Curtain fabric chart
How much fabric a pair of curtains takes, by track width, heading style and drop. Use it to sanity-check a quotation or plan a renovation budget.
All widths are in metres. Figures use typical workroom fullness for each heading and allow about 30cm per drop for hems and heading. For your exact window, use the curtain calculator.
1. Flat fabric width by track width and heading
Flat width is the track width times the fullness. This is the total width of fabric across both curtains before it is pleated.
| Track width | Flat panel (1.3x) | Eyelet (1.8x) | S-fold / ripple fold (2x) | Pinch pleat (2.2x) | Pencil pleat (2.3x) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 m | 1.3 m | 1.8 m | 2.0 m | 2.2 m | 2.3 m |
| 1.5 m | 1.9 m | 2.7 m | 3.0 m | 3.3 m | 3.5 m |
| 2.0 m | 2.6 m | 3.6 m | 4.0 m | 4.4 m | 4.6 m |
| 2.5 m | 3.3 m | 4.5 m | 5.0 m | 5.5 m | 5.8 m |
| 3.0 m | 3.9 m | 5.4 m | 6.0 m | 6.6 m | 6.9 m |
| 3.5 m | 4.5 m | 6.3 m | 7.0 m | 7.7 m | 8.0 m |
| 4.0 m | 5.2 m | 7.2 m | 8.0 m | 8.8 m | 9.2 m |
| 4.5 m | 5.8 m | 8.1 m | 9.0 m | 9.9 m | 10.3 m |
| 5.0 m | 6.5 m | 9.0 m | 10.0 m | 11.0 m | 11.5 m |
| 6.0 m | 7.8 m | 10.8 m | 12.0 m | 13.2 m | 13.8 m |
2. Fabric to buy in 140cm-wide fabric
Standard 140cm fabric is joined in widths, so you buy whole drops. The table shows how many drops a pair of S-fold curtains (2x) needs, and the metres to buy for common drops: 130cm and 160cm for windows above a ledge or bed, 220cm and 260cm for floor-length curtains.
| Track width | Drops needed | Drop 130cm | Drop 160cm | Drop 220cm | Drop 260cm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 m | 2 | 3.2 m | 3.8 m | 5.0 m | 5.8 m |
| 1.5 m | 3 | 4.8 m | 5.7 m | 7.5 m | 8.7 m |
| 2.0 m | 3 | 4.8 m | 5.7 m | 7.5 m | 8.7 m |
| 2.5 m | 4 | 6.4 m | 7.6 m | 10.0 m | 11.6 m |
| 3.0 m | 5 | 8.0 m | 9.5 m | 12.5 m | 14.5 m |
| 3.5 m | 5 | 8.0 m | 9.5 m | 12.5 m | 14.5 m |
| 4.0 m | 6 | 9.6 m | 11.4 m | 15.0 m | 17.4 m |
| 4.5 m | 7 | 11.2 m | 13.3 m | 17.5 m | 20.3 m |
| 5.0 m | 8 | 12.8 m | 15.2 m | 20.0 m | 23.2 m |
| 6.0 m | 9 | 14.4 m | 17.1 m | 22.5 m | 26.1 m |
3. Fabric to buy in 280cm-wide fabric
If the drop plus about 30cm fits within 280cm, wide fabric can be turned sideways so one length covers the full width without joins. A pair then needs the flat width plus about 30cm per panel.
| Track width | S-fold (2x), pair | Pinch pleat (2.2x), pair |
|---|---|---|
| 1.0 m | 2.6 m | 2.8 m |
| 1.5 m | 3.6 m | 3.9 m |
| 2.0 m | 4.6 m | 5.0 m |
| 2.5 m | 5.6 m | 6.1 m |
| 3.0 m | 6.6 m | 7.2 m |
| 3.5 m | 7.6 m | 8.3 m |
| 4.0 m | 8.6 m | 9.4 m |
| 4.5 m | 9.6 m | 10.5 m |
| 5.0 m | 10.6 m | 11.6 m |
| 6.0 m | 12.6 m | 13.8 m |
Using these figures
Measure the track, or where the track will go, rather than the glass. Curtains usually run past the frame on each side so they can stack clear of the window. Our guide to measuring windows for made-to-measure curtains explains where to measure, and curtain headings explains how each heading looks.
You are welcome to use or share these tables with a link back to this page.
Common questions
How much fabric do I need for a 2 metre wide window?
For a 2m track with S-fold or ripple fold curtains (about 2x fullness) you need about 4m of flat fabric width. In 280cm-wide fabric turned sideways that is about 4.6m to buy for a pair; in 140cm-wide fabric it is 3 drops, so 3 times your drop plus about 30cm each.
What fullness should curtains have?
Most made-to-measure curtains use between 1.8x (eyelet) and 2.3x (pencil pleat) the track width. S-fold and ripple fold are usually around 2x and pinch pleat around 2.2x. Flat panels can be as low as 1.3x.
Why is 280cm-wide fabric often cheaper to make up?
If your drop plus hems fits within 280cm, the fabric can be turned sideways so one length runs the full width with no joins. Narrower 140cm fabric has to be joined in widths, and each width costs a full drop of fabric.
Can I use these figures for a quote?
They are planning figures. The final fabric depends on the track, the exact heading, pattern repeats and how the fabric is cut, and is confirmed when the window is measured.
Tell us about your windows
Send photos and rough window sizes on WhatsApp for an early quote. When you are ready, we measure at your home and bring fabric and blind samples. The visit needs a $50 deposit, credited to your order. Found a lower quote for the same curtains? We price match. See the price match terms.