Curtain drop and pole length

The drop is the length of the curtain. Where you measure from depends on the heading; where you measure to depends on the look.

Checked against UK retailer and maker guides on 21 October 2026.

Where to measure from

• Eyelet curtains: from the top of the pole (Dunelm).
• Pencil pleat curtains: from the eye of the curtain ring, or the top of the track (Dunelm).
• No pole yet: measure from where it will go, and Dunelm suggests adding 10 cm to the drop.

Where to measure to

Dunelm says floor-length curtains are the most popular choice. Dunelm adds that below-sill (apron) curtains help with insulation.

Ready-made drops

If your measured drop falls between two sizes, choose the longer one and take it up. Dunelm’s hemming tip: hang the curtain, mark 5 cm below where you want it to end, cut, then fold up 2.5 cm twice and iron, sew or use bonding tape.

How long a pole?

• Pole: window width plus 40 cm, 20 cm each side (Dunelm).
• Track outside the recess: window width plus 20 cm, 10 cm each side (Dunelm).
• Track inside the recess: the recess width.
• Pole width is measured without the finials (the decorative ends).