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Explore our expert tips and step-by-step process for curtains that fit like a dream.
Getting your curtain measurements spot on is like finally finding the perfect pair of jeans — the journey might be challenging, but it all feels worth it when everything fits just right. When your curtains are accurately measured and hang flawlessly, they don't just offer darkness, warmth and privacy; they can transform the atmosphere of an entire room.
Not everybody knows how to measure for curtains and achieve a full, luxurious finish — but just how achievable this is might surprise you. Whether you're new to curtain measuring, refreshing your knowledge or simply looking to avoid some common mistakes, we're covering our designer-approved measuring method in this comprehensive curtain guide.
Need specific tips for eyelet or pencil pleat curtains? Check out our individual curtain measuring guides for each heading type.
While it can be tempting to wing your curtain measurements or pay for a professional fitting service, a perfect fit can be a reality in your home with the right know-how. If you're in doubt about just how important getting curtain measurements right can be, here are some points to keep in mind:
- Privacy and Light Control: Correctly-fitted curtains give you complete control over light and privacy levels — no more unwanted attention from sneaky sunbeams or nosy neighbours.
- Warmth and Energy Efficiency: Curtains that fully cover your window retain heat and prevent drafts from creeping through. Lined thermal curtains are specially designed for warmth, and can even help to lower your home's heating costs.
- Aesthetics: Taking your time to measure for curtains accurately makes a world of difference. From drapes that drop to just the right level, to choosing the ideal width for your chosen fabric — precise measurements will give your entire room a curated, professional finish.
Craving more information about our stunning curtains range? Our curtain buying guide covers everything from fabrics, designs and sizes to our linings, heading types and more.
Common curtain measuring mistakes
Mistakes are easily made, and measuring in a rush can leave you with curtains that are a tad too short or a smidge too narrow. Here are some common measuring mishaps that will result in curtains that are more ‘oops’ than ‘ooh’.
- Incorrectly measuring for length can lead to curtains that are too short, leaving an awkward-looking gap above your floor.
- Going too long, on the other hand, can result in a tripping hazard — not to mention the potential dirt and damage to your curtain’s fabric.
- Falling short on width can leave you with curtains that don’t meet in the middle, or look flat and flimsy when closed.
But don’t worry! By taking the time to measure carefully, you can avoid these pitfalls and end up with curtains that look and function marvelously.
Before you start taking your curtain measurements, it's important to gather all the right tools for the job. Here's a list of the essential equipment you'll need to tackle any window-measuring task with confidence:
- Measuring Tape: This is arguably the most valuable tool in your arsenal, so consider purchasing yourself a new tape measure to maximise accuracy. Steel measuring tapes are the sturdiest and most precise, while a length of at least 3 metres is useful for those tricky-to-reach areas.
- Pencil and Paper: Don't rely on your memory — jotting down your curtain measurements as you go will save you the stress of forgetting them later. You can also use your phone, just make sure you're recording your measurements accurately and keeping them somewhere safe.
- Step Ladder: A short step ladder will give you just enough of a boost to reach those higher spots while measuring comfortably. Perfect curtains are important, but they're not worth risking your safety by relying on wobbling chairs or tiptoes.
- Spirit Level: A certified DIY essential, spirit levels are used to measure how level (horizontal) or plumb (vertical) a surface is. When measuring for curtains, a spirit level allows you to ensure your brackets are correctly positioned and your curtain pole (or track) is perfectly level.
If you've spent time researching how to measure for curtains, you'll have noticed a lot of technical words that you may not have come across before. While terms like ‘drop’ and ‘curtain heading’ come in handy, not knowing what they mean can make curtain measuring more difficult than it needs to be. In the interest of keeping things simple, we've explained some of the most commonly-used curtain terminology below.
Whether you're chatting with a curtain expert or simply want to understand this guide a little better, here are the key terms you need to know:
- Drop: Curtain ‘drop’ or length refers to how long your curtains are from top to bottom.
- Width: This is how wide your curtains are when fully spread out. It’s usually found by measuring along your curtain pole or track.
- Heading/Header: This is the top section of your curtain, where it’s attached to your pole or track. There are several types of curtain heading, from classic pencil pleats to modern eyelets, pinch pleats, tab tops and more.
- Fullness: Essentially how gathered or voluminous curtains are, fullness refers to the amount of fabric used compared to the width of the window space.
- Stack Back: Similar to fullness, the ‘stack back’ is how much space a curtain’s fabric takes up when fully drawn back to either side of the window.
Now that you've gathered your tools and all the essential curtain vocabulary, it's time to start taking your first set of measurements. It's generally best to start by measuring for width, as the length measurement will be informed by the size and position of your curtain pole or track.
Make sure you've got your measuring tape in hand and your notepad nearby, then follow these simple steps:
- Measure the poll or track: Grab your measuring tape and measure the full length of your curtain pole or track. Don't include any finials (decorative ends) on your curtain pole in your measurement.
