SizingWise

Curtain buying decision tool

Don’t just size curtains. Choose the right one for the room.

Pick the room, light, privacy, material stress, and window direction. Then get the size, treatment, risks, and buying checklist in one place.

Build My Buying Plan Compare Room Risks
  • Room-aware recommendations
  • No email signup
  • Ready-made size check

Choose the room and risk

Start with the room, then tune light, privacy, material stress, and size.

Pick the room first

Room choice changes the material, privacy target, light simulation, and buying checklist.

Measure the window opening in inches.
Use the glass or frame height as your base.
Leave blank to calculate a suggested panel width.
Advanced curtain details

Buying checklist

  • Panel count2 panels
  • Panel size75 in wide x 63 in long
  • Rod width76 in
  • Room scenarioBedroom
  • Best treatmentBlackout curtain with return rod or layered shade
  • Search termsblackout curtains bedroom, return rod blackout curtains
Light100
Privacy98
Cleaning56
Airflow46
Heat86
Next stepUse this checklist before you compare panels.
Avoid bedroom light gaps

Use about 2.5x fullness for this recommendation.

Choose ready-made panels around 63 in long.

Outside mount adds side and height allowance so the curtains cover the window better.

Room risks

The room changes the curtain

Size still matters, but the wrong material or privacy level is what makes people reorder.

Bedroom Stop light leaks before they happen Bathroom Balance privacy, moisture, and airflow Kitchen Avoid fabric that traps oil and smoke Kids room Make safety part of the buying checklist West-facing Reduce glare and late-day heat Sliding door Plan a wider span and clean daily movement

Common Curtain Size Chart

These examples assume outside-mount curtains with standard 2x fullness. Use them as a quick check, then use the calculator above for your exact window height, mount type, and panel width.

Window widthTotal curtain widthCommon panel setupTypical ready-made lengths
36 in72 in2 panels around 36-42 in wide63, 84, or 96 in
48 in96 in2 panels around 50-52 in wide84 or 96 in
60 in120 in2 panels around 54-60 in wide84, 96, or 108 in
72 in144 in2 panels around 72 in wide or 4 narrower panels84, 96, or 108 in

Curtain Fullness Quick Guide

Light, 1.5x

Works for simple coverage, tight spaces, or budget panels where a flatter look is acceptable.

Standard, 2x

A reliable starting point for most bedroom, living room, and dining room windows.

Full, 2.5x

Better for blackout panels, wider windows, and rooms where the curtains should look richer.

Extra full, 3x

Useful for sheers and decorative curtains that need soft folds even when stretched across the window.

How to Use This Calculator

  1. Measure the window width and height in inches or centimeters.
  2. Choose the room first: bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, living room, kids room, office, sliding door, or rental.
  3. Tune light control, privacy, window direction, and material stress such as humidity or cooking residue.
  4. Pick inside mount only when the curtain will sit within the frame; otherwise use outside mount.
  5. Enter a known panel width if you already have a product in mind.
  6. Use the buying recommendation to compare material, panel count, width, length, rod size, and search terms.

Frequently Asked Questions

How wide should curtains be?

For most windows, total curtain fabric width should be about 2 times the window width. Use more fullness for sheers and a fuller look, or slightly less for simple coverage.

Should I measure the window or the curtain rod?

Start with the window opening. For outside mounts, add rod width beyond both sides of the frame so the panels can cover the window and stack back cleanly.

What length curtains should I buy?

Measure from the rod position to the finished drop. The calculator recommends the next common ready-made length, such as 84, 96, 108, or 120 inches.

How many curtain panels do I need?

If you know the panel width, divide the total curtain width by that panel width and round up. If not, two panels is a common starting point for standard windows.

Popular Curtain Measurement Guides

Curtain Size Chart

Compare common window widths with typical curtain width and length choices.