Eyelet vs Pencil Pleat Curtains: Fabric, Look, and Cost

Updated: May 26, 2026

The Core Difference

Eyelet curtains slide directly on a pole via metal rings punched through the fabric. Pencil pleat curtains use a woven heading tape that gathers the fabric into tight, even pleats — attached via hooks to rings or track runners.

Both are extremely popular, but they use different amounts of fabric, require different hardware, and suit different aesthetics.

Fabric Requirements: The Numbers

The clearest difference between eyelet and pencil pleat is fullness ratio — how much wider the cut fabric is compared to the finished hanging width.

Heading	Fullness Ratio	Range
Eyelet	1.75×	1.5–2×
Pencil Pleat	2.25×	2–2.5×

On the same window, pencil pleat requires ~29% more fabric than eyelet.

Real Numbers: 72” Pole, 84” Drop, 54” Fabric

	Eyelet	Pencil Pleat
Finished panel width	36”	36”
Cut width per panel	36 × 1.75 + 3 = 66”	36 × 2.25 + 3 = 84”
Widths per panel	2	2
Cut length	94”	94”
Total widths	4	4
Total yards	10.4	10.4

Interesting result: on a 72” pole with 54” fabric, both headings need 2 widths per panel because both 66” and 84” require 2 widths of 54” fabric (you always round up). The fabric cost ends up the same.

When the Difference Becomes Real: 60” Pole

	Eyelet	Pencil Pleat
Finished panel width	30”	30”
Cut width per panel	30 × 1.75 + 3 = 55.5”	30 × 2.25 + 3 = 70.5”
Widths per panel	2	2
Total yards	10.4	10.4

Still the same. Now try with a wider fabric (60”):

	Eyelet (60” fabric)	Pencil Pleat (60” fabric)
Cut width per panel	55.5”	70.5”
Widths per panel	1	2
Total widths	2	4
Total yards	5.2	10.4

With 60” fabric, eyelet uses half as much fabric. The fullness difference only becomes material when the cut widths fall either side of a widths-per-panel boundary. The full widths-per-panel formula is in Curtain Fabric Yardage Formula.

Use the Curtain Fabric Calculator to check both headings with your exact measurements — sometimes they cost the same; sometimes one is dramatically less.

Appearance: What They Look Like

Eyelet Curtains

Uniform, evenly spaced folds that fan out from each ring
Fold depth is consistent across the panel
The front of the curtain is clean with no heading hardware visible
Folds extend toward the viewer when the curtain is open (curtains “bow” slightly)
The back shows the metal rings

Eyelet look works for: Modern, Scandinavian, coastal, casual contemporary interiors.

Pencil Pleat Curtains

Dense, tight pleats running across the full width
When fully gathered, the pleats completely conceal the heading tape and hooks
More luxurious and “drapey” appearance than eyelet at the same fullness
Works with both poles (rings + hooks) and tracks (runners + hooks)
Fullness is adjustable after making (cords in the tape can loosen the gathering)

Pencil pleat look works for: Traditional, transitional, formal, country, and eclectic interiors.

Hardware and Installation

Eyelet

Require: A curtain pole (not a track). The pole diameter must fit through the ring’s inner diameter (usually ¾”–1.6”).

Cannot use with: Ceiling-mounted or wall-mounted tracks, bay window tracks, or anything that does not have a free-standing pole.

Opening/closing: Curtains slide directly on the pole — smooth and easy to open, but heavy curtains can stick on rough or painted poles. Use a pole with a smooth, low-friction finish.

Pencil Pleat

Works with: Both poles (using curtain rings + hooks) and tracks (using runners + hooks).

More versatile: Bay windows, angled windows, and ceiling-fixed tracks all work with pencil pleat. Eyelet curtains cannot go around corners. For an even more formal pleated option, see How to Calculate Fabric for Pinch Pleat Curtains.

Opening/closing: Hooks glide on rings or runners — very smooth on a good quality track.

Cost Comparison (All Factors)

Factor	Eyelet	Pencil Pleat
Fabric (varies by window)	Same to less	Same to more
Heading tape	Not required	Required
Hardware	Pole only	Pole + rings, or track
Making difficulty	Moderate (eyelet punch tool needed)	Moderate (tape + hooks)
Adjustability after making	None	Fullness adjustable via cord

Eyelet heading punching tools cost $15–$40 for a DIY kit. Professional curtain makers charge slightly more for eyelets due to the punching and reinforcement process.

Which Should You Choose?

Choose Eyelet if:

You have a pole (not a track) and want a clean, modern look
You want easy DIY installation (no hooks to thread)
Your room has a contemporary or casual aesthetic
Your windows are standard rectangles (not bay or angled)

Choose Pencil Pleat if:

You have a track system, or want to use one
Your windows are bay windows or other non-standard shapes
You prefer a traditional, formal, or layered look
You want the option to adjust fullness after the curtains are made

Calculate exact fabric for either heading with the Curtain Fabric Calculator.