Getting curtain measurements right is the difference between a window that looks tailored and one that looks like an afterthought. The good news: measuring curtains for Indian windows is simpler than most people fear — you need a steel tape, five minutes, and the numbers below. This guide walks you through exactly how to measure width and height, how many panels you need, and includes a free curtain size chart for standard Indian window and door sizes.
And if your window turns out to be an odd size — as so many Indian homes are — that's not a problem to solve with scissors and a tailor. It's exactly what made-to-measure curtains are for. We'll come back to that.
The short answer
To measure curtains: measure your rod width (not the window) and your drop from the rod to where you want the curtain to end. For a full look, your curtains should total about 1.5–2× the rod width when flat. In India, one standard panel covers roughly 30–34 inches of window, so a typical 4-foot window needs 2 panels.
What you'll need before you start
Three things, all likely already in your home:
- A steel measuring tape — cloth tapes stretch and give false readings. Use a metal one.
- Your curtain rod or track already installed — you measure from the rod, not the window frame. Fit the rod first, then measure.
- A notepad — write width and height for every window. Don't trust memory across a whole house.
One golden rule: always measure the rod, never the window glass. Curtains hang from the rod, so the rod is what decides their size. This single mistake causes more ill-fitting curtains than anything else.
Step 1 — How to measure curtain width
Measure the full length of your curtain rod from end to end — from the inside of the left finial (the decorative end cap) to the inside of the right finial. This is your rod width, and it's the base number for everything else.
Here's the part people miss: your curtains should be wider than the rod, not equal to it. Flat fabric the exact width of the rod will look stretched and let light leak at the sides. For a soft, gathered, full-bodied drape, you want your total curtain width to be 1.5 to 2 times the rod width.
Example: A 48-inch rod × 2 fullness = 96 inches of flat curtain fabric needed. Since one HFI panel covers up to 30–34 inches of window comfortably, that's 2 panels for a proper full look.
Step 2 — How to measure curtain height (the drop)
Curtain height — called the drop — is measured from the top of the rod (or from the ring/hook, depending on style) straight down to where you want the fabric to end. Where it ends is a style choice, and there are three standard options:
- Sill length — ends right at the windowsill. Practical for kitchens and small windows where floor-length would get in the way.
- Below-sill length — ends about 10–15 cm below the sill. A safe, tidy middle option.
- Floor length — ends just above or just kissing the floor. This is the most elegant, most popular choice for living rooms and bedrooms, and the look most Indian homes want today.
For that floor-length drape, most Indian homes need a curtain drop of roughly 7 to 9 feet, depending on ceiling height and how high the rod sits above the window. Measure it — don't guess — because rod height varies wildly from home to home.
Pro tip: Hang your rod 10–15 cm above the window frame, not right on it. Raising the rod makes windows look taller and rooms feel bigger — a trick interior designers use constantly.
Step 3 — How many curtain panels do you need?
Panels are sold individually, so this is where budgets are won or lost. The rule is simple: divide your window width by how much one panel covers, then round up to an even number (curtains hang in pairs so they can part in the middle).
At HFI, one 240 GSM velvet panel covers:
- Eyelet style: up to 34 inches of window width per panel
- American pleat style: up to 30 inches of window width per panel
So the maths for common windows:
| Window width | Eyelet panels | Pleat panels |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 3 ft (36") | 2 | 2 |
| 4 ft (48") | 2 | 2 |
| 5 ft (60") | 2 | 2 |
| 6 ft (72") | 4 | 4 |
| 8 ft (96") — sliding door | 4 | 4 |
| 10 ft (120") — large balcony | 4 | 6 |
Panel counts are rounded up to the nearest pair for a full, gathered drape. Want us to work this out for you? Our free panel calculator does it in one tap.
