Curtain Sizes: Standard Panel Widths and Lengths, and How to Choose
The widths and lengths ready-made curtains are sold in, in inches and centimeters, how many panels a window needs, and how to pick the right length for your ceiling and rod height.
Ready-made curtain panels are usually 40 to 54 in wide (102 to 137 cm) and come in standard lengths of 63, 84, 95 or 96, 108 and 120 in (160, 213, 241 or 244, 274 and 305 cm). For a full look, the combined width of the panels should be about 2 times the rod width; an 84 in panel reaches the floor from a rod about 84 in high.
- Panel width
- 40 to 54 in
- Most common length
- 84 or 95/96 in
- Fullness
- 2 × rod width
- Rod above frame
- 4 to 6 in
On this page
Standard curtain lengths chart
Ready-made curtains come in a handful of lengths. Each one suits a particular rod height, and the right one depends on where the rod goes, not on the size of the window.
| Length (in) | Length (cm) | Where it ends | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 45 | 114 | Sill or just below | Kitchens, small windows, kids' rooms |
| 63 | 160 | Below the sill (apron length) | Windows over radiators, furniture or counters |
| 84 | 213 | Floor, with the rod at about 84 to 85 in | 8 ft ceilings, rod just above the frame |
| 95 or 96 | 241 or 244 | Floor, with the rod at about 95 to 96 in | 8 ft ceilings with the rod near the ceiling; 9 ft ceilings |
| 108 | 274 | Floor, with the rod at about 108 in | 9 to 10 ft ceilings |
| 120 | 305 | Floor, with the rod at about 120 in | 10 ft ceilings and taller rooms |
The "rod at" figures assume the panel top sits at the top of the rod, which is roughly true for rod-pocket and grommet panels. With clip rings or pinch-pleat hooks, the panel hangs from below the rod, so the rod goes 1 to 2 in higher for the same hem position.
Standard curtain widths
| Width (in) | Width (cm) | Typical panel | Covers a rod of, at 2× fullness (two panels) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 to 42 | 102 to 107 | Grommet and tab-top panels, sheers | About 40 to 42 in |
| 50 to 54 | 127 to 137 | Most rod-pocket, grommet and blackout panels | About 50 to 54 in |
| 56 to 60 | 142 to 152 | Wider designer and linen panels | About 56 to 60 in |
| 100 to 108 | 254 to 274 | Extra-wide or "double-wide" panels | About 100 to 108 in |
Fabric for curtains is woven about 54 in wide, which is why 50 to 54 in is the standard panel: one fabric width with side hems. Extra-wide panels are two widths sewn together.
How many panels a window needs
Curtains look full when the total flat width of all the panels is greater than the rod. That ratio is called fullness.
- 1.5×: minimum; curtains look flat when closed. Acceptable for grommet panels, which fold into deep waves on their own.
- 2×: standard for most curtains and drapes.
- 2.5 to 3×: sheers and voiles, which look thin without extra gathering.
Start with the rod length, which is the window frame width plus 3 to 6 in on each side (more if you want the curtains to stack clear of the glass). Multiply by the fullness and divide by the panel width.
| Window width | Rod length | Fabric needed | Panels |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24 in (61 cm) | 36 in | 72 in | 2 × 40 in |
| 36 in (91 cm) | 48 in | 96 in | 2 × 50 to 54 in |
| 48 in (122 cm) | 60 in | 120 in | 2 × 54 in (1.8×) or 3 × 40 to 42 in |
| 60 in (152 cm) | 72 in | 144 in | 3 × 50 to 54 in |
| 72 in (183 cm) | 84 in | 168 in | 4 × 42 in or 3 × 54 in (1.9×) |
| 96 in sliding door (244 cm) | 116 in (10 in each side) | 232 in | 4 × 54 to 60 in, or 2 × 108 in |
To work out the coverage of a set you already own, add the panel widths and divide by the fullness: two 52 in panels (104 in) cover a 52 in rod at 2× or a 69 in rod at 1.5×.
A single panel that draws to one side needs the same total fabric as a pair: 2 times the rod width for a full look. A narrow window with a 36 in rod needs one 72 in panel, or two standard panels hung together on one side.
How long should curtains be?
Pick a hem position first, then measure from the rod (or ring bottom) to that point.
| Style | Hem position | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Sill | 1/2 in above the window sill | Neat; suits kitchens and windows above furniture |
| Apron | About 4 in below the sill | Covers the trim below the window |
| Floor | About 1/2 in above the floor | Tailored and easy to clean; the default |
| Break | 1 to 2 in longer than the floor | Fabric rests lightly on the floor |
| Puddle | 6 to 8 in longer than the floor | Formal; collects dust; poor for doors |
Curtains that stop a few inches above the floor look like a mistake. If a window is long enough to want floor-length curtains, go to the floor.
