Curtain Rod Sizes: Length, Diameter and Bracket Charts
The adjustable length ranges and diameters curtain rods are sold in, which size suits your window and curtains, and how many brackets a rod needs and where they go.
Curtain rods are sold in adjustable length ranges, most often 28 to 48 in, 36 to 72 in, 48 to 84 in, 66 to 120 in and 120 to 170 in (71 to 432 cm overall). Common diameters are 5/8 in, 3/4 in, 1 in, 1 1/8 in and 1 3/8 in (16 to 35 mm). Choose a rod 6 to 12 in longer than the window frame and mount it 4 to 6 in above it.
- Rod length
- Frame + 6 to 12 in
- Common diameter
- 3/4 to 1 in
- Longest standard
- About 170 in
- Height
- 4 to 6 in above
On this page
Curtain rod length chart
Most ready-made rods telescope: a thinner tube slides inside a thicker one, so each rod covers a range of lengths. The figures are the rod length between the ends, not counting the finials, which add about 1 1/2 to 4 in at each end.
| Rod length (in) | Rod length (cm) | Fits a window frame about | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18 to 36 | 46 to 91 | 8 to 24 in wide | Café curtains, small bathroom windows, sidelights |
| 28 to 48 | 71 to 122 | 16 to 36 in wide | Narrow windows |
| 36 to 72 | 91 to 183 | 24 to 60 in wide | Most bedroom and living room windows |
| 48 to 84 | 122 to 213 | 36 to 72 in wide | Wide windows, 6 ft patio doors |
| 66 to 120 | 168 to 305 | 54 to 108 in wide | Picture windows, 8 ft sliding doors |
| 72 to 144 | 183 to 366 | 60 to 132 in wide | Large windows, window walls |
| 120 to 170 | 305 to 432 | 108 to 158 in wide | The longest standard telescoping rods |
The "fits a window" column assumes the rod extends 6 in past the frame on each side. Ranges differ a little between brands (36 to 66 in and 48 to 86 in are also common), so check the label.
A telescoping rod is weakest near full extension, where only the thin inner tube spans the middle. Choose a range where your length falls in the lower or middle part: for an 80 in rod, a 66 to 120 in rod sags less than a 48 to 84 in rod pulled almost to its limit, provided you add a center bracket.
For spans longer than about 170 in (14 ft), use a custom-cut rod or a pole joined with connectors over a bracket, or a ceiling-mounted track, which can be made to any length.
Curtain rod diameter chart
Diameter decides how much weight a rod carries without bowing between brackets, and which rings, grommets and finials fit it.
| Diameter (in) | Diameter (mm) | Metric pole size | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3/8 (flat or round sash rod) | 9.5 | 10 mm | Sash curtains on doors, very light sheers |
| 1/2 | 12.7 | 12 to 13 mm | Café rods, small tension rods |
| 5/8 | 15.9 | 16 mm | Sheers, voiles, light unlined panels |
| 3/4 | 19.1 | 19 mm | Standard unlined panels on windows up to about 72 in |
| 1 | 25.4 | 25 mm | Lined and blackout panels; the common decorative rod |
| 1 1/8 | 28.6 | 28 mm | Heavy panels, wider windows |
| 1 1/4 | 31.8 | 32 mm | Heavy drapes, long spans |
| 1 3/8 | 34.9 | 35 mm | Velvet, interlined and pinch-pleated drapes |
| 1 1/2 to 2 | 38.1 to 50.8 | 40 to 50 mm | Wood poles, tall windows, large rooms |
On a telescoping rod, the stated diameter is usually the outer tube; the inner tube is about 1/8 in smaller. Brackets, rings and finials are made for specific diameters, so a 1 in finial will not fit a 1 1/8 in rod.
Rods for grommet and rod-pocket curtains
- Grommet panels: grommets are commonly about 1 1/2 to 1 5/8 in (38 to 41 mm) across inside, which slides easily over rods up to about 1 1/4 in.
- Rod-pocket panels: a 3 in pocket fits rods up to about 1 1/8 to 1 3/8 in. Some sheers have 1 1/2 to 2 in pockets that only fit rods of about 5/8 to 3/4 in.
- Rings: choose rings with an inside diameter at least 1/2 in larger than the rod so they slide freely; for a 1 in rod, about 1 1/2 in rings.
How long should a curtain rod be?
Measure the window frame, including the trim, then add the overhang on each side.
- Minimum: frame width plus 3 in each side. The curtains cover the trim edges, but stacked panels will cover part of the glass when open.
- Standard: frame width plus 6 in each side (12 in in total). This is the usual choice.
- Full light: frame width plus 10 to 15 in each side, so the open curtains stack against the wall instead of the glass. Heavy lined panels need the most stack space.
- Check the corners. Leave room for the bracket and finial: about 4 to 6 in from the rod end to an adjacent wall or cabinet.
| Window frame | Rod length | Rod to buy |
|---|---|---|
| 24 in (61 cm) | 36 in (91 cm) | 28 to 48 in |
| 28 in (71 cm) | 40 in (102 cm) | 28 to 48 in |
| 36 in (91 cm) | 48 in (122 cm) | 28 to 48 or 36 to 72 in |
| 48 in (122 cm) | 60 in (152 cm) | 36 to 72 in |
| 60 in (152 cm) | 72 in (183 cm) | 48 to 84 in |
| 72 in (183 cm) | 84 in (213 cm) | 66 to 120 in, or 48 to 84 in at full stretch |
| 96 in (244 cm) | 108 in (274 cm) | 66 to 120 in |
Curtain rod height
Mount the rod 4 to 6 in above the top of the frame as a minimum. Raising it halfway between the frame and the ceiling, or to 1 to 2 in below a crown molding, makes the window look taller, but it changes the curtain length you need. In an 8 ft room with 80 in window heads, a rod 4 to 6 in above the frame takes 84 in panels, and a rod near the ceiling takes 95 or 96 in panels. Our curtain sizes guide has the full length chart.
