Which curtain heading stacks back the least?

Grommet and wave or ripplefold headings usually stack tightest — about 15% of the flat fabric width is a common estimate, against about 20% for pleats.

How much do pinch pleat curtains stack back?

About 20% of their flat width is a common estimate, so 128 in of pinch-pleat fabric stacks about 25.6 in in total.

Do lined curtains take up more room when open?

Yes. Lining and interlining add bulk to every fold, so lined curtains stack wider than unlined ones of the same width.

Is the one-fifth of the rod rule accurate?

It matches the pleated estimate at about 2× fullness. With fuller curtains or a tighter heading it can be well off.

Do rod pocket curtains stack more than grommets?

Usually. Fabric gathered on a rod pocket bunches more than grommet folds, so expect a wider stack for the same fabric.

Illustration of open curtains bunched at both ends of a rod beside a window, with the stacked fabric shaded

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Curtain Stack-Back by Heading Style

How tightly open curtains fold up depends a lot on how they hang from the rod. Pleats, gathered pockets, tabs, grommets, and wave carriers all bunch differently, so the same amount of fabric can take quite different widths of rod when it is pushed open. This guide compares common estimates by heading.

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Common estimates

Common estimates comparison
Heading	Stack, share of the flat fabric width	128 in of fabric stacks about
Pinch pleat	About 20%	25.6 in
Rod pocket	About 20%	25.6 in
Tab top	About 20%	25.6 in
Grommet / eyelet	About 15%	19.2 in
Ripplefold / wave on a track	About 15%	19.2 in

Rules of thumb from curtain and track suppliers; makers’ own figures vary.

Why headings differ

Pleated and gathered headings pack the fabric into many small folds that push against each other, so they need more rod when open. Grommets and wave carriers fold the fabric into fewer, deeper, regular folds that nest together, which usually makes a narrower stack for the same width of fabric.

The rod ÷ 5 rule

A popular shortcut says a centre-opening pair stacks about one-fifth of the rod width on each side. At 2× fullness each side has fabric equal to the rod’s width, and 20% of that is one-fifth of the rod — so the shortcut is the pleated-curtain estimate in disguise, and it only holds near 2× fullness.

What else widens a stack

Lining, interlining, or blackout layers.
Heavier or stiffer fabric, such as velvet or wool.
More fullness — more fabric to fold.
Rings or carriers that don’t slide close together.
Curtains that haven’t been trained into neat folds.

Use the maker’s number when you have it

Track and drapery makers often publish a stack figure for their heading, sometimes per foot or metre of fabric. When you have one, it beats any rule of thumb; turn it into a share of the flat fabric width and use that as your estimate.

Stack-Back by Heading FAQ

Which curtain heading stacks back the least?: Grommet and wave or ripplefold headings usually stack tightest — about 15% of the flat fabric width is a common estimate, against about 20% for pleats.
How much do pinch pleat curtains stack back?: About 20% of their flat width is a common estimate, so 128 in of pinch-pleat fabric stacks about 25.6 in in total.
Do lined curtains take up more room when open?: Yes. Lining and interlining add bulk to every fold, so lined curtains stack wider than unlined ones of the same width.
Is the one-fifth of the rod rule accurate?: It matches the pleated estimate at about 2× fullness. With fuller curtains or a tighter heading it can be well off.
Do rod pocket curtains stack more than grommets?: Usually. Fabric gathered on a rod pocket bunches more than grommet folds, so expect a wider stack for the same fabric.