Matching curtain length to ceiling height
In US houses with 8 ft ceilings, window tops are usually about 80 in above the floor. Mounting the rod 4 to 6 in above the frame puts it at 84 to 86 in, which is why 84 in panels are the default. Mounting it near the ceiling makes the window look taller and calls for 95 or 96 in panels.
| Ceiling | Rod placement | Rod height | Floor-length panel |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 ft (244 cm) | 4 to 6 in above an 80 in frame | 84 to 86 in | 84 in (213 cm) |
| 8 ft (244 cm) | Near the ceiling | About 95 in | 95 or 96 in (241 to 244 cm) |
| 9 ft (274 cm) | Above a 96 in frame, or halfway up | 96 to 100 in | 96 in, or 108 in hemmed |
| 10 ft (305 cm) | High on the wall | 108 to 118 in | 108 or 120 in (274 or 305 cm) |
Measuring for ready-made curtains
- Fix the rod position first. Mark the rod height (4 to 6 in above the frame, or higher) and how far it extends past the frame on each side (3 to 6 in, up to 10 in or more for wide stackback). Our curtain rod size guide covers rod lengths, diameters and brackets.
- Measure the rod width between the brackets, ignoring finials. Multiply by your fullness (2× for most curtains) to get the total panel width.
- Measure the drop from the top of the rod (or the bottom of the rings) to the hem position at both ends of the window. Floors are rarely level; use the shorter measurement for floor length.
- Round to a stock length. If your drop falls between sizes, buy the next length up and hem it, or raise the rod slightly. Cotton and linen can shrink when washed, so check the care label before hemming.
Header styles and how they hang
The header changes both the length and the rod that will work.
- Rod pocket: a sewn channel, typically about 3 in deep, that slides onto the rod. Fits rods up to roughly 1 1/8 to 1 3/8 in in diameter, depending on the pocket. Hard to open and close often.
- Grommet (eyelet): metal rings set in the fabric, commonly about 1 1/2 to 1 5/8 in (38 to 41 mm) inside diameter, so they fit rods up to about 1 1/4 in. The panel top stands about 1 in above the rod.
- Back tab and tab top: loops of fabric on the back or top. Tab tops add their loop length (about 2 to 3 in) above the panel.
- Pinch pleat: stiff pleats with hooks that clip to rings or a traverse rod. Usually sold by finished width rather than flat width, since the fullness is built in.
Curtain sizes in the UK and Europe
UK ready-made curtains are sold in pairs, with sizes in inches: widths of 46, 66, 90 and 117 in per curtain, and drops of 54, 72 and 90 in. In metric terms that is 117, 168, 229 and 297 cm wide, and 137, 183 and 229 cm long. Widths are usually quoted as the flat (ungathered) width of each curtain; for eyelet and pencil-pleat pairs, choose a size whose single-curtain width is at least the track or pole width.
| Size | In inches | Sold as |
|---|---|---|
| 140 × 245 cm | 55 × 96 in | Single panel, common in continental Europe |
| 140 × 260 cm | 55 × 102 in | Single panel, for higher ceilings |
| 145 × 250 cm | 57 × 98 in | Each panel of a pair (IKEA standard) |
| 145 × 300 cm | 57 × 118 in | Each panel of a pair (IKEA long), to cut down |
Other curtain types
- Café curtains and tiers: 24, 30 and 36 in long, covering the lower half of a window.
- Valances: roughly 14 to 18 in long, sized by rod width like panels.
- Shower curtains: 72 × 72 in (183 × 183 cm) standard, 72 × 84 in extra long, 54 × 78 in for stall showers; see shower curtain sizes.
- Doorway curtains: a standard 36 × 80 in door takes a 48 to 54 in wide panel about 84 in long; see door sizes.
Prefer something that sits inside the frame? See blind sizes, and window sizes for standard openings.
Frequently asked questions
Is a curtain's size for one panel or the pair?
In the US, the size on the package (for example 52 × 84 in) is almost always for one panel, even when the pack holds two. UK ready-made curtains are sold in pairs, and the width given is usually for each curtain. Check the label for "per panel" or "each" before you buy.
What size curtains do I need for a 54 inch wide window?
With the rod extended 6 in past the frame on each side, the rod is 66 in. At 2 times fullness you need about 132 in of fabric: three 50 or 52 in panels, or two 54 in panels if you accept a flatter look (about 1.6 times). For length, measure from the rod to where you want the hem.
What size ready-made curtains fit a window 48 in tall and 64 in wide?
Width: a 76 in rod (6 in beyond each side) needs about 152 in of fabric at 2 times fullness, so three 52 or 54 in panels. Length: with the rod 4 in above the frame, a curtain to 4 in below the sill is 56 in, so 63 in panels hemmed up, or 84 to 95 in panels if the curtains go to the floor.
How wide should a single curtain panel be?
A single panel pulled to one side should be at least 1.5 times, and ideally 2 times, the rod width. For a 40 in rod, that means one panel 60 to 80 in wide; extra-wide panels of about 100 to 108 in are sold for this.
What is the biggest ready-made curtain size?
Standard ready-made panels go up to about 120 in (305 cm) long, and extra-wide panels up to about 100 to 108 in (254 to 274 cm) wide. Taller or wider windows need custom curtains or several panels per side.
What is a normal curtain size for a bedroom?
A typical US bedroom window of about 36 to 48 in wide takes two 50 to 54 in panels, 84 in long on an 8 ft ceiling or 95 to 96 in if the rod is mounted near the ceiling. Blackout panels are the same sizes.