Bracket sizes and spacing
Brackets are sized by the rod diameter they hold and by their projection (also called return or clearance): the distance from the wall to the center of the rod.
| Bracket | Projection from wall | Use it when |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | About 3 to 4 1/2 in (8 to 11 cm) | Flat trim, curtains only |
| Adjustable | About 3 to 5 1/2 in | Fine-tuning around deep trim or sills |
| Double rod | About 3 1/2 in (inner) and 5 1/2 to 6 in (outer) | Sheers behind drapes |
| Extended or deep | About 6 to 8 in or more | Clearing blinds, shutters, radiators or deep sills |
Projection must clear everything behind the curtain: window trim (usually 3/4 to 1 in deep), inside or outside-mounted blinds, window cranks and handles. If you have blinds mounted on the trim, add their depth plus an inch.
How many brackets a rod needs
| Rod length | Brackets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Up to about 48 in (122 cm) | 2 | End brackets only |
| About 48 to 86 in (122 to 218 cm) | 3 | Add a center support |
| About 86 to 120 in (218 to 305 cm) | 3 to 4 | 4 for heavy lined or blackout drapes |
| About 120 to 170 in (305 to 432 cm) | 4 to 5 | Keep supports no more than about 3 to 4 ft apart |
Most rod makers include the brackets their rod needs and state a maximum spacing; follow it if it differs from the table. Place end brackets 2 to 4 in outside the frame, or about 2 to 3 in in from the rod ends so the finials and the end ring sit outside them. Screw brackets into studs or the header above the window where possible; in drywall alone, use anchors rated for the load, since a fully drawn lined drape adds a sideways pull.
Standard rings cannot slide past a center bracket. Use open C-rings, a pass-through bracket, or two curtains that each stay on their own side of the support.
Types of curtain rod and their sizes
- Decorative rods: 5/8 to 1 3/8 in, with finials, for rod-pocket, grommet, tab or ring-top curtains.
- Traverse rods: flat tracks with sliding carriers for pinch-pleat drapes, opened by a cord or wand. Sold in adjustable lengths similar to standard rods and rated by drape weight.
- Tension rods: spring-loaded rods held between the jambs of a window or alcove, from about 16 to 28 in up to about 48 to 84 in. They hold only light curtains, and wider ones bow; choose a larger diameter for longer spans.
- Sash and café rods: 3/8 to 5/8 in, from about 11 to 48 in long, often mounted top and bottom on door glass.
- Wraparound (blackout) rods: curved ends return to the wall to block side light, with a projection of about 3 1/2 in.
- Bay and corner rods: straight sections joined by adjustable elbows; measure each wall section separately.
- Ceiling tracks: surface-mounted or recessed into a pocket in the ceiling, cut to any length for wide windows and room dividers.
For door openings, a standard 36 in front door needs a rod of about 48 in; see door sizes. For window dimensions, see standard window sizes, and shower curtain sizes for shower rods.
Frequently asked questions
What size curtain rod do I need for a 2.5 m span?
A 2.5 m (98 in) window needs a rod of about 110 to 118 in (2.8 to 3.0 m) once you add 6 to 10 in each side. A 66 to 120 in rod covers it near its top end; a 72 to 144 in rod in a 1 in or thicker diameter, with one or two center supports, will sag less.
What size curtain rod for a sliding glass door?
A 6 ft (72 in) sliding door frame takes a rod of about 84 to 96 in, so a 48 to 84 in or 66 to 120 in rod. An 8 ft (96 in) door needs about 108 to 120 in, so a 66 to 120 in or 72 to 144 in rod. Extend the rod far enough that stacked curtains clear the opening panel.
What is the smallest curtain rod size?
Café, sash and tension rods start at about 11 to 18 in, for door glass, small bathroom windows and narrow sidelights. The shortest decorative rods usually adjust from about 18 to 36 in or 28 to 48 in.
What diameter curtain rod for 96 in or 90 in pinch-pleated drapes?
Length alone does not decide it; weight and span do. Unlined 96 in panels hang well from a 3/4 to 1 in rod. Lined, blackout or pinch-pleated drapes of 90 to 96 in usually call for a 1 to 1 3/8 in rod with rings, or a traverse rod rated for the weight, with center supports on spans over about 4 ft.
How many brackets does a 120 inch curtain rod need?
Usually three: one at each end and one in the center, and four for heavy lined or blackout drapes so that no unsupported section is more than about 3 to 4 ft. Use a center bracket that lets rings pass, or a C-ring, if the curtains need to slide past it.
What is the standard diameter for a round curtain rod?
There is no single standard, but most decorative rods sold for home windows are 3/4 in (19 mm) or 1 in (25 mm). Thin 5/8 in (16 mm) rods are for sheers and café curtains; 1 1/8 to 1 3/8 in (28 to 35 mm) rods are for heavy drapes and wide windows.