For curtains and drapery, you will need to measure the panel width. If you want your curtains to close and cover the entire window: Measure the width of your window. Add 12 inches to each side, 24 inches total.
For the width, take your steel tape measure and take the full length measurement of your pole or track. For pencil pleats on a track, measure the drop by starting from the top of the track, and for pencil pleats on a curtain pole, measure from the eye of the curtain rings (where you'll be hooking your curtains into).
The standard curtain width is always 2, 2.5, or 3 times the width of the window. So the formulas used to calculate the width of your curtain is: Standard curtain width = width of window × 2. Deluxe curtain width = width of window × 2.5.
For a 60 inch (152.4cm) window, you need curtains with a finished width at least 1.5 times that, but better are those with twice that width and even three times the width for sheers. Therefore, for a 60 inch window, you need two panels of 60 inches each for twice the width and a luxurious gather.
When we list or write curtain measurements, the width always comes before the drop. Ready-made curtains are available in three standard widths: 112 cm (44 inches), 167 cm (66 inches) or 228 cm (90 inches). You should choose the width that most closely matches the size of your track or pole.
The actual amount of gather depends on heading styles and personal preference, but as a general rule the width of your curtains should amount to double the width of your track. This is referred to as 'two times gather'.
To get the measurements, measure the width of the rod from left to right. For instance, if your window measures 72” wide, you will need curtains that will give a maximum width of 144” (window width x 2 = 144”.)
How wide should curtains be? To ensure that curtain panels look ample when closed, they should have a combined width that is 2 to 2.5 times the width of the window/rod. That means if you are ordering Grommet style or Rod-pocket style, the total drapery width should be at least 2 times the window/rod widths.
There's a simple calculation to work out how much curtain fabric you need. First, multiply the track/pole width by your chosen fullness (eg. Pole width 150cm x 2.5 = 375). Next, divide that figure by the fabric width, which is typically 137cm (375 divided by 137 = 2.73).
The sizes are listed width by width. The curtain panel is 54 inches wide by 84 inches long. Before choosing curtains, it is advisable to install a curtain rod.
Curtain Width Guide
If you hang a 48-inch panel on a 48-inch window, there will be no fullness or draping. According to Curtainshop.com, finished curtains should be twice the width of the window, so if your window is 36 inches wide, you need panels that are at least 72 inches across.
Example: If your window measures 36″ wide (window width x 2 = 72″), you need curtains that will give a minimum width of 72″ or 2 panels for that window. In this case 2 panels will give about 100″ to 120″ of width which will look nice and full.
Standard curtains come in three lengths—84 inches, 96 inches, or 108 inches. "Generally, you want to stay away from the 84 inch standard curtains unless you have very low ceilings. They don't look right in most scenarios and end up being an awkward length," says Curtis.
Most curtain designs come in standard drop sizes of 54”, 72”, 90” and 108” so you may have to round up to the nearest size. For example, if you measure your drop and it is 147cm (58”) in length and you wanted your curtains to sit off the floor you would round this up to the 72” drop curtains.
Fabric calculations – Most curtains will require somewhere between 1 ½ and 2 ½ times fullness, depending on the heading and look you want to achieve. I always prefer to be generous and use 2 ½ times the width, skimpy curtains don't look good and you can always use any extra fabric for cushions or tie backs.
For a 120-inch window, how wide should curtains be? Depending on the weight of the fabric and how much you want the curtains to be. At least a width and a half is what I would recommend. 180 inches is the width of each curtain.
Just like in clothes, curtain panel sizes give a standard measurement of the curtain's length. These sizes are strictly followed by architects and interior designers. The most common sizes would range from 63, 84, 95, 108 and 120. Width size can vary but the most common is at 45-inches.
Standard Curtain Panels
The most common sizes for panels are 63 inches, 84 inches, 95 inches, 108 inches, and 120 inches in length, and 48 inches in width.
In Closing. For a 9-foot ceiling, 96-inch curtain panels are typically a good fit. This allows you to hang curtains that reach the floor, with the rod placed one foot from the ceiling. If you prefer curtains that pool on the floor or curtains that hang higher, just pick the next size up.
This will ultimately depend on the length of your window, but as a general rule, curtains will hang to the following points on most windows: 63 inches: To the windowsill. 84 inches: To the floor.
If the top of the window is 84" from the floor, a 63" curtain will hang 21" from the floor. On many windows in modern houses with a 30-33" sill height this will put the curtain length at some point on the wall below the window.
Types. Single Panel Curtain:As the name states, single panel curtains are made of one piece of fabric. These are great for sliding glass doors. Shop Single Panel Curtains and Drapes. Panel Pair: These curtains come in matching pairs, allowing you to hang the two pieces of fabric on either side of the window.
It means there's only one side! Like you see in the picture it showed two curtains 1 panel means you only get one side. So if you're looking to part them in the middle like in the picture you'll need to buy more then one panel.