Free tool
Curtain Fabric Calculator
Measure your window once and get the number of panels, metres of fabric and lining, rod length and an indicative stitching cost — for any heading style.
How to use
How to use the curtain fabric calculator
- Measure the window width across the frame and decide how far the rod extends beyond it on each side (6 in is typical; more if you want the curtains to stack clear of the glass).
- Enter the finished length — from the rod (or eyelet top) to where the curtain should end: sill, below sill, or just off the floor.
- Pick a heading style. It sets a sensible fullness — change it if you want a fuller or flatter look.
- Choose the fabric width from the bolt label and add the pattern repeat if it has one.
- Read panels, metres and cost. Tick lining for bedrooms and west-facing windows.
The maths
How it’s calculated
Rod length = window width + 2 × extension
Fabric width = rod length × fullness
Drops (panels) = ⌈ fabric width ÷ (bolt width − 3 in side hems) ⌉ (even for a pair)
Cut length = finished length + hems & heading (rounded up to the repeat)
Metres = drops × cut length × 0.0254
The turnkey figure uses our rate card for curtains with track and lining, per window: essential ₹6,000–10,000 (ready fabric, rod or basic track); premium ₹10,000–18,000 (lined drapes + sheers on ceiling track); luxury ₹18,000–35,000 (motorised track, designer fabric, blackout) — excl. GST.
Wide fabrics (108–120 in) are usually railroaded: the bolt width becomes the curtain height, so you buy the rod width × fullness in running length and avoid joins.
Worked example
A 5 ft window with 7 ft eyelet curtains
- Rod: 60 + 2 × 6 = 72 in. At 2× fullness you need 144 in of fabric width.
- 54 in fabric, less 3 in side hems = 51 in per drop: 144 ÷ 51 = 2.82 → 4 panels (rounded to an even number for a pair).
- Cut length: 84 + 16 = 100 in. Fabric: 4 × 100 = 400 in = 10.2 m.
- At ₹450 a metre and ₹300 stitching per panel: about ₹5,790.
Fabric for common windows (2× fullness, 54 in fabric, pair)
| Window width | 5 ft long | 7 ft long | 9 ft long |
|---|---|---|---|
| 36 in (3 ft) | 2 panels · 3.9 m | 2 panels · 5.1 m | 2 panels · 6.3 m |
| 48 in (4 ft) | 4 panels · 7.8 m | 4 panels · 10.2 m | 4 panels · 12.6 m |
| 60 in (5 ft) | 4 panels · 7.8 m | 4 panels · 10.2 m | 4 panels · 12.6 m |
| 72 in (6 ft) | 4 panels · 7.8 m | 4 panels · 10.2 m | 4 panels · 12.6 m |
| 96 in (8 ft) | 6 panels · 11.6 m | 6 panels · 15.3 m | 6 panels · 18.9 m |
Includes 6 in rod extension each side and 16 in for hems and heading.
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Read more →FAQ
Curtain Fabric Calculator: common questions
How many metres of fabric do I need for one curtain panel?
What fullness should I use?
What are standard curtain lengths in India?
Is blackout lining worth it?
Rod or track — which is better?
Want soft furnishings that tie the room together?
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