Curtain Size Calculator: The right size can make all the difference - Design Morsels (2024)

Are you in the market for curtains? Before you click “buy” be sure that you’re getting the right size for your window. Curtains come in pretty standard sizes. Your job is to choose the size that is the closest to what’s ideal for your window.

Get a curtain that is too small/narrow and it looks like a mistake. Get the right sized curtain for your space and you’ll elevate your room.

Here’s an example from my own home. In the photo on the left, the curtains look too wimpy for the window vs the image on the right where the curtain is more substantial. There’s a 2 part formula to make sure you get the curtain that makes your space look warm and cozy. Click here to skip right to the calculator.

Part 1 – How Long Should A Curtain Be?

The thing I realized after buying and making countless sets of drapes is that curtain rods are easier to move up and down than curtains are to hem. Standard curtain lengths are 72 inches, 84 inches, 96 inches and 108 inches.

These are the questions you need to answer before you choose the right length for you:

• What is the distance from the top of your window to the floor?
• How high are your ceilings?
• Do you want curtains to barely touch the ground or pool on the ground?

Hanging your curtains HIGHER than you window sill makes you window look larger. Nothing looks worse than curtains that are too short. If your ceilings are 8 feet (96 inches), you will probably want to stick with 84 inch curtains.

Measure 4-6 inches above the window frame to the floor. This is the ideal height for rod which gives you the length for a curtain.

You will probably find this exact length is NOT a standard size. From there, adjust the curtain rod height to get to a length that IS available (you can see my favorite sources for drapes here). Add an extra 1-2 inches if you want the curtains to pool at the bottom.

Part 2 – How Wide Should A Curtain Be?

The rule of thumb is that your curtains should be 2 to 2.5 times as wide as your window. If you never plan to close the drapes, some would say 1.5 times is wide enough. This measurement works for a single panel if you want curtains only on one side of your window, or divide it by two for curtains on both sides.

It can be tempting to settle for 1.5 times as wide as the window. Curtains are expensive and a 50 inch panel is much cheaper than a 100 inch panel. But the extra fabric adds a real feeling of luxury. I regret skimping in my bedroom thinking that I could always get new curtains. It’s been several years. Don’t skimp unless you don’t plan to use the curtains for very long.

It’s ALWAYS better to err on the side of too wide. The patterned curtain above is 1.5x the width of the window. The windows is 30 inches and the curtain is 45 inches. The curtain on the right is 2x as wide as the window.

Standard Curtain Size Calculator

If you don’t want to read, you just want the size here’s the table for you. This guide is for floor-length curtains. If you have two windows next to each other, count the width of both together.

* some manufacturers make 50-inch standard panels, some 52-inch and some 54-inch. Etsy and Pottery Barn sell 100 inch panels

How Many Panels Do I Need?

If you want one panel on each side of the window, you can use the table above. If you have a window in a corner, or you just want a curtain on one side, you can put all of the width on one side of the window.

If that’s the look you want, it’s still best to get a curtain panel that is wider than the window by 1.5x. Here’s an example of that look with the Pottery Barn Drapes.

What Size Curtains Do I Need For TWO Windows ?

If you have two windows together, simply add the widths before applying the 2x rule. For example, two 30-inch windows are 60 inches wide. You would ideally want 120 inches of drapery.

Wait! Curtains don’t come in 120 inch widths (or even 60 if you are using a panel on each side). If you need 120 inches of fabric, ask yourself this question. Is this a room where I want a cozy feeling? More fabric makes a room feel more cozy and comfortable.

Curtain width calculator: If it’s a bedroom, aim for at least 2x. If it’s a dining room or a kitchen, just under 2x is OK. It’s better to have 3x the width of your window than 1.5x if you want a cozy, warm look. To get this, purchase multiple panels and hang them together. You can get a 100 inch panel and 50 inch panel (in the example where I want 120 inches).

Buying curtains is probably not something you are going to do every year. Take the time to be sure the curtains you buy will stand the test of time. I’ve definitely learned from my mistakes in this area.

If you liked this post you might be interested in this curtain size chart or how wide should my curtains be for a 36 inch window.

How wide should curtains be for 72-inch window?

I received so many questions with individual size questions that I wanted to add the most frequent size as an example. If you have a 72-inch window, you would ideally want 108 to 144 inches of fabric. This is not a standard drapery width.

I’ve found that I like the look of a more full drape vs less full. I would get two 100-inch panels if it is a bedroom or living room. One panel for each side. I would hang them above the window and outside the window frame to make the window look even bigger. Two 50-inch panels would look a little bit skimpy because it’s less than 1.5 times the total width of the window.

You can search for “extra wide curtains”. You will find sellers on Etsy that make a 75-inch width curtain. Two of these would also work, especially in an area like a dining room or kitchen. These are less common.

How wide would curtains be for a 120-inch window?

When your windows get to be this wide, you will need to opt for the widest drapes available. The best choice would be to get two 100-inch panels.

The length depends on your ceiling height. The standard lengths are 84 inches, 96 inches and 108 inches. Get the one that is the longest, but fits within your ceiling height.

These extra wide panels are not available everywhere, but a good place to start is to search specifically for 100-inch curtains or “extra wide”. They are available on Amazon, Pottery Barn and Target, but there is less selection. Etsy has a good selection if you want to have a custom fabric.