How to Measure a Window for Drapes

You have decided on the drapes or curtains you want and are now ready to pick them out. But what size do you need? Depending on how you want them to look you will measure different widths and lengths. This may be the easiest part, but it must be exact.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• tape measure
• level

1. Once you have decided where you want your drapes to hang, you know approximately where to measure. Do you want them to extend beyond the window sides? Are they sheers to be hung inside the frame? Do you want hidden or decorative rods? Will there be a finial on the rod ends? Are they traverse rods?

2. 
    

   Lets start with the height of the drapes. If you want to cover and extend beyond the entire window, the drapes should be hung 4" above the window frame or molding. Using a tape measure and level (to be sure your measurements are straight), mark a point 4" above the molding. If you want them to hang at just the top or inside the window, this will be your start point. Decide where you want them to fall to, and measure the length from the top mark to this point. As pre-made drapes come in set lengths, you may need to move this up or down a bit to purchase the ones you want.

3. 
    

   Now for the width. Again, this depends on how much of the window you want to cover. If you want them to extend a few inches on each side, measure and mark this; then measure point to point. If on the window frame or inside the window, measure just this distance.

4. If you are hanging drapes on a window in a corner, remember to consider this if you want a rod with a finial. To fit the finial, you may need to extend them less to each side of the window (which will effect your width measurement). Or you may need to choose a rod without a finial.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are hanging drapes inside a window frame, remember to leave enough room above the rod for the drape material. This will bring your starting measurement down and equal distance.
• use a level, especially for width measurements. An angled line will appear to be wider then the true width.

[kskaggs]

on 2/19/2009 Thanks for the info. I am fixing to buy new drapes. 5*

[dlcass]

on 2/18/2009 I used to work in a drapery store and this is sound information.