fabric choice, and installation.
- Fabric sample program: Test swatches in your own lighting before committing.
- Warranty coverage: Confidence that your curtains are protected long after purchase.
These services aren't simply extras; they're part of Joydeco's pledge to make choosing easier and make sure you're happy.
Need personalized help? Contact us today, and one of our consultants will guide you!
Measure with Confidence, Decorate with Joydeco
At first, measuring for curtains may seem hard, but it gets surprisingly easy when you have a clear plan and the perfect person to help you. Once you have your measurements, you can buy with confidence, knowing that every curtain will look as nice as it works.
At Joydeco, we offer elegance and value without having to give up on quality. Now that you know how to measure and make smart choices, it’s time to explore all curtains at Joydeco—from ready-made designs to fully custom solutions.
