Curtain Fabric Estimator
Work out exactly how much fabric to buy for your curtains. Enter the rod or window width, drop height, fullness factor and panel count to get the total fabric width, fabric length with hem allowance, widths to join and total meters.
Window and fabric details
Fabric estimate
| Step | Calculation | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Total fabric width | - | - |
| Fabric length per panel | - | - |
| Widths to join | - | - |
| Total fabric to buy | - | - |
How to use
- Measure your curtain rod or window width in meters and enter it above.
- Enter the drop height — from the rod to the floor for long curtains, or to the sill for short ones.
- Pick a fullness factor: 1.5x for a flat look, 2x standard gathers, 2.5x for full pleats.
- Set the number of panels, plus your hem allowance and fabric bolt width if they differ from the defaults.
- Click Estimate Fabric to see the total width needed, length per panel, widths to join and total meters to buy.
Tips
- Fullness 2x suits most living rooms; choose 2.5x for heavy blackout or velvet curtains.
- The default 10 cm hem allowance covers top and bottom hems on standard curtains.
- For large printed patterns, add about 0.3 m extra per panel for pattern matching.
- To convert fabric meters to yards for tailors, use the Fabric Yardage Calculator.
- All calculations happen in your browser; nothing is uploaded.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What fullness factors can I choose in the Curtain Fabric Estimator?
Three presets are included: 1.5x for a light, flat look on plain fabrics; 2x for standard gathers that suit most curtains; and 2.5x for a full, luxurious pleated look on heavy fabrics.
What inputs does the estimator need?
You enter the curtain rod or window width in meters, the drop height in meters, a fullness factor preset, and the number of panels. The hem allowance (default 10 cm) and fabric bolt width (default 140 cm) are also editable for accuracy.
How is the fabric length per panel calculated?
Fabric length per panel equals the drop height plus the hem allowance, so with the default 10 cm allowance a 2.5 m drop needs 2.6 m of fabric per panel. Total fabric to buy is this length multiplied by the number of fabric widths that must be joined.
How does it work out the number of fabric widths to join?
Total fabric width needed equals rod width multiplied by the fullness factor. That total is divided by the fabric bolt width (default 140 cm) and rounded up, because you cannot buy part of a fabric width.
What if my fabric bolt is wider or narrower than 140 cm?
Change the fabric bolt width input to match your fabric, for example 150 cm for wide upholstery fabric or 110 cm for narrow cotton. The tool recalculates the widths to join and the total meters to buy automatically.