Curtain Material Calculator
Use this calculator to estimate the amount of fabric you'll need for your custom curtains. Accurate measurements and understanding of fullness and pattern repeats are crucial for a perfect finish.
Measure the width of your window, track, or pole.
Measure from the top of your track/pole to where you want the curtain to end (e.g., sill, floor).
137 cm (Standard)
140 cm (Common)
280 cm (Wide Width)
300 cm (Extra Wide)
Check the width of your chosen fabric.
Enter the vertical pattern repeat of your fabric. Enter 0 if there is no pattern repeat.
1.5x (Less Full)
2.0x (Standard Fullness)
2.5x (Very Full)
3.0x (Maximum Fullness)
How much gather do you want? 2.0x is standard.
Allowance for heading tape, buckram, or rod pocket. Typically 10-20cm.
Allowance for the bottom hem. Typically 10-20cm.
Allowance for each side hem. Typically 2-5cm per side.
Understanding Your Curtain Material Needs
Creating custom curtains requires careful planning, and the first step is accurately calculating the amount of fabric you'll need. This calculator simplifies the process by taking into account all the critical factors that influence fabric consumption.
Key Factors Explained:
- Window/Track Width: This is your starting point. Measure the full width of your window frame, or more accurately, the length of your curtain track or pole. Curtains should extend beyond the window frame for better light block and aesthetic appeal.
- Desired Curtain Drop: This is the finished length of your curtain. Measure from the top of your track or pole down to where you want the curtain to end. Common drops are to the sill, just below the sill, or to the floor. For floor-length curtains, decide if you want them to just skim the floor, break slightly, or puddle.
- Fabric Width: Fabrics come in various standard widths (e.g., 137cm, 140cm, 280cm). Knowing your fabric's width is essential to determine how many "drops" (vertical panels) you'll need to achieve the desired curtain width.
- Pattern Repeat: If your fabric has a pattern, you'll need extra material to ensure the pattern aligns perfectly across all panels. The pattern repeat is the vertical distance before the pattern repeats itself. If your fabric has no pattern, enter 0.
- Desired Fullness: This refers to how much gather or pleating you want in your curtains.
- 1.5x Fullness: A more tailored, less gathered look, often used for sheer curtains or when fabric is expensive.
- 2.0x Fullness: The most common and versatile fullness, offering a good balance of gather and drape.
- 2.5x Fullness: Provides a very rich, luxurious look with significant gather, suitable for heavier fabrics.
- 3.0x Fullness: Maximum fullness, often used for very lightweight fabrics or for a dramatic, opulent effect.
- Hem Allowances (Top, Bottom, Side): These are extra fabric amounts needed for finishing the edges of your curtains.
- Top Hem: Accounts for heading tape, buckram, or a rod pocket.
- Bottom Hem: Provides weight and a neat finish at the bottom.
- Side Hems: Finish the vertical edges of each curtain panel.
How the Calculation Works:
The calculator first determines the total finished width your curtains need to be, based on your window width and desired fullness. It then divides this by your fabric width to find out how many full fabric widths (panels) are required, always rounding up to ensure full coverage. Next, it calculates the 'cut drop' for each panel, adding all hem allowances and adjusting for pattern repeats to ensure perfect alignment. Finally, it multiplies the number of panels by the cut drop length to give you the total fabric required in meters.
Example Calculation:
Let's say you have a window that is 150 cm wide, and you want your curtains to have a 220 cm drop. You've chosen a fabric that is 140 cm wide with a 30 cm pattern repeat, and you desire 2.0x fullness. You plan for a 20 cm top hem, 20 cm bottom hem, and 4 cm side hems.
- Finished Curtain Width: (150 cm * 2.0) + (4 cm * 2 sides) = 300 cm + 8 cm = 308 cm
- Number of Fabric Widths: 308 cm / 140 cm = 2.2. Rounded up, you need 3 fabric widths.
- Finished Curtain Drop (including hems): 220 cm (drop) + 20 cm (top hem) + 20 cm (bottom hem) = 260 cm
- Cut Drop (with pattern repeat): Since there's a 30 cm pattern repeat, we need to ensure each cut drop is a multiple of the repeat. 260 cm / 30 cm = 8.66. Rounded up to the nearest whole number (9) * 30 cm = 270 cm per cut drop.
- Total Fabric Needed: 3 fabric widths * 270 cm/width = 810 cm = 8.1 meters.
Always consider adding a small buffer (e.g., 0.5 to 1 meter) to your final fabric quantity for safety, especially if you are new to curtain making or if your fabric is expensive.