How to Measure for 45 Inch Curtains | Width And Drop, Explained

For 45-inch curtains, measure the pole or track width first, then the drop from the hanging point to your desired endpoint.

One number defines whether those 45 inches refer to width or length, and measuring the wrong reference point is the most common mistake. The measurement for 45-inch curtains starts with your hardware, not the window glass. Whether you’re after a 45-inch-wide panel or a 45-inch-long drop, this guide covers the exact measuring points for eyelet, tab top, and pencil pleat headings.

Measure The Width: Pole, Not Window

The single most important rule is to measure the full width of your pole or track, excluding the decorative end caps, or finials. Dunelm’s official guide specifies this directly. For a curtain pole, measure the space between the finials; for a track, measure it end to end. If your track has two overlapping parts, measure the full width end to end, then the overlap, and add them together.

Your rod should extend well past the window frame. Home Depot’s guide recommends extending the rod 8 to 10 inches on each side of the window, which allows light in and lets the panels stack clear of the glass when open. So if your window is 36 inches wide, your rod might be 52 to 56 inches wide in total.

Figure Out The Fullness You Need

Curtain fullness is the ratio of fabric width to the rod width. A flat, stretched panel at 1× looks minimal; most ready-made curtains need more fabric to drape properly. The cited guidance spans 1.5× to 3× the track or pole width depending on heading style and the look you want.

Dunelm’s buying guide gives these specific multipliers:

• Eyelet (grommet): 2× the width of the track or pole.
• Tab top: 1.5× the width of the track or pole.
• Pencil pleat: the width of the track or pole (though many sources suggest more for a fuller gather).

When you buy panels, remember the width listed on the package is the finished width of one panel. For a 50-inch rod with eyelets, you’d want roughly 100 inches of finished fabric, meaning two panels at about 50 inches each.

Measure The Length, Or Drop

The drop determines if your curtains sit at the sill, below it, or at the floor. This measurement starts at the hardware itself, not the top of the window frame. Dunelm’s guide says to measure from the top of the pole for eyelet and tab top curtains. For pencil pleat on a track, measure from the top of the track; on a pole, measure from the eye of the curtain hook.

Dunelm recommends fitting the track or pole about 6 inches (15 cm) above the window recess and 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) beyond it on each side. From that hanging point, your standard options are:

• Sill length: ends about 1 cm (under half an inch) above the sill.
• Below sill: ends roughly 15 cm (6 inches) below the sill.
• Floor length: ends about 1 cm above the floor.

If there’s a radiator under the window, stop the curtain about 1.5 inches (3 cm) above it so heat can escape. A floor-length curtain covering a radiator will trap warmth and reduce heating efficiency.

Round your final measurements to the nearest 1/8 inch, and list width first, length second — so “50 × 45” means 50 inches wide and 45 inches long. Use a metal tape measure for accuracy, since cloth versions can stretch and mislead you.

Common Measuring Mistakes To Avoid

Even experienced buyers trip on a few repeated errors. Watch for these:

• Measuring the window glass instead of the track or pole — the most common slip.
• Including the finials in the pole measurement, which adds inches you don’t need.
• Using the same measuring start point for different heading styles — eyelet, tab top, and pencil pleat all hang from different hardware positions.
• Ordering a single panel when the width math requires two to achieve proper fullness.
• Measuring the drop from the window frame instead of the actual hanging hardware.

Once you have your numbers, you can shop with confidence. If you’re comparing styles and materials, our roundup of the best 45-inch curtains breaks down the top options by fabric and heading type. A correct measurement is the difference between a tailored look and a return label.