How to Measure Curtains: Step by Step
1. Pleated curtains with rail
📏 Measure width:
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Measure the full length of the rail (including any bends for a U or L rail).
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Do not measure the width of the window, but from rail to rail .
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The pleats themselves provide extra volume – no need to add extra centimetres.
📐 Measure height:
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Measure from the bottom of the rail to:
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2 cm above the floor (standard)
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Just above the windowsill , if the curtain needs to be shorter
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Measure in 2-3 places (left, center, right) and use the shortest measurement for a neat result.
2. Ring curtains with rod
📏 Measure width:
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Measure the length of the rod (between the insides of the end knobs).
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If necessary, add an extra 5-10 cm on both sides if you want the curtains to completely overlap the window.
📐 Measure height:
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Measure from the top of the rod to the desired length.
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Add about 2.5 cm to the height , because the rings are a little below the top of the curtain.
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For a floor-length curtain: measure up to 2 cm above the floor .
3. Wave curtains with rail
📏 Measure width:
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Measure the full rail width from end to end, including curves if present.
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The wave fold is determined by the runners and the band – do not add anything yourself .
📐 Measure height:
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Measure from the top of the rail to the desired bottom:
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For floor length: up to 2 cm above the floor
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At windowsill: just above the edge
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🔧 Extra tips:
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Use a steel tape measure for accurate measurements.
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Record everything in centimeters , with one decimal place if possible.
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Always measure in several places (especially the height) – floors and ceilings are rarely perfectly straight.
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Order separately for each window – so you always have perfectly fitting curtains.