Buying guide

How to Measure for Curtains and Roman Blinds

Q: How do I measure for curtains from a finished pole or track?

For made-to-measure curtains, measure the finished pole or track; do not base curtain width on the window recess alone.

Q: How do I choose inside or outside recess for Roman blinds?

Choose inside recess only if the recess is suitable. If it is shallow, obstructed, uneven, or affected by an inward-opening window, plan an outside-recess fit instead.

Q: What should I do after measuring curtains or Roman blinds?

After measuring, check the figures against the right measuring support, then choose the relevant made-to-measure curtains or Roman blinds once style and fitting details are confirmed.

Learn how to check measurements for made-to-measure curtains and Roman blinds, from pole or track width to inside versus outside recess decisions.

British Made Interiors19 July 2026

Measure curtains from the finished pole or track, not just the window. For Roman blinds, choose inside or outside recess first, then record width and drop carefully and check before ordering.

Before ordering, confirm usable pole width excluding finials, full track width, drop, heading or hardware needs, and any obstructions, shallow recesses or uneven recesses.

Key Takeaways

Curtain width should be based on the finished pole or track, not the window recess alone; Glasswells gives the same pole-or-track warning in its bespoke curtain measuring advice.^[1]
Roman blind measuring starts with the fitting choice: inside recess or outside recess.
If the pole, track, recess, bracket position or heading style is not settled, use our measuring support before submitting made-to-measure figures.

Which measuring approach should you use?
Situation	Best choice	Main trade-off	What to check
Existing curtain pole or track	Measure the pole or track; confirm the heading hardware.	Recess measurements may produce the wrong fit.	Follow the curtain measuring guide.
Roman blind inside a recess	Measure width and drop; follow the Roman-blind guide.	DIY deductions or one measurement can misfit.	Check obstructions and repeat measurements.
Shallow, obstructed or irregular recess	Consider an outside-recess blind.	Inside fittings may clash with windows or handles.	Confirm the fit before ordering.
Measurements ready; style undecided	Confirm heading or fold, lining and hardware first.	Measurements alone do not define the order.	Review the relevant guide and category.

Start by choosing what you need to measure

Curtains work from finished hanging hardware; Roman blinds start with fitting position.

Fullness is a good example of why the reference point matters. Homes & Gardens says 1.5 times^[3] the pole width gives some fullness when drapes are pulled back, though not much. Blinds.com says custom curtains and drapes may use 200–300% fullness^[4] for a rich, pleated look, depending on supplier and heading. Furn.com also gives 1cm^[5] above the floor as a floor-length curtain drop example.

Use these figures only after pole, track, heading and drop choice are settled.

How to measure for curtains from a finished pole or track

PolesandBlinds gives this rule for existing poles: measure the pole length without the finials, and use the pole or track length as the required curtain width.^[2]

If your pole or track is not yet fitted, avoid guessing the final width. The bracket position, pole return, track curve and stack back can all affect how the curtain sits in the room. Use our curtain measuring guides before you place a made-to-measure order.

Also check the heading. On our made-to-measure curtains page, Pencil pleat, deep pleat and wave curtains all require hooks which are not supplied as standard^[6]. For wave curtains, A wave track is required to get the most out of Wave curtains^[6]. That is why measuring and style choice should be checked together.

How to choose inside or outside recess for Roman blinds

Use outside recess for shallow, obstructed, uneven or inward-opening-window situations. Warner House gives these issues as reasons a Roman blind may need to sit outside the recess.^[8]

Think about the room use as well as the window. A kitchen blind may need to clear tiles, handles or a sill. A bedroom blind may need closer light control, but it still needs space to operate. Dunelm advises made-to-measure blind customers to decide inside or outside recess first and check obstructions such as protruding handles, sockets or fixtures.^[7]

For our Roman blinds, Including the fixing brackets, the made to measure roman blind tracks are 4cm deep^[10]. Our made-to-measure Roman blinds also come with everything needed to fit, including high-quality tracks and universal (face or ceiling fixed) brackets^[10]. Use that as a clearance check before you choose inside or outside recess.

