Windows and home textiles
Buying curtains online: measurements, panels and fittings
Window width does not directly tell you how much fabric to buy. The right basket also depends on the fixing, desired fullness and the number of pieces actually sold.
Quick response
Essential in a minute
Choose the rod or track first, then measure the width to cover and the drop from the relevant hanging point. Check whether dimensions refer to one panel or the pair. Confirm the desired fullness with the manufacturer and add panels, fittings, alterations and delivery. “Blackout” describes a fabric use; also check light gaps around the installation.
1. Start with the fixing and window opening
Identify the rod or track, bracket position, handles, shutter box and window movement. Measure from the point where the fabric will actually hang, which depends on its heading. Measuring from the ceiling or frame may give a different drop. Keep a sketch of the measuring points and request the model’s method before alterations or made-to-measure production.
- Starting and ending points marked on the sketch.
- Window opening and obstacles checked.
2. Count fabric and panels sold
Record each panel’s width and drop and the pack’s piece count. A two-piece set is not necessarily twice the displayed width: the specification must say what that measurement covers. Fullness depends on the product and desired result; request suitable guidance instead of using one multiplier everywhere. Also check whether accessories shown in the photograph are included.
- Panel width and panel count confirmed.
3. Examine use and care
Compare composition, transparency, feel and care using a sample if offered. Screen appearance depends on lighting and does not guarantee the delivered colour. Ask what a blackout or insulation claim measures and under which conditions. The result also depends on installation and side gaps. Read washing and dimensional-change information before setting the final drop.
- Sample and fabric instructions examined.
4. Compare the ready-to-hang basket
Add fabric, rod or track, brackets, required rings or hooks, alterations and delivery. Confirm kit contents and fixing compatibility with the actual surface; follow instructions or seek a professional if installation is uncertain. Before cutting or hemming, read trial, alteration and return options. Keep ordered references and dimensions to avoid confusing similar variants.
- Complete basket and pre-alteration conditions kept.
Compare
Dimensions you should not confuse
| Reference point | What to record | Mistake to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Width to cover | Actual area and chosen fixing | Using only the glazing width |
| Finished drop | Hanging point to desired lower edge | Ignoring the curtain heading height |
| Fabric width | Width per panel and piece count | Confusing one panel with a pair |
Fictional example · No merchant prices
A per-panel price can exceed a pair’s total
Fictional example: your chosen fullness requires 320 cm of fabric in total. Two 160 cm panels at €30 cost €60, plus €20 alterations and €8 delivery: €88. A pair of two 160 cm panels already at the correct drop costs €76 delivered. The pair saves €12 here, assuming equivalent finished width and drop. The 320 cm applies to this project, not a universal multiplier.
| Expense item | Two individual panels | One complete pair |
|---|---|---|
| Fabric purchased | 60.00 € | 76.00 € |
| Assumed alterations | 20.00 € | 0.00 € |
| Delivery | 8.00 € | 0.00 € |
| Total of included items | 88.00 € | 76.00 € |
Shared rod and brackets not costed; fictional amounts unrelated to a real merchant.
- Confirm whether the stated width covers one panel or the set.
Before you continue
Final checklist : Measure and compare curtains
Check the points you actually checked. Checks stay in this page during the visit; they are not sent to the server. A checked point does not constitute a validation of the merchant.
Guide: Measure and compare curtains · Révision éditoriale : 28 October 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Useful answers
Should every curtain use the same fullness multiplier?
No. The heading, fabric and desired result change the requirement. Start with the width to cover and request the manufacturer’s guidance for the selected model. A universal formula can result in too many or too few panels.
Is a cheap pair always better value?
Compare the same finished widths and drops, then add accessories, alterations and delivery. Check piece count and which dimensions the price covers. A complete offer can cost less than fabric alone requiring several extra purchases.
To check
Reference sources and documentation
The editorial update date does not guarantee a new verification of each source. See the references for an individual situation or regulatory evolution.
- IKEA — Choosing and hanging curtainsGuidance on fabric types, piece counts and hanging systems. No product on the page is recommended.
- Leroy Merlin — Choosing a curtain rodDifferences between systems and accessories; check the product instructions for installation.
Putting into practice
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