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How Long Should a Curtain Rod Be?
The rod length is the first number in planning curtains, because the curtains, their width, and the panel count all follow from it. It is simple arithmetic — the window plus the extension on both sides — but it helps to work out a range rather than a single number, because rods are sold in adjustable ranges. This guide shows how.
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The formula
Rod length is the window width plus the extension on each side, twice. A 48 in window with the rod 8 in past each side needs a 64 in rod. Measure the window from the outside edge of the trim on one side to the outside edge on the other.
Examples
| Window | Past each side | Rod length |
|---|---|---|
| 36 in | 4 in | 44 in |
| 48 in | 8 in | 64 in |
| 72 in | 12 in | 96 in |
| 120 cm | 20 cm | 160 cm |
Shop within a range
Decide the least and most extension you would accept, and you have a range. For a 48 in window, anything from 4 to 12 in each side means a rod from 56 to 72 in, so an adjustable rod set anywhere in that span works.
Finials need wall space too
Finials — the decorative ends — sit beyond the brackets and aren’t part of the rod length, but they take wall space. A 64 in rod with 3 in finials is 70 in wide overall, which matters next to a corner or another window.
What comes next
- Use the rod length as the width the curtains must cover.
- Multiply by the fullness to get the curtain width.
- Divide by one panel’s width, rounding up, to count panels.
How Long a Curtain Rod Should Be FAQ
- How long should a curtain rod be for a 48 inch window?
- With the rod 8 in past each side, 64 in. Anything from 56 to 72 in gives 4 to 12 in each side.
- Should a curtain rod be wider than the window?
- Usually, yes, so open curtains can stack beside the glass. How much wider is a design choice.
- Do I measure the window frame or the glass?
- The frame: from the outside edge of the trim on one side to the outside edge on the other.
- Does rod length include the finials?
- No. Finials add to the overall width — 3 in finials make a 64 in rod 70 in wide in total.
- What length rod for a 36 inch window?
- With 4 in each side, 44 in; with 12 in each side, 60 in.
Related guides
- Curtain Rod ExtensionWhy curtain rods extend past the window, common extensions from a few inches to a foot, how stack-back sets the minimum, and what to do when space is tight.
- Adjustable Rod SizesCommon adjustable curtain rod ranges in inches and centimeters, how to choose the right range, when rods need a center bracket, and custom options.
Open the tool
Jump into Curtain Rod Length Calculator when you are ready to process your files.
