The Height of a Shower Rod

The height of a shower rod depends on the length of the shower curtain, how much of the bathtub you want the shower curtain to cover and the height of the tallest household member. Most shower rods are installed between 75 and 79 inches from the floor.

Shower Curtain Length

Standard shower curtains are 72 inches long. When hanging your shower rod, allow for the space between the mounting area and the curtain (usually an inch or so) in addition to the depth of the bathtub sidewall you want the curtain to cover. The curtain liner should not drape along the bottom of the tub, so allow for at least 2 or 3 inches of tub to peek out below the curtain.

Distance Between Tub Bottom and Floor

A tub with a raised bottom, such as a clawfoot tub, means that your shower rod will need to be a few inches higher to keep the shower curtain liner from draping along the bottom of the tub.

User Height

The mathematically perfect spot for your shower rod may cause problems for tall family members. For example, if you hang the shower rod 75 inches from the floor, your 6-foot-4 son may bump his head on it periodically. Hang the rod an inch or two higher than your tallest family member, and purchase a longer, non-standard shower curtain if you need more length to cover the tub's sidewalls.

References

• Vintage Tub & Bath: cr600-60 5' Curved Shower Rod Installation Instructions
• "Design Ideas for Bathrooms"; Susan Boyle Hillstrom; 2005