How to Measure for Window Shades and Curtains

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A guide to the drape styles, mounts, and measurements you need to know

Co-authored by TWOPAGES Curtains and Dan Hickey

Last Updated: December 10, 2025 Fact Checked

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Choosing a Style & Mount

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Measuring for Curtains

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Measuring for Shades

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Choosing Shades & Curtains

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More Measuring Tips

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Things You'll Need

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Drapes and shades can make a room feel homey and inviting, and a big part of their appeal is how large and elegant they make your windows look. But what size curtains should you use, and how do you take the correct window treatment measurements? We’ve partnered with the design experts at TWOPAGES Curtains to share how to choose the right style and mount for your space, plus how to accurately measure for curtains and drapes or blinds and shades. After reading this guide, you’ll be certain you’re ordering the perfect size and style of curtains for your home!

Measuring for Full-Coverage Drapes: Quick Guide

Measure the width of the window frame (outside edge to outside edge) and add 6-15 inches (15-38 cm) per side. For example, a 48” window plus 6” per side means you need a rod and curtains that are 60” wide. Put the rod 6-10 inches (15-25 cm) above the window and measure from the rod to your desired endpoint for height.

Section 1 of 5:

Before You Measure (Deciding Style & Mount)

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Determine whether you prefer an inside or outside mount window treatment. Both curtains and blinds or shades can be mounted to the inside of your window frame (inside mount) or to the wall above it (outside mount). Inside mount treatments are sleek and clean and work well in cramped or casual spaces, like kitchen windows or reading nooks. Outside mounts look larger and more opulent, and can make your windows look larger and taller.
- Inside mount curtains are often hung with a simple tension rod, while outside mounts use curtain rods that attach to the wall and extend past the width of your window.
- Blinds and shades are installed with mounting brackets, whether they’re mounted inside or outside the window frame.
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Choose how high and how long you’d like your curtain rod or track (outside mounts). Typically, curtain rods are mounted 6-10 inches (15.2-25.4 cm) above the window frame to make your window look taller.^{[1]
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Research source} However, if you don’t have this much space above your window, place the rod about halfway between your window frame and ceiling for a balanced look.
- As for the length of the curtain rod, it’s recommended to add 6-15 inches (15.2-38.1 cm) per side to the width of the window (not including finials or endcap decorations).^{[2]
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  Research source} For example, if your window is 48 inches wide, you’d want a curtain rod that’s 60-78 inches long.
- Keep in mind that finials or other decorative elements at the ends of the curtain rod do not count toward your width measurement. They will still add extra length to your window treatment, though, so keep this in mind when you’re measuring your space.
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Decide where you want the bottom of your curtain panels to end. Where exactly your curtains break is up to you and your style, whether you prefer a more casual curtain that stops near the windowsill or elegant drapes that pool on the floor. Here are the most common places for curtain bottoms to hit:
- Apron break: The curtains hit right at the windowsill (best for inside mount drapes and a casual, farmhouse look).
- Sill break: The curtains hit below the windowsill and above the floor (best for casual, formal, and high-traffic areas).
- Floor-length break: The curtain panels just barely skim the floor (works well for any style or room). Typically, these end about ½ inch (1.3 cm) above the floor (or 1 inch (2.5 cm) above carpeted floor).
- Floor-length sweep: The curtains hit the floor and have a slight bend, like a hemmed pant leg. Add 1-3 inches (2.5-7.6 cm) of length for a gentle bend.
- Puddle break: The curtains pool or “puddle” on the floor for a dramatic and luxurious look (best for formal, low-traffic areas). Add 6-12 inches (15.2-30.5 cm) for a more dramatic and luxurious look.
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Consider how full you want the drapes to look when they’re pulled across the window. If you’re only planning to hang decorative panels on the sides of your window, you don’t need to worry about how stretched they’ll look when they’re pulled closed. However, if you want your drapes to ripple and gather even when they’re stretched out, keep these considerations in mind:
- Pleated and ripple-fold curtains often have fullness accounted for in their width measurements (for example, if you order a 50-inch curtain, the curtain will still have folds and pleats when it’s fully extended to 50 inches). You do not need to order extra width.
- Soft top and grommet curtains do not have fullness accounted for in their width (if you fully extend them, they will appear flat with no folds or gathering). It’s recommended to order 1.5 times the rod length for a moderate gather, or 2 times the rod length for a rich, standard gather.^{[3]
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- Always check the fullness ratio before purchasing any curtains or drapes, as fullness across different styles or brands can vary. For example, a fullness ratio of 1 (100%) means that the curtain will be flat when extended. A ratio of 1.5 (150%) uses 1.5 times as much fabric for a moderate gather, a ratio of 2 (200%) uses twice as much to look even fuller, etc.

