BOX AND BAY CURTAIN MEASURE GUIDE

Measuring for box and bay curtains is easier than you might think. Follow our simple step-by-step guide, and you’ll be ready to order your custom-made curtains in just a few minutes.

What you’ll need to measure

Materials

your tape measure (metal tape measure only)
your step ladder
a pen and some paper

Before you get going

Have you decided how your curtains will be fitted?

Before you measure, it’s worth taking a moment to think about how your curtains will sit in the space. A few small details can make a big difference to the final look.

Check if your room has cornices.

Curtains can be fitted to the wall or tucked neatly inside your cornices on the ceiling, depending on the look you prefer.

Check what surface your curtains will be fixed to.

Our curtains can be fixed to most surfaces, but it’s important to check what you’re attaching into before you start. Wall studs and ceiling battens are usually the easiest and most secure fixing points.

Get Free Samples Delivered

Nothing beats seeing the fabric in your own home. Order free samples to compare colours, textures and finishes before making your final decision.

Not all curtain tracks are suitable for curved installations.

Curved curtain tracks are available exclusively in our standard designer and motorised track profiles. Half-moon tracks are not available for curved sections. To achieve a coordinated look with half-moon ceiling tracks, select butting tracks instead. These must be ordered through the standard curtain product page, rather than the curved curtain section. The compatible curved track profile will be clearly displayed on the curved curtain product page.

Have you checked the angle of each corner?

Our custom curved tracks are available for bay windows with 45-degree or 90-degree corners. To check a 90-degree corner, place the square corner of an A4 sheet into the window corner. If both edges sit flush, it is approximately 90 degrees. To check a 45-degree corner, fold an A4 sheet diagonally and place the folded point into the corner. If both edges sit flush, it is approximately 45 degrees. For other angles, contact us for measuring assistance.

Create your perfect curtains

Start by imagining how your curtains will enhance your space. Explore different styles, fabrics and finishes to create custom-made curtains that fit beautifully, complement your décor and provide the functionality you need.

This guide is designed specifically for measuring box and bay window curtains. If you’re only installing a single curtain, visit our Single Curtain Measuring Guide instead. For more complex installations, we also have dedicated guides for Corner Windows, and Double Curtain setups.

Choose a ceiling fit or wall fit to get started.

Pick the correct tab above for relevant info.

Ceiling fit curtains

Create the illusion of greater height with ceiling-mounted curtains. They are ideal for straight-edged ceilings and can also be fitted inside cornices. For the most secure installation, curtain tracks should be fixed into ceiling battens or another suitable structural surface.

Our curved tracks are designed to fit corners with precise 45-degree or 90-degree angles.
Choose sheer curtains for a soft, airy look, or blockout fabrics to reduce incoming light and enhance privacy.
Select a left stack, right stack, centre opening or multiple openings to suit your windows, doors and access requirements.
Choose our designer track in white to complement light-coloured walls, or select black or silver to coordinate with other features in your home. Half-moon tracks are not available for curved sections unless separate manual butting tracks are used.
Select your preferred curtain hem for the ideal finished appearance.
For taller curtains, choose a longer operating wand or select no wand for a cleaner look.
Choose between a fixed-flow track, where each curtain panel follows a predetermined path, or a free-flow track that allows the panels to move more freely.
Create a contemporary, luxurious finish with S-fold curtains, or choose pleated curtains for a more traditional appearance.
Layer sheer and blockout curtains on a double-track system for added style, light control and privacy. Contact us for guidance on ordering two curved tracks for the same window.
To minimise the overall projection, consider knife pleats or pencil pleats for the rear blockout curtains.
Choose from three curtain finishes: just off the floor, touching the floor or puddled.
Curtains can also be paired with roller blinds to provide even greater control over light, privacy and insulation.

Pick the correct tab above for relevant info.

Wall fit curtains

Create a luxurious, designer look by extending your curtains across the full width of your wall. Wall fit curtains are best secured into wall studs for maximum stability, but they can also be fixed to suitable concrete, stone, brick, or tile surfaces.

Customise your curtains to suit your space:

Our curved tracks are designed to fit corners with precise 45-degree or 90-degree angles.
Highlight the character of period homes with high ceilings, decorative cornices and architectural detailing.
Select sheer curtains for a soft, airy look or blockout fabrics for greater light control and privacy.
Choose from three floor finishes: just off the floor, touching the floor or puddled.
Select a left stack, right stack, centre opening or multiple openings for convenient access to windows and doors.
Choose a designer track in white to complement light walls, or black or silver to coordinate with other features in your home.
Select your preferred hem style.
For longer curtain drops, choose a longer wand or opt for no wand at all.
Layer sheer and blockout curtains on a double-track system for enhanced style, light control and privacy. Refer to our double-curtain measuring guide for ordering and measuring advice.
Choose between a fixed-flow track configuration or flexible free-flow operation.
Create a contemporary finish with S-fold curtains or a more traditional look with pleated curtains.
Pair your curtains with roller blinds for even greater control over light and privacy.

Let's get measuring. We'll guide you through each step to make the process quick and easy.

Need to change mounting type? Pick the correct tab above for relevant instruction.

Ceiling fit Curtains

Alright, it’s time to start measuring. We’ll guide you through it step by step.

1 Check Your Corner Angles

Check that each corner of your bay window forms either a 45-degree or 90-degree angle. If you are unsure, or your angles do not match either of these, please contact us for assistance.

