How to measure up for curtains

Curtains are a big investment, and so it's important to make sure you get your measurements right before you order. Follow our step-by-step guide to measuring up for curtains, with advice from the experts at the Natural Curtain Company .

To avoid mistakes, your curtain pole or track should be in place already. If you make calculations without a pole or track, you are more likely to get incorrect measurements. We advise you to use a metal tape measure for accuracy. Measurements should be in cm to the nearest 1/2 cm.

Make sure you double-check your measurements!

Measuring width If you have a pole, measure the distance between the finials (the decorative baubles at the end of a pole).

If you have a track, measure the total length of the track. Measuring curtain drop Before you start, decide where you want your curtains to finish. For floor-length curtains, we suggest curtains 1.5cm longer than floor-length. If your floors are uneven, make sure you measure each side of the window and choose the longest measurement.

For sill-length curtains, we suggest either 15cm below the sill or 1-2cm above it. Measuring drop for tab-top and eyelet For tab-top or eyelet curtains, measure the drop from the top of your pole to where you want your curtain to finish.

Tab-top and eyelet headed curtains cannot be fitted to a track.

Measuring curtain drop for pleated headings (all except tab-top and eyelet) The total drop for pleated headings is measured in two parts – the eye drop and the heading height.

Measuring Eye Drop

This is the distance from the eye (where the curtain hook attaches) to where you want your curtain to finish. Measuring heading height The heading height is the distance from the eye to where you want the top of your curtain to be.

For tracks, we suggest a heading height just above the top of your track so that it is not visible above the top of the curtain.

For poles, we suggest a heading height from 2cm above the eye to just above your curtain pole according to your own taste. Curtains will hang best with a smaller heading height.