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Curtain Fabric Calculator

Calculate exact fabric yardage needed for your curtains. Get accurate panel counts, fullness ratios, and pattern repeat calculations for perfect custom curtains.

Calculate Fabric Needed

Typical: 54" or 118"

0 for solid fabrics

Below sill/floor

📏 Fabric Required

Total Fabric
7.5 yards
(6.75 meters)
Number of Panels
3
10.0 ft wide total
Finished Length
6.0 ft
Cut Length
7.3 ft
Fullness
2×

💡 Recommendations

  • •Curtains at sill level - consider adding 2-4" for better proportion

🛒 Shopping Guide

Order: 7.5 - 8.3 yards

Add 10% extra for pattern matching and mistakes

Related Calculators

Understanding Fullness Ratios

Fullness ratio determines how gathered your curtains will be. It's the multiplier applied to your window width to calculate the total fabric width needed.

1.5× - Minimal Fullness

Budget-friendly, modern, tailored look. Curtains hang relatively flat.

Best for: Contemporary spaces, sheers, budget projects

2× - Standard Fullness ⭐

Most popular choice. Balanced look with moderate gathering.

Best for: Most windows, versatile, good value

2.5× - Full Gathering

Luxurious, traditional appearance with rich folds.

Best for: Formal rooms, traditional decor, high-end look

3× - Maximum Fullness

Very dramatic, opulent with deep pleating. Premium choice.

Best for: Luxury spaces, pinch pleats, statement curtains

Curtain Style Guide

🎀 Rod Pocket

Fabric sleeve sewn at top slides onto rod. Creates gathered look. Header allowance: 8" (4" pocket + 4" ruffle). Classic, affordable, easy to install.

⭕ Grommet

Metal rings punched through header. Modern, sleek, easy to open/close. Header allowance: 6". Creates uniform waves. Best with 2-2.5× fullness.

🏷️ Tab Top

Fabric loops attach curtain to rod. Casual, decorative, shows rod. Header allowance: 10". Difficult to open/close frequently. Decorative option.

📌 Pinch Pleat

Traditional tailored pleats at top. Formal, elegant, timeless. Header allowance: 8". Requires drapery hooks and rings. Professional look.

🌊 Ripple Fold

Modern wave pattern on track system. Contemporary, uniform folds. Header allowance: 6". Requires special hardware. High-end, architectural.

Fabric Width Guide

Fabric WidthTypeBest For
45"LightweightSheers, voiles, light linings
54"StandardMost decorator fabrics, cotton, linen
60"UpholsteryHeavy-weight, durable fabrics
118"Wide-widthSeamless panels, premium option, wide windows

Tip: Always verify fabric width before purchasing. It's printed on the fabric bolt or in product specs.

Measuring Your Windows

1
Width Measurement

Measure rod width, not window frame. For fullness, measure where rod extends beyond window (typically 3-6" each side).

2
Height Measurement

Measure from rod to desired endpoint: sill (modern), apron (6" below sill), or floor (subtract 0.5-1" for clearance).

3
Account for Rod Height

Hang rods 4-6" above window frame for standard ceiling height. Higher for tall ceilings (up to halfway to ceiling).

4
Add Extra Length

Sill: +2-4" below, Apron: +6-12" below, Floor: -0.5" above, Puddle: +1-6" on floor. Consider room function and style.

Pattern Repeat Explained

Pattern repeat is the vertical distance between identical design points. It affects how much extra fabric you need to match patterns across panels.

Small Repeat (0-12")

Easy to match, minimal waste. Common in geometric patterns, stripes, small florals.

Medium Repeat (12-24")

Moderate waste (10-15%). Common in traditional florals, damasks.

Large Repeat (24"+)

Significant waste (20-30%). Dramatic designs, large florals. Factor into budget.

No Repeat (Solid)

No extra needed. Most economical. Solid colors, subtle textures.

Calculation: Divide cut length by repeat, round UP to whole number, multiply by repeat. This ensures patterns align across all panels.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌
Not Adding Hem Allowances

Forgetting to add 8" for bottom hem and 8" for header. Results in curtains 16" too short!

❌
Skipping Pattern Repeat

Not accounting for pattern repeat wastes fabric and creates mismatched panels. Always round up repeats.

❌
Insufficient Fullness

Using 1× or 1.25× fullness makes curtains look flat and skimpy. Minimum 1.5×, ideal 2×.

❌
Wrong Fabric Width

Assuming all fabric is 54" wide. Verify width - sheers often 118", upholstery 60", etc.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much fabric do I need for curtains?
Fabric needed depends on window size, desired fullness, and fabric width. General formula: (Window Width × Fullness Ratio) ÷ Fabric Width = Number of Panels. Then multiply panel cut length by number of panels. For a 60" wide window with 2× fullness using 54" wide fabric: (60 × 2) ÷ 54 = 2.2, so 3 panels needed. Add hems, headers, and pattern repeat to determine total yardage.
What is fullness ratio for curtains?
Fullness ratio determines how gathered or flat curtains appear. 1.5× (minimal fullness): Budget-friendly, modern look. 2× (standard): Most popular, balanced appearance. 2.5× (full): Luxurious, traditional look. 3× (very full): High-end, dramatic pleating. The ratio multiplies your window width to determine fabric width needed. Higher ratios use more fabric but create more elegant draping.
How do I account for pattern repeat?
Pattern repeat is the distance between identical points in a fabric design. To match patterns across panels, each panel length must be cut in full repeats. Example: If cut length is 100" and pattern repeat is 27", you need 4 repeats (108") per panel. This adds 8" per panel. Always round up to complete repeats. Larger repeats significantly increase fabric waste and cost.
What are standard fabric widths for curtains?
Common fabric widths: 54" (most standard decorator fabrics), 60" (upholstery weight), 118" (wide-width/seamless, premium option). Wide-width fabrics eliminate seams in panels and reduce the number of panels needed, but cost more per yard. For wide windows, 118" fabric can be more economical despite higher price. Always verify fabric width before purchasing.
How much should curtains puddle on the floor?
Puddle styles: No puddle (0-1"): Clean, modern look, just grazes floor. Kiss/break (1-2"): Slight fold, most popular, elegant without excess. Medium puddle (2-6"): Romantic, traditional, requires more fabric. Extravagant puddle (6"+): Very formal, dramatic, high-end. Consider cleaning difficulty - puddled curtains collect dust and are harder to maintain. Measure from rod to desired endpoint.
What hem and header allowances should I use?
Standard allowances: Bottom hem: 8" (4" double hem) for standard curtains, 10-12" for silk or heavy fabrics, 6" for sheers. Top header/rod pocket: 8" (4" pocket + 4" heading for rod pocket), 6" for grommets, 10" for tab tops, 8" for pinch pleats. Add 2" side hems per panel. These allowances ensure professional finish and proper hang. Adjust based on fabric weight and curtain style.
How do I calculate curtains for sliding glass doors?
Sliding doors (typically 6-8 ft wide) need wider coverage. Measure full opening width and add 12-18" on each side for privacy/light blocking. Use 2.5-3× fullness for best appearance. For 6 ft door: (72" + 24") × 2.5 = 240" fabric width needed. Using 54" fabric: 240 ÷ 54 = 4.4, so 5 panels. Consider split panels (2-3 each side) for easier operation. Add extra length for floor clearance (0.5-1" above floor).