DIY Guide · Curtains

How to Measure for Custom Curtains – Step-by-Step Guide

Measuring for made-to-measure curtains is quick and easy. Give us two numbers – your track width and your drop – and our Sydney factory takes care of the fabric, fullness, hems and finish.

Time: about 5–10 min per window Skill: Easy People: 1–2
Start measuring Book a free measure Shop custom curtains →

Curtain measuring at a glance

  • You give us: track width + drop, in mm
  • Framing a window: add 100–200mm each side
  • Clear of the glass: add about 40% of the frame width
  • Drop: measure in 3 places – left, middle, right
  • Off the Floor: give the shortest drop – we finish 5–15mm above the floor
  • Puddled: give the longest drop – we add 20mm
Before you start

Before You Measure: 4 Golden Rules

Use a metal tape

Fabric tapes stretch. A metal tape measure gives accurate results.

Millimetres only

Write every measurement in mm, and label it "W" or "D" so they never get swapped.

No deductions

Give us the exact measurements. We make all adjustments for your finish, hem and track.

Measure every window

Windows that look the same are often a few mm different. Measure each one.

Tools you'll need to measure for curtains

  • Metal tape measure
  • Step ladder
  • Pen and paper (or our measuring sheet)
  • A helper for wide windows

Don't worry about fabric

You don't need to work out how much fabric you need, or add anything for pleats or fullness. Just give us your track width and we'll calculate the fabric for the heading style you choose.

Step-by-step

How to Measure for Curtains in 5 Steps

1

Step 1: Choose Your Fitting Type (Top Fit or Face Fit)

Decide where your track will be fixed. This changes where you measure your drop from.

  • Top Fit / Ceiling Mounted – the track is fixed to the ceiling. A clean, modern look that makes rooms feel taller. Ideal for S-fold curtains.
  • Face Fit – the track is fixed to the wall above the window. Ideal where ceiling mounting isn't suitable.
Check what you're fixing intoCeiling joists, wall studs and timber lintels give the strongest fixing. Have cornices? You can fit the track below the cornice (face fit) or between cornices on the ceiling.
Top Fit / Ceiling Face Fit (wall)
Top fit vs face fit
2

Step 2: How to Measure Curtain Track Width

The width you give us is the length of your curtain track. Choose the look you want:

  • Wall to wall: measure the ceiling from one wall to the other (inside the cornices, if you have them).
  • Framing a window: measure the outside width of the window frame (architrave), then add extra on each side using one of the options below.
Think about stack-backWhen curtains are open, the fabric "stacks" at the side. Allow enough wall space beside the window if you want the stack to sit off the glass.
window frame width TRACK WIDTH = your Width measurement + extra + extra
Track width = window frame width + extra each side

AFrame the window

Add 100–200mm each side. The stacked curtain will sit partly over the window.

1800mm frame + 2 × 100mm = 2000mm track

BCentre opening, clear of the glass

Add about 40% of the frame width, split evenly so about 20% stacks each side.

1800mm + 40% (720mm) = 2520mm track

COne-way, clear of the glass

Add about 40% of the frame width, all on your stack side.

1800mm + 40% (720mm) = 2520mm track

40% is a guide only – thicker fabrics such as blockout take up more stack space. Not sure? Ask us or book a free measure.

3

Step 3: How to Measure Curtain Drop (3 Points)

Measure down to the floor in 3 places – left, middle and right. Which one you give us depends on the finish you choose in Step 4:

  • Off the Floor: give us the shortest measurement.
  • Puddled: give us the longest measurement.

Enter it in the Height field when you order.

  • Top fit / ceiling: measure from the ceiling (or inside the cornice) down to the floor.
  • Face fit: mark where the top of your track will sit, then measure from that mark down to the floor.
  • Measure to the hard floor surface. If carpet is going in later, measure to where the top of the carpet will be.
Uneven floors?If your three measurements differ by more than about 10mm, consider a puddled finish – it hides uneven floors beautifully. (Remember: for puddled, give us the longest measurement.)
LeftMiddleRight
Off the Floor: use the shortest · Puddled: use the longest
4

Step 4: Choose Your Floor Finish (Off the Floor or Puddled)

When you order, choose how your curtains meet the floor. Always give us your exact drop – don't add or take anything off. We adjust it for you:

  • Off the Floor – give us your shortest drop. We make your curtains finish about 5–15mm above the floor. A neat, practical finish for hard floors, kids and pets.
  • Puddled – give us your longest drop. We add 20mm so the fabric gently pools on the floor. A soft, elegant look.

