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Curtain Fabric Calculator: Yardage for Every Heading Style

Calculate curtain fabric yardage for eyelet, pencil pleat, pinch pleat, and wave curtains. Enter window width, drop, and lining type for exact fabric needed.

Full width of the pole or track, including any overhang

From top of heading to hem bottom (finished length)

For multiple identical windows in the same room

Vertical pattern repeat on the fabric bolt

Hem Allowances (inches)
Top
Bottom
Side (each)

Round up to the nearest ½ yard (½ metre) when ordering. Always buy 5–10% extra to allow for cutting errors and matching.

How to Use This Calculator

  1. 1

    Measure your pole or track width

    Measure the full width of the pole or curtain track, including any overhang beyond the window frame. Most poles extend 6–12 inches beyond the window on each side. Enter this total width — not just the window width.

  2. 2

    Measure the drop

    Measure from the top of the heading (where rings or hooks attach) down to where you want the hem to end: windowsill, below sill, or floor. Use the finished length — the calculator adds hem allowances automatically.

  3. 3

    Select heading style and fabric width

    Choose your heading style from the 8 options — this sets the fullness ratio. Select the fabric width on your fabric bolt (54" is most common). The calculator shows how many fabric widths you need per panel.

  4. 4

    Enter pattern repeat if applicable

    Check your fabric bolt for a vertical pattern repeat measurement. If there is one, enter it in the Pattern Repeat field. The calculator rounds your cut length up to the next full repeat and shows the extra fabric waste.

  5. 5

    Read the yardage result

    The result shows total face fabric in yards and metres. If you added lining, it shows lining yardage separately. Round up to the nearest half yard when ordering and add 5–10% for safety.

What Each Value Means

Pole / Track Width (inches or cm)
The full width of the curtain pole or track, including any overhang beyond the window frame. This is NOT the window width — most poles extend 6–12 inches beyond the window on each side to allow the curtains to stack clear of the glass when open.
Drop (inches or cm)
The finished length of the curtain panel — from the top of the heading to the bottom hem. This is the visible length of the curtain, not the cut length. The calculator adds hem allowances on top of this number to give you the cut length.
Fullness Ratio (multiplier (e.g. 2.25×))
How much wider the fabric is cut compared to the finished, gathered width. A 2× fullness ratio means the cut fabric is twice as wide as the finished hanging width. More fullness = more fabric gathered = lusher, more luxurious appearance.
Cut Length (inches or cm)
The actual length you cut from the fabric bolt. Equals the drop plus top hem allowance plus bottom hem allowance. For rod pocket curtains, add another 4 inches for the pocket header. If using a pattern repeat, cut length rounds up to the next repeat multiple.
Pattern Repeat (inches or cm)
The vertical distance after which a fabric pattern repeats. If your fabric has a 12-inch pattern repeat, the same motif appears every 12 inches. You must cut each panel at the same point in the repeat so patterns line up across panels — this creates waste.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I calculate fabric for curtains?
Multiply your finished panel width by the fullness ratio to get the cut width. Then add top and bottom hem allowances to your drop to get the cut length. Multiply cut width × cut length × number of panels, then divide by 36 for yards (or by 100 for metres).
How much fabric fullness do I need for curtains?
Fullness depends on heading style. Eyelet curtains need 1.5–2× the finished width. Pencil pleat and pinch pleat (2-finger) need 2–2.5×. Pinch pleat (3-finger) needs 2.5–3×. Wave curtains use a fixed 2×. Tab top curtains use 1.5× — the least fabric of all gathered headings.
How many fabric widths do I need per panel?
Divide your cut panel width (finished width × fullness + side hems) by the fabric bolt width, then round up to the next whole number. Example: 108" cut width on 54" fabric = 2 widths per panel. Each width is one full bolt width cut to your cut length.
How do I account for a pattern repeat when buying curtain fabric?
Round your cut length up to the next multiple of the pattern repeat. Example: 100" cut length with an 8" repeat → round up to 104" (13 × 8 = 104). Multiply the extra inches by total number of widths to find total waste. Enter the repeat in the calculator — it adjusts automatically.
How much extra fabric should I buy for curtains?
Always add 5–10% above the calculated amount for cutting errors, pattern matching adjustments, and re-cuts. Round up to the nearest half yard or half metre when ordering. Fabric ordered from different dye lots may not match, so order all fabric at once.
How do I calculate fabric for lined curtains?
Face fabric calculation is the same as unlined. For lining, use the same number of fabric widths but cut the lining about 2 inches shorter than the face fabric drop — the lining hangs inside the hem. The calculator shows both face and lining yardage when you select Standard Lining or Interlining.
What is the difference between drop and cut length?
Drop is the finished length of the curtain — from the top of the heading to the bottom hem. Cut length adds hem allowances on top and bottom (typically 4" top + 6" bottom = 10" extra). Cut length is what you physically cut from the fabric bolt. For rod pocket curtains, add another 4" for the pocket.
How do I calculate fabric for a whole room?
Enter the number of windows in the calculator if all windows are the same size. For different sizes, run the calculator separately for each window size and add the totals. Always buy all fabric from the same dye lot in a single order.