Define Your Room
Decide if the room needs softness, privacy, blackout, insulation or a tailored decorative layer.
Drapery measuring
Drapery Measuring Guide
Confirm fabric, mount type, finished width, length, and lining before ordering custom curtains.
Quick answer: how to measure for custom curtains
Start by choosing rod position, finished width, and finished length. For better coverage, mount the rod wider than the window and high enough for the look you want. Confirm header style, fullness, lining, side overlap, and floor clearance before ordering custom drapery.
- Measure the planned rod width, not only the glass or window frame.
- Measure finished length from the rod or ring position to the desired stopping point.
- Allow enough side return and overlap when privacy or blackout coverage matters.
- Order swatches before choosing fabric, color, opacity, and lining.
Custom curtain fit is affected by fabric weight, header construction, fullness, lining, hardware height, and whether the panels should kiss the floor, break slightly, or stop above a sill. When a window is wide, tall, or near furniture, photos and careful measurements help prevent an expensive mismatch.
How to accurately measure the size of curtains to customize the perfect curtains for your windows?
Read this most detailed instruction on measuring curtains carefully. We will introduce it to you in detail.
If you haven't installed the curtain rod, please install it first according to the following suggestions.
Determine the installation height of the curtain rod. We suggest it be 5 to 10 inches higher than the upper edge of the window frame. This can give your window the illusion of being taller and make it more beautiful.
To determine the width for installing the curtain rod, we suggest reserving additional width (5 to 15 inches) on both sides of the window frame respectively. So that the curtains can be stacked.
When you have completed the installation of the curtain rod or you already have one. You can measure the height and width now to make the curtains fit your windows better.
Regarding fullness
To prevent the curtains from looking like elongated bed sheets, you need to consider adding fullness to certain header styles to increase the coverage width.
We have already taken into account the fullness of the fabric when designing. For example, Pleated Style creates pleats with a fabric fullness of 200 to 330%. Make sure that the appearance remains full and plump even after the curtains are closed.
If you need a fuller effect, you can increase the fullness by an additional 1.3 to 2.0 times. For example: If your regular width is 50 inches, you can customize curtains that are 65 to 100 inches wide. This is a personal choice and not a mandatory requirement.
Below is a real photo of a high-fullness curtain (about 2x). Please experience the rich visual effect brought by the high fullness for yourself.
1. How to accurately measure pleated and flat hook curtains?
Width: It refers to the width from the end of the left pleat to the end of the right pleat when the curtain is fully unfolded, rather than the width when stacked.
If the curtain rod is 100 inches. You can order a 100-inch curtain or two panels, each 50 inches wide in pleated style.
Length (height):measured starting from the eye ring of the curtain hook.
2. How to accurately measure soft top and grommet curtains?
Width: The width of the single panel when fully expanded is the width of your order. You should measure the distance between the two ends of the curtain rod.
For instance, if the width of the curtain rod is 100 inches, you can order one 100-inch curtain or two 50-inch curtains
Length (height): measured from the top of the pole to the floor or the end point you prefer.
For instance, if the width of the curtain rod is 100 inches, you can order one 100-inch curtain or two 50-inch curtains
Length (height): measured from the top of the pole to the floor or the end point you prefer.
3. How to determine the most attractive length (height) of curtains?
Different curtain length (height) will bring different visual experiences to your room.
Sill height: The hem of the curtain is near the windowsill, with a small coverage area that cannot cover the wall, but it will save some expenses.
Sill height: The hem of the curtain is near the windowsill, with a small coverage area that cannot cover the wall, but it will save some expenses.
Floor length: The hem of the curtain is attached to the floor, which is the choice of the vast majority of customers.
Puddle length: The hem of the curtain leaves puddles on the floor, an elegant and noble choice.
Puddle length: The hem of the curtain leaves puddles on the floor, an elegant and noble choice.
Notes
1. Your custom curtains will be made according to the width and length you specify.
2. If the curtain heads you choose are of the following types, we will give you adjustable pin hooks for free:Pinch Pleat, Pinch Pleat with Back Tab, Triple Pinch Pleat, Tailor Pleat, Triple Tailor Pleat, Flat Hooks
3. Use a steel tape measure to measure the width and length, accurate to 1 inch.
Measure each window and door separately.
Measure each window and door separately.
4. This guide does not cover all possible scenarios and methods. For more complex measurements or inquiries, please send an email to: support@fredesigner.com
How do you measure windows before ordering custom curtains online?
Measure the finished area you want curtains to cover, not only the glass. Confirm rod or track position, finished width, finished length, fullness and floor clearance before entering custom curtain sizes.
- Measure the rod or track span.Include the planned side return beyond the frame so the curtains can cover the window fully.
- Measure from hanging point to finish length.Decide whether the curtain should float, kiss the floor or have a slight break.
- Confirm fabric, lining and fullness.Swatches and lining choices affect how the final panel hangs and how much privacy it gives.
User guide
From idea to installed window treatment
Make Your Selection
Compare fabrics, header styles, lining, shade construction and mount direction before ordering.
Measure Your Window
Use finished dimensions, not just glass size, so the final product hangs with the right scale.
Install and Train
Review hardware, bracket placement and fabric care so curtains fall neatly after installation.
Choose the right guide
Quick decision matrix
Light FilteringSheer and linen blends for relaxed brightness.
Room DarkeningBlackout lining for bedrooms and media spaces.
Natural TextureBamboo and woven shades for layered warmth.
Easy AccuracyUse support when measuring bay windows, tall windows or layered treatments.
Measuring guide answers
Which measurements matter before ordering Fredesigner custom curtains or shades?
Measure for the Fredesigner product you plan to order, not just the glass. Curtains need finished width, finished length, fullness and hardware position. Roman and bamboo shades need width, height, frame depth and inside or outside mount decisions. Recheck the numbers before checkout because custom sizing is based on the measurements you submit.
Best first step
Choose curtain, Roman shade or bamboo shade
Finished width, length, fullness and hardware position
Curtains
Plan the finished coverage area, including rod height, side overlap, stack space, floor length and fullness.
Roman and bamboo shades
Confirm width, height, frame depth and whether inside mount or outside mount gives the cleaner fit.
Before checkout
Write down final measurements, compare swatches if color matters and ask support before ordering unusual windows.
Best first stepChoose curtain, Roman shade or bamboo shade
Curtain measurementsFinished width, length, fullness and hardware position
Shade measurementsWidth, height, depth and mount type
Should I measure curtains and Roman shades the same way?
No. Curtains use finished width, finished length, fullness and hardware placement. Roman and bamboo shades use width, height, frame depth and mount type.
When should I choose outside mount?
Outside mount can help when the frame is shallow, the window needs more coverage or you want the window to look taller.
What should I do before entering custom sizes?
Recheck the product family, measurement unit, width, height or length, mount type and any support notes before adding the item to cart.
When should I contact support about measurements?
Contact support before checkout if the window is unusually shaped, very shallow, extra wide, layered with another treatment or hard to measure.
