Free Guide
How to Measure for Custom Drapes
A precise measurement takes 10 minutes and makes the difference between a perfect fit and an expensive mistake. Follow this guide step by step.
Before You Start
What you'll need
📏
Metal Tape Measure
Must be metal — fabric measuring tapes can stretch. At least 10 feet long. Measure in inches.
📝
Pen & Paper (or Phone)
Record measurements immediately. Don't rely on memory. Note: width first, then height.
🪜
Step Stool (for tall windows)
For windows where your track will be near the ceiling, a step stool helps measure accurately from the mount point.
Step 1
Choose Your Mount Type
Your mount type determines how you measure. There are four options:
🧱
Wall Mount
Track mounted on the wall above the window frame. Measure from where you plan to mount the track.
📐
Ceiling Mount
Track attached directly to the ceiling. Panel drops from ceiling level. Height measured from ceiling to floor/desired end.
🔲
Recessed (Inside Recess)
Track installed inside a window recess or architectural niche. Measure the interior of the recess precisely.
🚪
Free Space (Room Divider)
Track spans an open space (not mounted to a window). Track mounted to ceiling or beam. Measure the span of the track.
Choose your mount type before measuring. The same window measured for wall mount vs. ceiling mount will produce different dimensions. This selection affects how your drapes are configured.
WIDTH
Step 2
Measure the Width
Width is the horizontal measurement of your drape panel — from one end of the track to the other (for wall/ceiling/free space) or the inner width of your recess (for recessed mount).
📐 Wall/Ceiling/Free Space: Measure where you plan to run the track — not the window frame itself. Add extra on each side to ensure the drape covers the full window opening.
🔲 Recessed: Measure the exact inner width of the recess opening. Measure at the opening, not the back of the recess.
Minimum billing width is 36 inches — even if your panel is physically narrower. The minimum fabrication width is 15 inches.
HEIGHT
Step 3
Measure the Height (Drop)
Height is the vertical drop — from the track mount point (where the top of the track/carrier sits) down to where you want the bottom of the drape to hang.
🏠 Floor-length: Measure from track mount to floor. Subtract 1/2 inch to prevent dragging.
🪟 Sill-length: Measure to the window sill. Add 1/2 inch below the sill for a clean break.
📐 Custom length: Measure to exactly where you want the bottom of the drape panel to hang.
Maximum height: Sheer: 118 inches / Translucid & Blackout: 110 inches. If your measurement exceeds these, contact us before ordering.
Step 4
Verify & Enter in Configurator
Before entering your measurements, double-check both numbers. Write "W × H" format — e.g., 84 × 96. In the configurator, you'll be asked for each panel's width and height separately.
💡 Ordering multiple panels for the same room? Each panel can have a different width. Enter each panel as a separate item in the configurator.