HowMuchIt / Curtains
How wide and long should my curtains be?
Curtains are measured from the rod, not the window: the rod runs a few inches past the frame, and the curtains are about twice its width so they hang in soft folds. The calculator gives the rod, the width per panel and the length.
Work out your curtains
Rod: at least 3 to 5 in past the frame on each side, about 6 in above it. Curtain width: about 2 times the rod width (guides range 1.5 to 3).
Width
Extend the rod at least 3 to 5 inches past the window frame on each side, so open curtains clear the glass. For flat, gathered curtains, the total curtain width should be about 2 times the rod width; guides range from 1.5 for a flatter look to 3 for a very full one. Split that total by the number of panels.
Length
Mount the rod about 6 inches above the frame. Measure straight down from the rod, or from the bottom of the rings, to where the curtain should end. A floating length stops about an inch above the floor; a kissing length just touches it; a puddle adds extra fabric that rests on the floor, 2 to 3 inches for one maker.
Questions people ask
How wide should curtains be for a 48 inch window?
A rod of about 54 to 58 inches, so about 108 to 116 inches of curtain in all: two panels of 54 to 58.
How long should curtains be?
From the rod to the floor, minus an inch to float, exact to kiss, plus 2 to 3 to puddle.
Good to know
- For flat (gathered) curtains, the total curtain width should be about 2 times the window or rod width; guides range from 1.5 to 3 times.1,2
- Extend the rod at least 3 to 5 in past the window frame on each side so open curtains clear the glass.1,2
- Mount the rod above the window frame; about 6 in is the height both guides share (one says 4 to 6 in, the other 6 to 12 in).1,2
- Measure the length from the rod (or the rod pocket or ring bottom) straight down to where the curtain should end.1,2
- A floating length stops just above the floor, about 1 in or less.1,2
- A kissing length just touches the floor.1,2
- A puddle (pooled) length adds extra fabric that rests on the floor; one maker says 2 to 3 in.1,2
How we checked this page
Checked on October 27, 2026. We kept a fact only when two independent publishers agree, and each one is numbered to its sources below. Where sources give different numbers, we keep only what they share. We never write a price. This page was written with an AI assistant and checked against the sources below.
Sources
- Measuring Guide: Curtains & Roman Shades (PDF), Half Price Drapes
- How to Measure for Curtains, Overstock