Section 2 of 5:

Measuring Windows for Curtains

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Measure the window’s width and add 6-15 inches (15.2-38.1 cm) per side. First, use a metal tape measure to measure the width of your window from the outsides of the trim pieces. Then, add another 6 to 15 inches (15.2-38.1 cm) per side to make your window look larger and block light more effectively. Jot down the final measurement—the result will be the length of the rod you need to hang the curtains, as well as the width measurement for your drapes or curtains.
- Exactly how much you want the rod to extend beyond the window width is up to you and what looks best in your space.
- If you already have a curtain rod or track installed, just measure the length of the rod itself (not including any finials or other decorative elements on the ends).
- Need help measuring? TWOPAGES’ Drapery Measurement Finder is an online tool that shows you exactly what and where to measure to ensure your curtains are exactly the correct width and length for your unique window. Just follow the prompts and enter the requested measurements for easy shopping!
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Measure your preferred curtain length or drop. Exactly how long your curtains are and where they hit the wall or floor is up to your style preferences. However, the way your curtain is attached to the rod or track determines how you take your measurements. Here are some measurement guides based on the type of curtain you have:^{[4]
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- Pleated curtains with hooks: Measure length from the curtain hook’s eyelet ring to your desired break.
- Soft top curtains: Measure length from the curtain top to your desired break.
- Grommet curtains: Measure length from the top of the curtain rod to your desired break.
- Ripple-fold curtains on a track: Measure length from the carriers or hooks on the track down to your desired break. If you do not have a track installed yet, measure from the point where the track will be installed (on the ceiling or wall) down to the floor or your preferred endpoint, then subtract the track height (track + roller hook height).
- For a floor-length break, measure to the floor and subtract up to 1 inch (2.5 cm).
- For a “kisses” style (break on floor), measure to the floor.
- For a floor-length sweep, measure to the floor and add 1-3 inches (2.5-7.6 cm).
- For a puddling effect, measure to the floor and add 6-12 inches (15.2-30.5 cm).
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Measure height and width inside the window frame for inside-mount curtains. If you’re opting to install your curtains inside the window frame with a tension rod, your measurements are much simpler:
- Width: Measure the inside of the window frame from trim to trim at the point you’d like the tension rod to be. For full coverage, this will be toward the top of the window, parallel to the sash. For partial coverage (like using cafe curtains in a kitchen window), this will be toward the center of the frame.
- Height: Inside mount curtains generally reach the windowsill. Measure from the sash to the windowsill to get your height measurement.

Section 3 of 5:

Measuring Windows for Shades & Blinds

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Measuring for an inside mount Inside mount treatments are installed inside the window casing and can be paired with draperies mounted outside the window. Inside mounts offer a clean, streamlined look, but don't provide as much light control as outside mounts do. Here’s how to measure for inside-mount shades or blinds:
- Width: Measure across the inside of the window frame at the top, middle, and bottom of the window. Use the narrowest measurement as your width.
- Height: Measure the window frame from top to bottom in the center and on the left and right sides. Use the longest measurement as your height.
- Depth: Measure the depth of the window casing to determine how deep your blinds or shades can be. This will vary based on the design you choose, so double-check the mounting requirements before buying!
- Consult a pro if you need help determining how to measure. TWOPAGES Curtains’ professional customer service reps are happy to help you with free online measurement appointments over Zoom so you can get expert guidance and a perfect fit.
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Measuring for an outside mount Outside mount treatments are installed outside the window casing. These are popular when blinds are going to be the only window covering, since extending them past the window provides maximum light control. Here’s how to measure for outside-mount shades or blinds:
- Width: Measure the width of the entire window, including the frame. Add 2-4 inches (5-10.2 cm) to allow for light gap coverage.^{[5]
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- Height: Measure the height of the entire window, including the frame. Add up to 10-12 inches (25.4-30.5 cm) for maximum light blockage and to make your window look taller.^{[6]
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- Remember that your mounting brackets will need at least 2 inches (5 cm) of flat wall space above the window. You may need projection brackets to clear your window frame’s moulding, too.
- TWOPAGES’ blinds and shades add simple elegance to any room, whether you mount them inside or outside the window frame. They look especially great in kitchens, bathrooms, reading or dining nooks, or any window that needs an effortless touch of style and privacy.

Section 4 of 5:

Choosing and Ordering Curtains & Shades

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Get TWOPAGES custom curtains tailored just for you. TWOPAGES’ menu-based online order page makes purchasing your drapes and shades a breeze! Browse and choose from 40 collections of 1,000+ neutral fabrics with 10 different header styles and 6 kinds of liners (like blackout thermal, noise reduction, and more). With low-priced fabric samples and short lead times of just 5-12 days, you’ll have the custom window treatment of your dreams in no time. Not sure what you’re looking for yet? Here are some of TWOPAGES’ most popular items:
- Linen and cotton curtains are versatile, popular choices for their warmth and style, whether you prefer casual looks or refined elegance.
- The Living Room Curtains collection features curated modern and classic designs for a warm, inviting atmosphere.
- Their cafe curtains are perfect for half-window treatments in laundry rooms, dining areas, kitchens, and more—they’re the perfect blend of privacy and natural light!
- The classic Roman Shades come in 13 folding styles, 10 lift types, and over 200 colors to choose from, meaning there’s a perfect shade for any window in your home!

Section 5 of 5:

Helpful Measuring Tips to Remember

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Keep these handy tips in mind when you’re measuring and ordering drapes. No matter how large your window is or which style of curtain you’re after, these recommendations will make measuring a breeze (and ensure you get the correct size of drapes or shades):
- Always record your measurements with the width first, followed by the height (W x H).
- Use a metal tape measure since it’ll give you a more accurate measurement than a cloth one.
- Round your measurements to the nearest ⅛ of an inch. Round down for width, and round up for height.
- Decide if you’d prefer an inside or outside mount before you measure. If you’re not sure, measure for both so you’re free to choose whichever window treatment speaks to you.
- Don’t forget to multiply your curtain width for fullness, depending on the style of fabric. You may need to order 1.5, 2, or even 3 times the width, based on how full you’d like the curtains to look.
- To maximize blackout, mount your curtains at least 6 inches (15.2 cm) above the window frame and 6-12 inches (15.2-30.2 cm) past the frame on both sides. Consider using a curved blackout rod for the fullest coverage.