Neige
Cashmere Throw Blanket
$350
from $29/mo
Dimension Guide
Curtain Dimensions: Length & Width Guide
Quick Answer
Standard curtain lengths are 84, 96, 108 and 120 inches. Mount the rod 4 to 6 inches above the window frame — or halfway to the ceiling — extend it 8 to 12 inches beyond each side, and use panels totalling two to two and a half times the window width.
Standard curtain lengths and where they land
| Length | Suits | Finish |
|---|---|---|
| 84in | 8ft ceilings, rod near the frame | Floor-length, minimal break |
| 96in | 8ft to 9ft ceilings | Rod raised towards the ceiling |
| 108in | 9ft to 10ft ceilings | Ceiling-mounted or high rod |
| 120in | 10ft+ ceilings | Full-height rooms, puddled or breaking |
| Sill / apron | Kitchens, radiators below | Ends 1in below the sill or 4in below the apron |
How to Measure Curtains
Measure from where the rod will go — not from the top of the window — down to the floor, then choose the next standard length up and hem to fit. Mounting the rod 4 to 6 inches above the frame, or two thirds of the way to the ceiling, is what makes a window look taller than it is; hanging at the frame does the opposite.
For width, measure the window and multiply by two to two and a half for proper fullness, then divide across the panels. Two 50 inch panels on a 60 inch window gives 100 inches of fabric, which is correct. Panels that only just meet when closed will always look thin, however good the fabric.
Where the Hem Should Land
Three acceptable finishes: a float, with the hem half an inch above the floor and the crispest line; a break, with an inch of fabric resting on the floor, which suits linen and most rooms; and a puddle, with two to four inches pooling, which suits heavy velvet and formal rooms but collects dust.
Short curtains that stop at the sill are correct only where something physically prevents floor length — a radiator, a counter, a window seat. Anywhere else, hems ending above the floor read as a sizing error rather than a decision.
Rods, Rings and Stack Back
Extend the rod 8 to 12 inches beyond each side of the window frame so panels stack clear of the glass when open. That stack-back space is what lets daylight in fully, and it is the most commonly omitted measurement in a curtain order.
Rings add roughly one to one and a half inches of drop, so subtract that from the finished length. Ceiling-mounted tracks are the right choice in rooms under nine feet where every inch of apparent height matters, and they suit sheer linen particularly well.
Interactive Tool
Prefer to work from your own measurements? Use the Curtain Length Guide for an instant recommendation.
Frequently Asked
- How high should a curtain rod be mounted?
- 4 to 6 inches above the window frame, or two thirds of the way to the ceiling.
- How much curtain width do I need?
- Two to two and a half times the window width across all panels.
- Should curtains touch the floor?
- Yes — float half an inch above, break an inch on the floor, or puddle two to four inches.
- What is the most common curtain length?
- 96 inches, because most rods sit above the frame in an eight-foot room.
- How far past the window should a rod extend?
- 8 to 12 inches each side so panels stack clear of the glass.