Measure a window for curtains

Measure your window's width, drop and mounting position accurately before buying curtains, poles or tracks.

MW-01Gather your toolsUse a metal tape measure, not a fabric one — fabric tapes stretch and give you the wrong numbers. Grab a pencil and notepad, or use your phone's notes app, to record figures as you go. If the window is above head height, get a sturdy step ladder so you can reach the top of the frame safely.

1 each · Metal tape measure (5m)

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1 each · Pencil

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1 each · Notepad

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1 each · Step ladder (if needed)

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MW-02Decide where the pole or track will sitMost curtains look best when the pole or track sits 100-150mm above the top of the window frame, and extends 150-200mm beyond each side. This lets curtains open fully without blocking light and stops them looking cramped. Note the height and width you want before you start measuring properly.

MW-03Measure the widthMeasure the window frame itself, left edge to right edge, at its widest point. Add 150-200mm on each side for the pole or track overhang, so curtains can be pulled fully clear of the glass. Write down this total — it's the length of pole or track you need to buy.

MW-04Measure the dropMeasure from where the pole or track will sit down to your chosen finish point: sill length (stops at the windowsill, add 10-15mm), below sill (150mm past the sill), or floor length (10-15mm above floor, or just touching). Measure at both the left and right side, since floors and walls are rarely level. Use the shorter measurement so the curtains never drag on the floor.

MW-05Check for obstaclesLook for radiators, skirting boards or windowsills that stick out further than the wall, and adjust your pole position if curtains would hang against them. Check above the window too — coving, a light fitting, or a recess can get in the way of your fixing points. If the window sits in a bay or recess, measure each section separately, as they're often not identical.

MW-06Allow for the heading styleDifferent curtain headings need different amounts of fabric width. Pencil pleat and pinch pleat headings typically need 2 to 2.5 times the pole width in fabric; eyelet headings need about 1.5 to 2 times the pole width. Check the exact ratio recommended by your curtain or fabric supplier before ordering, as it changes how full the curtains look when closed.

MW-07Double-check and record your final numbersMeasure the width and drop a second time to catch mistakes — a small error here means curtains that don't fit. Write the final width, drop and heading type clearly, ready to take to the shop or use when ordering online. Keep the pole/track measurement separate from the fabric measurement, since they are different numbers.

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