Curtain Calculator
Estimate curtain width, fullness, panel dimensions and finished drop from your fitted pole or track.
Typical use: Curtain pairs, single panels, fabric fullness planning, poles and tracks
Using this calculator
Open the interactive calculator to enter your project measurements and adjust the available settings. Review the calculated quantity and buying units before ordering materials. Check product coverage, pack sizes and installation guidance with the manufacturer or supplier.
Planning and practical guidance
How to Measure for Curtains: Width, Drop, Fullness & Pattern Repeat
Measure curtains from the pole or track, choose the finished drop and understand fullness, fabric width and pattern repeat before buying fabric or ready-made curtains.
- Fit or decide the position of the curtain pole or track before taking the final curtain width measurement. Curtain width is normally based on the usable track or pole width, not just the glass or recess width.
- If positioning a new pole or track, allow enough projection either side of the window for coverage and for the curtains to stack back. Retail guidance commonly adds several centimetres each side, but brackets, finials and wall conditions affect the final position.
- Measure the usable pole width between finials, or the relevant track length, and record the heading style you intend to use.
- Choose the finished drop deliberately: sill length, below-sill or floor length all need different measurements and clearances.
Curtain Headings, Poles & Tracks Explained
Compare common curtain headings and understand how eyelets, pencil pleats, pinch pleats and wave-style curtains affect fullness, hardware and measuring.
- Choose the hanging system before finalising curtain measurements. A decorative pole, conventional track and wave-compatible track each present the curtain differently and can need different heading hardware.
- Eyelet curtains run directly on a compatible pole, so pole diameter, finials, bracket positions and the distance from the top of the eyelet to the curtain edge affect the finished drop.
- Pencil-pleat tape is adjustable and can normally be used with hooks on a track or rings on a pole. The heading is gathered to the required width rather than supplied as a fixed pleat pattern.
- Pinch-pleat and similar tailored headings use structured pleats and are normally made to a more specific finished width. Use the maker’s fullness and hook/hardware guidance rather than treating them like adjustable pencil pleats.