How to Measure for Custom Curtains

A simple guide to getting the right fit — so your curtains look exactly as you imagined. Use the Measurement Tool →

Section 1 — A Few Terms Worth Knowing

These definitions make the rest of the guide much easier to follow.

Rod Width The full length of your curtain rod, not including decorative finials. This is your starting measurement for everything else.
Window Width The width of your window frame opening. Your rod should extend beyond this on each side to frame the window nicely and block light.
› Selected Width (what you order) The width you enter on the product page. This is the flat, fully-extended width of one panel — before any folds or pleats. Coverage width will be less once hung.
Coverage Width The area one panel actually covers once hung with natural folds. With our standard 2x fullness for Grommet, Rod Pocket, and Webbing styles: Coverage ≈ Selected Width ÷ 2.
Fullness The ratio of flat fabric to coverage area. 2x fullness — our default for most styles — means the fabric is twice as wide as what it covers, creating beautiful, full drape.
Pinch Pleat For Pinch Pleat styles, the selected width is the flat fabric before pleating. After the factory sews in the pleats, the finished top width is approximately half the selected width. More detail in Section 4.

Section 2 — One Panel or Two?

Decide this first — it affects how you calculate the width per panel.

Single curtain panel draped on one side of a window
Single Panel One panel, hung on one side. A great choice for a relaxed, asymmetric look or a narrower window. Order Quantity: 1.
Two curtain panels framing a window on both sides
Most Popular Split Panels — Pair Two panels, one on each side, opening from the center. This is the classic look. Order Quantity: 2. Each panel is intended to cover about half of the rod width after hanging. The width you order per panel depends on your selected header style.
Quick tip: If you're buying a pair, calculate the width per panel first, then order Quantity: 2.

Section 3 — Understanding the Width You Order

Left: a curtain panel laid flat. Right: the same panel hung with natural folds.
Flat panel — Selected Width
The panel fully extended, edge to edge. This is the number you enter at checkout.
Same panel, hung
Natural folds reduce the coverage area to roughly half the flat width — creating the full, tailored drape.
The key thing to know: The width you enter at checkout is the flat, fully-extended width of one panel — not how much of the window it covers once hung. For Grommet, Rod Pocket, and Webbing styles with 2x fullness, coverage is typically about half the ordered width.
How to size each panel

With our standard 2x fullness, each panel's flat width should be about twice the area you want it to cover when hung. If you want one panel to cover approximately 50″, select 100″ for that panel.

Selected Width per Panel = (Rod Width ÷ Number of Panels) × 2

The Measurement Tool handles this automatically — just enter your rod width and panel count.

For Pinch Pleat, the finished top width changes after pleating. See Section 4 for the specifics.

Section 4 — Width by Header Style

For most styles, the same formula applies. Pinch Pleat has its own logic, explained below.

Still deciding on a header style? Learn the difference between Grommet, Rod Pocket, Pinch Pleat, and 4-IN-1 curtains.

A note on Pinch Pleat width
Pinch Pleat curtains have their pleats permanently sewn in at the factory. The width you select is the flat fabric width before pleating — and after those pleats are sewn, the finished top width will be roughly half the selected width.

So the order width ends up being the same number as other styles, just for a different reason: instead of accounting for fabric gathered into folds when hung, you're accounting for fabric gathered into pleats during manufacturing.

Example: For a 100″ rod with 2 panels, select approximately 100″ per panel. After pleating, each panel's finished top is about 50″ — covering the rod beautifully.
Grommet
Metal rings glide along the rod. Natural S-curve folds when hung.
Order Width = Rod Width × 2 ÷ Panels
Example (100″ rod, 2 panels):
100 × 2 ÷ 2 = 100″ per panel
Covers ≈ 50″ each when hung.
Rod Pocket
Rod threads through a sleeve. Soft, stationary gathered look.
Order Width = Rod Width × 2 ÷ Panels
Example (100″ rod, 2 panels):
100 × 2 ÷ 2 = 100″ per panel
Covers ≈ 50″ each when hung.
Webbing
Soft tape attaches to rod or track. Clean, versatile header.
Order Width = Rod Width × 2 ÷ Panels
Example (100″ rod, 2 panels):
100 × 2 ÷ 2 = 100″ per panel
Covers ≈ 50″ each when hung.
Pinch Pleat
Pleats sewn at factory. Selected width = pre-pleat flat fabric. Finished top ≈ half the selected width.
Selected Width ≈ (Rod Width ÷ Panels) × 2
Example (100″ rod, 2 panels):
Desired finished top = 50″ per panel
Order Width = 50 × 2 = 100″ per panel
After pleating, finished top ≈ 50″ each.