Free curtain size chart for Indian windows & doors
Standard Indian window and door sizes, with the typical curtain drop each one needs. Use it as a starting reference — but always measure your own rod, because installed heights vary.
| Opening type | Typical size (W × H) | Suggested curtain drop |
|---|---|---|
| Small / kitchen window | 3 × 4 ft | 4.5–5 ft (sill/below-sill) |
| Standard bedroom window | 4 × 5 ft | 7 ft (floor length) |
| Large living-room window | 5–6 × 5 ft | 7–7.5 ft (floor length) |
| French / single door | 3 × 7 ft | 7.5–8 ft |
| Sliding door | 7–8 × 7 ft | 8 ft |
| Full balcony / bay | 8–10 × 7 ft | 8–9 ft |
What if your window is an odd size?
Here's the reality of Indian homes: very few windows are truly "standard." Builder floors, old houses, arched openings, extra-tall living rooms, half-height servant-room windows — off-sizes are the rule, not the exception. And ready-made curtains come in just two or three fixed drops, which means you're left doing one of two frustrating things: buying too-long curtains and paying a tailor to hem them, or buying too-short ones and living with a floating gap.
There's a better way, and it's the whole reason HFI exists. Instead of forcing your window to fit a standard curtain, we make the curtain fit your window. You give us the height, the width, the shade and the hanging style — we cut and stitch each panel to those exact numbers at our 50-year Panipat factory and ship it direct. No tailor, no hemming, no compromise, and because it comes straight from the loom, no reseller markup.
Got your measurements? Get a made-to-fit quote.
Pick your size, shade and style — our tool works out the panels and sends a ready quote to WhatsApp. Premium 240 GSM velvet, factory-direct.
Build my custom curtain →Or browse all 13 shades in our velvet curtains collection.
5 common curtain-measuring mistakes to avoid
- Measuring the window instead of the rod. Curtains hang from the rod — always measure the rod's full length.
- Buying curtains the exact width of the rod. Without 1.5–2× fullness they look flat and stretched. Always allow for gather.
- Forgetting to raise the rod. Mounting the rod 10–15 cm above the frame makes the whole room look taller.
- Using a cloth tape. It stretches. Steel tape only, for both width and drop.
- Assuming your windows are standard. Measure every single one — Indian window sizes are rarely identical, even within one home.
Frequently asked questions
How do I measure curtains for my window?
Measure your curtain rod from end to end for the width, then measure from the rod down to where you want the curtain to end for the height (the drop). Buy curtains 1.5–2 times the rod width for a full look, and always measure the rod rather than the window glass.
How many curtain panels do I need for a 4-foot window?
A standard 4-foot (48-inch) window needs 2 panels. Since one HFI velvet panel covers up to 30–34 inches of window, two panels give the gathered, full drape that looks best and lets the curtains part cleanly in the middle.
What is the standard curtain size in India?
There is no single standard, but the most common curtain drops in Indian homes are 5 feet (window/door length), 7 feet (floor length for windows) and 9 feet (floor length for tall living-room windows and sliding doors). Because window heights vary so much, made-to-measure is often a better fit than fixed sizes.
Should curtains touch the floor?
For living rooms and bedrooms, floor-length curtains that just kiss or hover a centimetre above the floor look the most elegant and are the most popular choice in India today. For kitchens and small utility windows, sill or below-sill length is more practical.
How much wider than the window should curtains be?
Your total curtain width should be about 1.5 to 2 times the width of your rod. This extra fabric creates the soft folds and gathers that make curtains look full and luxurious rather than flat and stretched.
Can I get curtains made to a custom size in India?
Yes. HFI Bedding makes velvet curtains to your exact width and height, in 13 solid shades, with eyelet or American pleat hanging and an optional blackout lining — cut and stitched to order at our Panipat factory and shipped direct at factory prices. It's ideal for the odd-sized windows most Indian homes have.
Measuring curtains well takes five minutes and saves you from the two most common regrets — curtains that puddle awkwardly or float short of the floor. Measure your rod, allow for fullness, choose your drop, and count your panels. And when your window turns out to be its own particular size, remember you don't have to settle for the nearest ready-made option.
