Australia
How to Measure for Curtains: A Simple Guide in mm for Australian Homes
How to measure for curtains in millimetres: rod width, drop, fullness and panel numbers, with worked examples for Australian windows and sliding doors.
On this page
Updated October 2026 · By Sam K, Fabrica Kraft
Quick answer: Measure the width of your curtain rod between the finials, in millimetres, then order about twice that width in total curtain fabric. For the drop, measure from the top of the rod to where you want the curtain to finish: the floor for most rooms, or about 10 mm above it if you want the hem to clear. Measure the drop at both ends of the window and use the shorter number.
Getting curtain measurements wrong is the most common reason people end up with curtains that look skimpy, stop short of the floor, or won't close in the middle. The good news is that it only takes a tape measure, ten minutes and a few simple rules. This guide walks you through each step in mm, with examples for typical Australian windows and sliding doors.
What you'll need
- A metal tape measure (cloth ones stretch)
- A step ladder
- A pen and paper, or your phone's notes app
- Someone to hold the other end on wide windows
Always measure in millimetres. It's more precise than centimetres, and it's how we make your curtains.
Step 1: Install the rod first (or decide exactly where it goes)
Curtains hang from the rod, so the rod position sets every measurement. If it isn't up yet, mark where it will go. Designers use two simple rules:
- Height: mount the rod 100 to 150 mm above the top of the window frame. This makes the window and ceiling look taller.
- Width: extend the rod 150 to 250 mm past the frame on each side. When the curtains are open, they then sit against the wall instead of covering the glass, so you keep all your light and views.
For floor-to-ceiling aluminium sliding doors, which are common in Australian homes, mount the rod as close to the ceiling or cornice as you can, and extend it well past the door frame so the curtains clear the opening completely.
Step 2: Measure the width
Measure the length of the rod itself, between the finials (the decorative ends). Don't measure the window. Write this number down as your rod width.
Now work out how much curtain fabric you need in total. This is called fullness:
| Fullness | Total fabric width | The look |
|---|---|---|
| 1.5× | Rod width × 1.5 | Flatter, more modern; fine for tab tops |
| 2× (our standard) | Rod width × 2 | Soft, even folds; suits almost every room |
| 2.5× to 3× | Rod width × 2.5 to 3 | Extra soft and full; best for sheers |
If you order curtains that are only the same width as the rod, they'll look flat and stretched when closed, and you may see gaps at the edges.
Step 3: Measure the drop
The drop is the length of the curtain. Measure from the top of the rod down to where you want the hem to finish. Then adjust for the look you want:
- Just touching the floor: use the measurement as is. This is the most popular, tailored look.
- Clearing the floor: take off about 10 mm. Good for high-traffic rooms, pets and robot vacuums.
- Slight puddle: add 50 to 100 mm for a soft, relaxed pool of fabric. Best with heavier fabrics like velvet.
- Sill length: measure to just below the sill. Use this in kitchens, bathrooms, or above benches.
- Rod pocket curtains: add about 25 mm so the pocket sits over the rod.
- Outdoor curtains: take off about 25 mm so the hem stays out of puddles on the deck or alfresco floor.
Measure at both ends and in the middle. Floors and ceilings are rarely perfectly level, especially in older Queenslanders and Federation homes. Use the shortest number so the curtain doesn't drag at one end.
Step 4: Work out how many panels you need
Divide your total fabric width into panels. Most windows suit a pair of panels that meet in the middle. A narrow window, or a door that you open to one side, can use a single panel.
Worked example 1, bedroom window: the rod is 1,800 mm. At 2× fullness, you need 3,600 mm of fabric in total, so two panels of 1,800 mm each.
Worked example 2, sliding door: the rod is 3,000 mm. At 2× fullness, you need 6,000 mm of fabric. That could be two panels of 3,000 mm each, or four panels of 1,500 mm if you'd like the curtains to open from several points.
Our curtain size calculator does this maths for you. Prices on our curtain pages are shown per panel, in AUD.
Wide and tall windows
Panels can be made up to 3,050 mm wide and 3,660 mm drop. Most fabrics are narrower than that, so wide panels have a neat centre seam. The exception is our double-width Warwick sheers (Antigua, Patio, Syros and Taormina), which are about 3,200 mm wide, so even very wide sheer panels have no join. See extra-wide curtains, extra-long curtains and sliding door curtains.
Choosing a heading
The heading is how the top of the curtain attaches to the rod, and it changes the look:
- Tab top and back tab: relaxed, slide easily, show the rod.
- Rod pocket: the rod runs through a sewn channel; gathered and simple, best for curtains you don't open often.
- Pinch pleat: crisp, tailored pleats for living and dining rooms. See pinch pleat curtains.
Our curtains are made to hang from a curtain rod. If your home has a ceiling track, get in touch before ordering and we'll tell you honestly whether our headings suit it.
Common measuring mistakes
| Mistake | What happens | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Measuring the window, not the rod | Curtains too narrow to close | Measure the rod between finials |
| Ordering 1× fullness | Flat, see-through look | Order 2× the rod width |
| Measuring the drop once | Hem drags or floats at one end | Measure at both ends and the middle; use the shortest |
| Measuring in cm and rounding | Small errors add up | Measure in mm |
| Blockout lining on sheers | Defeats the point of a sheer | Layer a sheer behind a lined curtain instead |
Layering sheers and blockout curtains
Many Australian bedrooms and living rooms use two layers: a sheer for soft daylight and privacy, and a lined curtain in front for darkness and heat control. You'll need a double rod or two rods. Measure each layer separately. The sheer sits closest to the glass, so its rod is usually a little shorter. Browse sheer curtains and blockout curtains.
Ready to order?
Start with our made-to-measure curtains, or outdoor curtains for alfresco areas and pergolas. Not sure about a colour? Order swatches and hold them up at the window at different times of day. Curtains are made in 2 to 3 weeks, and shipping is free anywhere in Australia.
Frequently asked questions
Should I measure the window or the curtain rod?
The rod. The curtains hang from it, so its width decides how much fabric you need.
How much wider than the window should curtains be?
The rod should extend 150 to 250 mm past the window on each side, and the curtain fabric should be about twice the rod width in total.
How much fabric do I need for curtains?
Multiply the rod width by the fullness you want: about 2× for most curtains and 2.5× to 3× for sheers. When you order made-to-measure curtains, you just choose the panel width and drop; you don't need to work out metres of fabric.
How wide should sheer curtains be?
Sheers look best fuller than other curtains, at about 2.5 to 3 times the rod width in total.
How long should curtains be?
For most living rooms and bedrooms, long enough to just touch the floor, measured from the top of the rod. Take off about 10 mm if you want the hem to clear the floor.
Should curtains touch the floor?
In most living rooms and bedrooms, yes, or stop about 10 mm above it. Use sill length over benches, sinks and in bathrooms.
How do I measure a door or sliding door for curtains?
Mount the rod 100 to 150 mm above the door frame, or near the ceiling, and extend it well past the frame on both sides so the curtains clear the opening. Measure the rod for width and from the top of the rod to the floor for the drop, and allow clearance for door handles.
Which side of a curtain faces outside?
The lining or plain back faces the window and the street; the decorative face faces into the room. Lined curtains are designed so the lining takes the sun.
What size curtains do I need for a 2,400 mm ceiling?
If the rod sits close to a 2,400 mm ceiling, your drop will usually be around 2,250 to 2,350 mm. Measure from the top of your rod to the floor to be sure.
Can I order curtains in mm?
Yes. Enter your sizes in millimetres and we make them to those measurements.