The same goes for hems – you don't need to add anything for the hem you choose.

Off the Floor 5–15mm Puddled (+20mm)
We adjust the drop for your chosen finish
5

Step 5: Choose Your Stack & Measure Any Splits

Decide how your curtains open. Think about which side is easiest to reach and free of furniture, and which part of the window or door you'll use most.

  • Left Stack / Right Stack – one curtain that opens to one side.
  • Central Split – opens from the middle and stacks to both sides.
  • Custom Split (one or two splits) – perfect for off-centre doors, or several doors and windows on one track.
Measuring custom splitsStanding inside the room and facing the window, measure from the left end of the track to the centre of each split. Write down the first split, and the second split if you have one.
1st split 2nd split
Measure each split from the left end of the track
Sheer + blockout

How to Measure for Double Curtains (Sheer + Blockout)

Double curtains are measured exactly the same way – one width and one drop for the whole window. We make both the sheer and blockout layers to suit your dual track.

One set of measurements

Give us a single track width and drop. Don't measure each layer separately.

Choose your layer order

When you order, choose whether the sheer sits at the front (room side) or at the back (window side), with the blockout on the other track.

Allow a little more depth

A dual track sits further out from the wall. Check there's room for both layers to clear handles, sills and air-con units.

Write it down

Free Curtain Measuring Sheet

Print the sheet below or copy the table. Fill in one row per window, then use it to place your order.

Room / window nameFitting type
Top fit / Face fit		Width (mm)Drop (mm)
shortest = off floor
longest = puddled		Finish
Off floor / Puddled		Stack / split
e.g. Master bedroomTop fit25202695Off the floorCentral split
Ready to order? Shop custom curtains →
Avoid these

Common Curtain Measuring Mistakes to Avoid

Making your own deductionsDon't take anything off for floor clearance, or add for puddling or hems. Give us exact measurements – we do the rest.
Measuring only onceFloors and ceilings are rarely level. Measure the drop in 3 places – use the shortest for Off the Floor, the longest for Puddled.
Mixing up width and dropAlways label your numbers "W" and "D" before you move to the next window.
Forgetting stack spaceIf you want the window fully clear when open, make sure there's enough wall beside it for the curtains to stack.
Questions

Curtain Measuring FAQs

Do I need to work out how much fabric I need?

No. Just give us your track width. We calculate the fabric needed for the fullness of your chosen heading style – S-fold, double pinch pleat or triple pinch pleat.

Do I measure differently for S-fold or pinch pleat curtains?

No. The width and drop are measured the same way for every heading style. Give us your exact track width and drop, and we make the adjustments for the style you choose.

Should I measure in centimetres or millimetres?

Always measure in millimetres. Write each number with "W" for width or "D" for drop so they never get swapped.

Should I make my curtains shorter so they don't touch the floor?

No – always measure to the floor. Choose "Off the Floor" when you order and we'll make them finish about 5–15mm above the floor.

My floor isn't level. What should I do?

Measure the drop in three places. For an Off the Floor finish, give us the shortest measurement so the curtain clears the floor all the way along. For a Puddled finish, give us the longest so the curtain pools evenly. If the difference is more than about 10mm, a puddled finish will hide it nicely.

Can you measure for me?

Yes. We offer a free in-home measure & quote across Greater Sydney. We'll measure every window, bring fabric samples and confirm everything before you order.

I have a corner or bay window. How do I measure?

Corner and bay windows need special tracks. Please contact us or book a free measure and we'll help you get it right.

Not sure about your measurements?

Skip the guesswork – book a free in-home measure & quote. Our team will measure every window, bring fabric samples and confirm the right size before you order. No obligation, anywhere in Greater Sydney.

Book a free measure Next: installation guide

Measuring for blinds instead? See our blinds measuring guide.

Call (02) 9739 0188 / 0414 091 818
Email diy@casblinds.com.au
Showroom 38 Richmond Road, Homebush West NSW 2140
Hours Mon–Sat 8am–3pm · Sun by appointment
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