Curtains
How to Measure for Made-to-Measure Curtains (in cm)
How to measure your pole or track, choose fullness and work out the drop in centimetres for made-to-measure curtains and voiles.
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Quick answer: Measure the width of your pole or track between the finials, then order about twice that width in total fabric for a full look (about 1.5 times for a flatter look). For the drop, measure from where the curtain hangs to where you want it to finish, then adjust for the heading style.
Curtains look right when the width and drop suit the window and the heading. This guide works for indoor curtains, voiles and outdoor curtains.
Step 1: Measure the width
- Measure the pole or track itself, between the finials, not the window.
- For a full, gathered look, order total fabric of about 2× the pole width. For a flatter look, about 1.5× is enough.
- Split that total across one or two panels. Prices show per panel.
Step 2: Measure the drop
Measure from the top of the pole or track to where the curtain should finish, then adjust for the style:
- Rod pocket: add about 2.5 cm so the pocket sits over the pole.
- Floor length: take off about 1.3 cm so the hem just clears the floor.
- Puddled: add 5–10 cm for a soft pool of fabric on the floor.
- Outdoor curtains: take off about 2.5 cm so the hem stays out of puddles.
Step 3: Choose the heading
- Tab top and back tab: relaxed and easy to slide.
- Rod pocket: gathered and simple.
- Pinch pleat: tailored triple pleats for a formal finish.
Step 4: Lining
Unlined curtains let in soft daylight. Add a 100% blackout lining for bedrooms and media rooms. Voiles and sheers are always unlined, because lining them defeats the purpose.
Wide windows and tall ceilings
Panels can be made up to 305 cm wide and 366 cm drop. Most fabrics wider than about 132 cm need a neat centre seam, but our double-width Warwick voiles are about 320 cm wide, so even wide panels have no join.
Start with made-to-measure curtains, voile curtains, blackout curtains or outdoor curtains. Every order is made in 2–3 weeks, with free UK delivery.
Frequently asked questions
Should I measure the window or the pole?
The pole or track. Curtains hang from it, so its width sets how much fabric you need.
How much wider than the window should curtains be?
For a full look, total fabric of about twice the pole width. For a flatter look, about one and a half times.
Can I order in centimetres?
Yes. Enter your sizes in centimetres, whichever you measured in.