- Record your measurements: Measure your pole or track at least twice to make sure you’ve got an accurate figure. Carefully step down from your ladder, then write down your width measurement for later.
- Choose your curtain width: Browse our selection of ready made curtains, choose your favourite design and click on the ‘size (width x drop)’ dropdown. Select the width that's closest to your measurement, moving up a size if you can't find an exact match.
It’s as easy as that! We make sure that your curtains arrive with the perfect amount of fullness, so you don’t need to make any adjustments. Simply measure your pole or track, and choose the corresponding width when ordering your curtains. We offer three width sizes, based on the UK's most popular window measurements: 117cm, 168cm and 229cm.
While it involves slightly more work, measuring for a curtain drop gives you the opportunity to showcase your individual style — choosing a length which complements your space both aesthetically and practically.
Don't worry if you're struggling to decide; we've listed some popular curtain lengths and their benefits below.
1. Choose your length
First things first, how long do you want your curtains to be? You've got a few different options, each bringing a distinctive finish and some relevant practical considerations.
- Sill-length curtains create a neat and casual look, and work particularly well for those who prioritise practicality and maintenance. They usually drop to either 1cm above or 15cm below the window sill, staying well clear of radiators, furniture and any dust or pet hair.
- Floor-length curtains offer a glamorous finish, making short walls appear taller while providing greater light and privacy control. They drop to 1cm above the floor.
- Pooled curtains exude pure luxury, and can be achieved by adding 10-20cm onto your floor-length measurement so that the fabric gathers gracefully on the floor. While pooled or ‘puddled’ curtains do require some extra maintenance, they add an incredibly romantic touch.
2. Find your starting point
When measuring for curtain length, the point at which you start varies depending on the type of curtain you plan on ordering:
- When measuring for pencil pleat curtains, start your drop measurement from the top of your track, or the eye of your curtain rings if using a pole.
- When measuring for eyelet curtains, start your length measurement from the top of the pole.
3. Measure to your chosen drop
Once you've decided on your preferred length and know where to start measuring from, all that's left is to measure down to your curtains' end point. As floors and windowsills aren't always perfectly level, we recommend taking at least three drop measurements — one from the middle, and one from either end of your pole or track.
You'll find three different curtain lengths in our collection: 137cm, 183cm and 229cm. Choose the length which most closely matches your measurement, double-checking for accuracy and rounding up to a larger size where needed. As curtain length is slightly more tricky to measure for than width, an extra pair of hands will help to ensure that your measuring tape stays straight and your figures are exact.
While the above methods will give you perfect curtain measurements for the majority of window spaces, it’s common to experience difficulty or need some further guidance along the way. Below, we’ve covered some of the most common queries we receive around measuring for curtains.
How to measure a bay window for curtains
Beautiful, distinctive and a glorious source of natural light — bay windows are a stunning architectural addition to any home. While measuring for bay window curtains might seem daunting, it’s not nearly as complicated as you might think.
Because bay windows are fitted at unique angles, a custom track or pole is often needed when installing curtains. Once fitted, all you need to do is measure each straight section of the pole/track and add them all together to find your curtain width. Then, simply measure the drop as normal for each individual section.
How do I measure for curtains without a pole or track installed?
A lot of curtain measuring advice relies on the fact that you’ve already installed a pole or track above your window. While this will make the process easier, don’t worry if you haven’t managed to get one up yet.
A handy way around this is to measure the width of your window and add approximately 15cm to either side. This will leave plenty of space for curtain brackets and decorative finials. For length, start from at least 15cm above the top of your window and measure down to your preferred drop.
How to measure for pencil pleat & eyelet curtains
The correct way to measure for curtains will vary depending on your chosen type of heading. While the differences are relatively small, making small adjustments to the way you measure will completely transform how your curtains look when hung.
The main thing to remember is that pencil pleat curtains can be hung on either a pole or a track, while eyelet curtains can only be hung on a pole. The starting point for curtain length measurements is different for poles and tracks, so keep this in mind when sizing up your window space.
Need more help measuring for eyelet or pencil pleat curtains? Not to worry — we’ve got detailed curtain measuring guides for each heading type over on our Inspiration blog.
What curtain sizes are available from Furn?
To fit as many windows as possible while giving you plenty of sizing choice, we offer 8 different combinations of curtain width and length. Here are all of the ready made curtain sizes that we currently offer:
117 x 137cm
117 x 183cm
168 x 137cm
168 x 183cm
168 x 229cm
229 x 137cm
229 x 183cm
229 x 229cm
Measuring for curtains isn’t as complicated or difficult as it seems. By using the right tools for the job, taking your time and double-checking all measurements as you go — you can end up with flawless-looking curtains that fit like a glove in your window space.
Got a specific question that you can’t find the answer to above? Don’t hesitate to reach out — our friendly team of customer service experts are always happy to help.
Feeling a bit more confident about your curtain-measuring quest? If you’ve used these tips to hang some stunning-looking curtains in your home, don’t forget to share your results with us on Instagram, Facebook or TikTok.
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