How to record Roman blind width and drop

The Pure Edit tells Roman blind buyers to choose inside or outside recess before measuring, then measure width and drop in several positions for inside-recess examples and use the smallest figures.^[9]

Make My Blinds gives the same broad safety pattern for recess-fit blinds: measure width at the top, middle and bottom, then measure the drop across the left, middle and right, using the smallest measurement.^[11] The Curtain Store at Home also tells made-to-measure Roman blind customers to record width first and then drop, and for inside recess to record the smallest dimensions without making their own deductions.^[13]

Because supplier deduction rules can vary, do not assume a generic deduction applies to your order. Blinds 2go, for example, tells customers not to make deductions themselves for recess-fit blinds because it will make the deductions needed for its products.^[12] Check our relevant measuring support before you submit final figures.

Common measuring mistakes to avoid

For curtains, the common error is measuring the window opening when the order needs to relate to the pole or track. For Roman blinds, the common error is treating inside recess as the default, even when the recess has handles, tiles, sockets, a shallow depth or an uneven shape.

In a Trustpilot review, Paschal wrote that they had ordered a blind from British Made Interiors, got the measurements slightly wrong, and found the team helpful in resolving the issue. Treat this as one person's experience, and use it as a reminder to check your figures before you submit them.^[14]

Double-check before you submit your measurements

Before you order, read your notes as if someone else had to make the item from them. Is the width clearly marked? Is the drop clear? Have you written whether the blind is inside or outside recess? Have you noted any handles, tiles, vents, sockets, deep sills or uneven points?

For curtains, confirm the heading choice. Our made-to-measure curtains information explains that Pencil pleat is 3” deep and has 3 places to attach your hooks. Deep pleats are 6” deep and it has 6 slots for your hooks^[6]. For Roman blinds, confirm the bracket and track depth, then check the final figures against the chosen fitting type.

What to do after measuring

If you are ordering curtains, use our curtain measuring support, then review our made-to-measure curtains. If you are ordering a blind, check the recess decision and then review our made-to-measure Roman blinds.

Curtain buyers may want to compare choosing the correct curtain style. Roman blind buyers can compare standard and cascade Roman blinds. For both products, confirm sateen, blackout and thermal linings.

If ordering several Roman blinds for one room, pattern position can also affect the finished look. Our Roman blind details state that We pattern match all roman blinds from the top as standard^[10]. That is a finishing detail to check once your measurements and fitting type are confirmed.

Measuring support compared for curtains and Roman blinds — checked 18 July 2026
Criterion	British Made Interiors	Graham Sanderson Interiors	Britannia Rose
Curtain headings covered	Pole/track guides for pinch pleat and wave.	Pole/track guidance for tab top, eyelet and pencil pleat.	Separate eyelet, pencil pleat, pinch pleat and wave guides.
Roman-blind guidance	Separate standard and cascade guides.	Inside/outside fit, recess size and unsuitable recesses.	Separate standard and cascade guides.
Error-prevention checks	15–20 cm side allowance; 2.5 cm typical overlap; finish clearances.	Measure three drops; use the shortest; metal tape in mm.	Instructions split by heading and fitting type.
Help with exceptions	Contact support before ordering.	Phone/email support for bespoke needs.	“Chat to a Real Person” support.

FAQ

How do I measure for curtains from a finished pole or track?

If the pole or track is already fitted, measure the pole without finials or the full track width, then use our curtain measuring support before ordering.^[2]

How do I choose inside or outside recess for Roman blinds?

Use outside recess if the recess is shallow, obstructed, uneven or affected by an inward-opening window; then check your inside or outside recess choice against our Roman blind product details.^[8]

What should I do after measuring curtains or Roman blinds?

Check your figures against the relevant measuring support, then choose the curtains or Roman blinds that fit your room and measurements.

Can I measure for curtains before my pole or track is fitted?

It is safer to wait until the pole or track is in its final position. If it is not fitted, use our measuring support before ordering so you do not base the order on a guess.

What if my Roman blind recess is uneven?

If the recess is uneven, shallow or obstructed, consider whether an outside-recess fit is safer. Several Roman blind measuring sources recommend checking the recess before taking final width and drop measurements.^[8]

Do curtain heading styles affect what I should check before ordering?

Yes. Heading style can affect hooks, track choice and how the curtain hangs. For example, A wave track is required to get the most out of Wave curtains^[6].

Should I make my own deduction for a recess-fit Roman blind?

Do not make your own deduction unless the measuring support for the product tells you to. Many blind guides tell buyers to record exact recess measurements and let the supplier make any product-specific deductions during ordering.^[15]