Home / Guides / How to measure windows for curtains (width & fullness)
How to measure · Curtains
How to measure windows for curtains (width & fullness)
Curtains look wrong when they're ordered flat — the same width as the window. Real curtains are gathered, so you order by a fullness ratio. Here's the math, and where to end them.
Width = rod width × fullness
Measure your rod (or track) width, bracket to bracket — not the glass. Then multiply by a fullness ratio for the gathered look:
- 1.5× — light gather, casual, sheers on a slim rod.
- 2× — the standard drape; looks full when open and closed.
- 2.5–3× — luxurious, heavy pinch-pleat.
Example: a 60-inch rod at 2× fullness wants ~120 inches of curtain across (one wide panel or two 60-inch panels). Mount the rod 4–6 in above the frame and extend it 6–12 in past each side, so open curtains clear the glass and the window looks bigger.
Length — where curtains end
Measure from the rod (where the ring/hook sits) down to your chosen stopping point. Sill, apron, float, or puddle → — the full length guide.
FAQ
Do I measure the window or the rod for curtain width?
The rod. Curtains hang from the rod, which you extend past the window on both sides. Then multiply the rod width by your fullness ratio (2× is standard) for a gathered, not flat, look.
What fullness ratio should I use?
2× the rod width is the reliable default. Go 1.5× for sheers or a minimal look, up to 2.5–3× for heavy pleated drapes.
Early access
Be first when window ordering opens.
We already cut outdoor cushions and covers to size at MeasuredPatio. Windows are next — curtains, screens, weatherstrip, then blinds. Leave your email and we'll bring you in first, with a founding-order discount.
You're on the list. We'll email you the moment window ordering opens — nothing else. ✓
One email at launch. No newsletter. We keep your measurements out of it until you ask.