Section 5 — Worked Example: 80″ Window

Starting point: 80″ window frame + 10″ extension each side = 100″ rod width. Split panels (Qty 2).

← Swipe left to view the full table

Measurement Grommet Rod Pocket Webbing Pinch Pleat
Window Frame Width 80″ 80″ 80″ 80″
Extension Each Side +10″ +10″ +10″ +10″
Rod Width 100″ 100″ 100″ 100″
Desired Coverage / Finished Top per Panel 50″ 50″ 50″ 50″ finished top
How Width Is Calculated 50 × 2 fullness 50 × 2 fullness 50 × 2 fullness 50 × 2 (pre-pleat fabric)
Selected Width per Panel 100″ 100″ 100″ 100″
Quantity to Order 2 2 2 2
Finished Top Width After Pleating N/A N/A N/A ≈ 50″ per panel
Coverage After Hanging ≈ 50″ each ≈ 50″ each ≈ 50″ each ≈ 50″ each
Total Coverage (both panels) ≈ 100″ ≈ 100″ ≈ 100″ ≈ 100″
The Selected Width per panel is 100″ across all styles for this example — what differs is the reason. For Grommet, Rod Pocket, and Webbing, the fabric gathers into folds when hung. For Pinch Pleat, the factory sews in the pleats before shipping.

Section 6 — How to Find Your Rod Width

If you don't have a rod installed yet, start from your window frame and add extensions on both sides.

Diagram showing rod width = window frame width + 10 inch extension on each side

Rod Width = Window Frame + extension on each side. Always use rod width as your starting point — not window width.

How much to extend

Add 6–15″ on each side of the window frame. A wider extension blocks side light when closed and lets panels stack clear of the glass when open.

Rod mounting height

Mount 4–10″ above the window frame, or go ceiling-mount for a more dramatic, expansive feel. Higher placement makes the ceiling feel taller.

No rod yet?

Mark the planned rod position with a pencil or tape measure. Measuring from a pencil mark is perfectly accurate — the Measurement Tool works from rod width, not an installed rod.

Section 7 — Choosing Your Length

Measure from the correct hanging point for your selected header style down to your preferred endpoint.

For most rod-hung styles (Grommet, Rod Pocket, Webbing), measure from the top of the rod. For Pinch Pleat or track styles, measure from the hook, ring, or track position shown in the measuring guide.
Three side-by-side views showing curtains at different lengths
4/5″ Above FloorHem sits just above the floor — clean, practical, and the easiest to keep tidy. The most commonly selected length in the Measurement Tool.
Floor Touch ★Hem grazes the floor with just a light kiss — a polished, finished look with no visible gap. Most popular overall.
3″ PuddleHem pools 3″ on the floor for a relaxed, dramatic effect. Best in rooms where panels stay in place.

These options correspond directly to the length choices in our Measurement Tool.

Section 8 — Before You Order

A few helpful reminders to make sure your curtains fit beautifully.

  • Start with the full rod or track width. If no rod is installed yet, measure the window width and add extra width on both sides.
  • Choose the panel style first: one panel opens to one side, while split panels open from the center and usually require Quantity: 2.
  • Use the correct width rule for your selected header style. Grommet, Rod Pocket, Back Tab, and Webbing follow the standard 2x fullness calculation.
  • Remember that the selected width is the flat width of each panel, not the final coverage width after hanging.
  • Measure the curtain length from the correct hanging point for your selected header style down to your preferred endpoint.
  • For Pinch Pleat, the selected width should be approximately double the desired finished top width per panel.

A Few Common Sizing Mistakes

What happens Why How to avoid it
Curtains too narrow, light gaps at sides Measuring window width instead of rod width Always start with the rod (or calculate rod width from window + extension)
Panels look flat with no drape Forgetting 2x fullness for Grommet / Rod Pocket / Webbing styles Selected Width = Rod × 2 ÷ Panels
Pinch Pleat top far too narrow for the rod Ordering at finished-top width rather than pre-pleat fabric width Order approximately 2× your desired finished top width per panel
Curtains hang shorter than expected or do not reach the desired endpoint Measuring from the window frame instead of the correct hanging point Measure from the appropriate hanging point for your header style (see Section 7)
Only half the window covered Ordering 1 panel when a pair is needed Split panels = Quantity 2 at checkout

Ready to find your perfect size?

Enter your measurements and the tool handles the math — width, length, and quantity — for every header style.

Open the Measurement Tool → Shop Custom Curtains