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Input window width, pleat multiplier, and fabric width to quickly calculate how many meters of fabric a single curtain needs—avoid buying excess or falling short.
Actual width of your window or curtain rod/track. Measuring the curtain rod length is recommended for accuracy.
The ratio of finished curtain width to window width. A higher ratio creates more fullness. Common ratios are 1.8-2.0x; sheer curtains can go up to 2.5x.
Curtains extend beyond the window on both sides for better light blocking. Enter the total extension for both sides here, typically 20-40 cm.
Fixed-Height Fabric: Fabric has a fixed height (e.g., 2.8 meters). Purchased directly by the finished curtain width; material needed equals curtain width in meters.
Please enter window width, fullness ratio, and other parameters to estimate curtain fabric.
Overview
Understand what the tool solves, how it works, and the boundaries of its data.
This curtain fabric calculator works in centimeters for measurements and meters for the main quantity. Start with the window or covered width, then set a fullness ratio and side extension. Fullness is the multiplier that expands the covered width into the flat fabric width needed for gathers or pleats. The default side extension is 20 cm total, added to the entered width before the multiplier is applied; change it to match your own measurement plan.
Choose between fixed-height and fixed-width fabric. In fixed-height mode, the estimate converts the expanded width directly to meters. In fixed-width mode, the fabric width determines how many full widths are needed, and the cut length is based on curtain height plus the hem allowance. The two modes describe different ways of buying and cutting fabric, so compare like with like.
How the estimate is calculated
Expanded width in centimeters = (window width + side extension) × fullness ratio. For fixed-height fabric, estimated meters = expanded width ÷ 100. For fixed-width fabric, number of widths = round up (expanded width ÷ fabric width); estimated meters = number of widths × (curtain height + hem allowance) ÷ 100.
For example, enter a 200 cm window width, 20 cm side extension, and 2× fullness. The expanded width is (200 + 20) × 2 = 440 cm, or 4.40 m in fixed-height mode. For fixed-width fabric that is 145 cm wide, 440 ÷ 145 rounds up to 4 widths. If the entered curtain height is 260 cm and the hem allowance is 30 cm, each width uses 2.90 m, for an estimated total of 11.60 m. These figures follow the calculator’s inputs and rounding; they are not a universal cutting prescription.
Enter the window or track width in centimeters using one consistent reference. If your plan includes extra width beyond that measurement, enter it as the side extension rather than quietly mixing it into the window-width figure.
Adjust the fullness ratio and side extension to match the planned finished curtain. The starting values are 2 and 20 cm, respectively; they are editable inputs, not a recommendation for every heading or installation.
Fixed-height fabric estimates meters from expanded width alone. Fixed-width fabric also needs the curtain height and fabric width; its hem allowance is added to each cut length.
The result shows estimated fabric meters and expanded width. Fixed-width mode also shows the number of widths and meters per width. Recheck the entered units and mode before using the number in a purchase conversation.
Where this estimate helps
Use a few fullness or side-extension values to compare rough quantities before choosing a fabric or discussing a quote.
In fixed-width mode, try the usable width listed by the supplier and see whether the estimate rounds up to another full width.
Record the window width, extension, fullness, fabric layout, and height alongside the estimate so a maker can review the same assumptions.
Many US guides ask for inches and yards and may include panel count, finished drop, heading or hem allowances, pattern repeat, returns, overlap, lining, or cutting waste. This calculator instead accepts metric measurements and uses the selected mode’s simpler formula. It does not estimate rod length, fabric price, pattern matching, or lining. Convert your measurements before entry if your source is in inches, and keep the calculator’s output in meters until you convert it deliberately for a supplier.
Treat the number as a planning estimate. Confirm the actual covered span, usable fabric width, finished drop, seam placement, pattern repeat, shrinkage, hems, heading construction, lining, and cutting allowance with the person making the curtains or the fabric supplier. If the window treatment has an unusual shape or construction, this basic estimate may not represent its full material needs.
Guide
Follow the workflow and verify inputs and outputs with practical examples.
Write down the width to cover and decide whether the entered width already includes any return or overlap. Keep all linear inputs in centimeters.
Enter the planned fullness multiplier and any additional width in the side-extension field. The calculator adds the extension once, then multiplies the result by fullness.
For fixed-height mode, the tool converts expanded width to meters. For fixed-width mode, also enter the fabric width, curtain height, and hem allowance.
Check the displayed expanded width and, for fixed-width fabric, the rounded-up width count and per-width length. Keep a note of assumptions when comparing estimates.
Use cases
See how the tool fits into real work and everyday tasks.
Estimate several windows separately so each opening has its own width and fabric assumptions.
Use the supplier’s stated usable width in fixed-width mode, then discuss the rounded width count and cut length with the maker.
Share the measurements and assumptions with an installer or sewing professional so the estimate can be checked against the chosen curtain style.
Q&A
Find concise answers to common questions and confusing cases.
That mode converts expanded width directly to meters. Height is not part of its formula. Fixed-width mode uses height because each fabric width is cut to the entered height plus hem allowance.
Fixed-width mode rounds the required width count up to the next whole width. For example, 440 cm divided by 145 cm requires 4 widths.
No. It estimates fabric from the entered width and selected fabric layout; it does not calculate rod or track length.
It may use inches and yards or include construction details this calculator does not model, such as pattern repeat, returns, overlap, lining, or waste. Compare the assumptions and convert units before comparing totals.
Notes
Review scope, result limitations, and important precautions before use.
The estimate does not account for pattern matching, shrinkage, cutting waste, lining, heading style, returns, overlap, or unusual curtain shapes unless those are represented by the inputs. It is not a cutting order or a price quote. Ask the fabric supplier or curtain maker to verify the final quantity against the fabric’s usable width and your construction plan.
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