To check for a 45-degree angle, fold one corner of an A4 sheet of paper diagonally so the edges align. Place the folded corner against the bay window corner. If both sides sit neatly against the walls, the angle is 45 degrees.

To check for a 90-degree angle, place an unfolded A4 sheet of paper into the corner. If both edges fit neatly against the walls, the corner is 90 degrees.

2 Find Your Width Measurement

For curtains covering all three sides of your bay window, measure the width of the left, middle, and right sections. For each section, measure from the outer edge to the point where the walls meet. Record all three measurements, as these will be used to determine your track width.

For curtains framing your bay window, measure the width above the left, middle, and right windows. Measure from the outside edge of each window frame or recess to the point where the walls meet.

For the left and right sections, add at least 30% to the window width to allow enough space for the curtains to stack neatly off the glass when open. Before ordering, make sure the adjusted track widths will fit within the available wall space.

There is no need to make any allowances for the curved sections of the track. Simply provide your exact measurements and we’ll account for the curves and calculate the required fabric based on your finished track width.

3 Choose Your Split Points (Optional)

For multiple openings, you can choose 1 or 2 splits and enter their exact positions. Curtain splits are ideal for un even window positions, bi-fold and sliding doors, making it easier to move sections of the curtain aside for access.

Select the number of splits you would like. If no split measurements are entered, we’ll space them evenly across the track.

If you do not want any splits, continue to Step 3.

For a single custom split, measure from the left side of the track to the point where you would like the curtain split to be positioned. Take this measurement along the wall where the split will sit and record it.

If the split is located within the left section of the bay window and your curtains are framing the window rather than running wall to wall, begin measuring from the point where the track will start on the ceiling—not from the edge of the wall. Measure across to the required split point and record the result.

This adjustment only applies when framing the window with curtains. If your track has been measured wall to wall, measure the split from the wall as normal.

For two custom splits, measure from the left side of the track to the first split position and record the measurement. Then measure from the same starting point to the second split position and record that measurement. Take each measurement along the wall where the split will be located.

If either split is positioned within the left section of the bay window and your curtains are framing the window rather than running wall to wall, begin measuring from the point where the track will start on the ceiling—not from the edge of the wall. Measure from this point to each required split position.

This adjustment only applies when framing the window with curtains. If your track has been measured wall to wall, measure both splits from the left wall as normal.

4 Measure and mark your drop measurement

Measure and mark where your curtain track will begin using a pencil. Use the ceiling or top of the window frame as a guide to help keep your starting position level.

For the most secure installation, fix your curtain track into wall studs wherever possible.

5 Find your drop measurement

Measure from where your curtains will begin down to the floor on the left, middle, and right sides. Record all three measurements and use the largest measurement as your curtain drop.

If there is more than a 10 mm difference between the three measurements, we recommend choosing a puddled finish to help accommodate an uneven floor.

6 Choose your preferred finish.

When designing and ordering your curtains, choose from the three finish options below.

Enter your exact measurements only. There’s no need to make any deductions or additions, as we’ll adjust your measurements to achieve the right finish.

If you choose Just Off the Floor, your curtains will be made approximately 5–10 mm shorter than your drop measurement, so they sit just above the floor.

If you choose Touching the Floor, your curtains will gently skim the floor by up to 5 mm.

If you choose Puddling, your curtains will puddle on the floor by approximately 20 mm. For a larger puddle, please leave a note in the comments section at checkout.

7 Choose your stacking, and track flow.

Choose the wand size you need. As a guide, the longer your curtain drop, the longer your wand should be for easy reach and everyday use.

Next, select your preferred stacking style: left stack, right stack, centre opening, or multiple openings. Consider which side is easiest to access, whether there are any obstructions, and which part of the window or door you’ll use most often.

If you choose motorisation with centre opening curtains, select the side you would like the motor positioned on. Motorisation is not available for curtains with multiple openings, but we’ll make sure your motor fits without you needing to adjust your measurements.

Finally, choose between a fixed flow track and a free flow track. A free flow track gives you complete flexibility to move and stack your curtains as you like. Please note that motorisation is not available with free flow tracks.

8 Complete Your Custom Curtain Order Online

It’s time to complete your custom curtain order online. During ordering, you’ll be able to select your preferred hem finish. There’s no need to add or deduct anything for the hem — we’ll take care of this for you.

Simply enter the exact measurements you have taken in millimetres (mm), without adjusting them for your chosen finish.

Need to change mounting type? Pick the correct tab above for relevant instruction.

Wall fit Curtains

Alright, it’s time to start measuring. We’ll guide you through it step by step.

1 Check Your Corner Angles

Check that each corner of your bay window forms either a 45-degree or 90-degree angle. If you are unsure, or your angles do not match either of these, please contact us for assistance.

To check for a 90-degree angle, place an unfolded A4 sheet of paper into the corner. If both edges fit neatly against the walls, the corner is 90 degrees.

1 Find Your Width Measurement

For curtains covering all three sides of your bay window, measure the width above the left, middle, and right sections, from the outer edge of each side to where the walls meet. Record all three measurements, as these will be used to determine your track width.

For curtains framing your bay window, measure above the left, middle, and right window sections, starting from the outside edge of each window frame or recess and measuring to where the walls meet. Add at least 30% to the left and right window measurements to allow enough space for the curtains to stack clear of the windows.

Before ordering, check that the adjusted track width will fit within the available wall space.

There’s no need to make any allowances for the curved sections of the track. Simply provide your exact measurements and we’ll make the necessary adjustments. We’ll also calculate the required fabric based on your finished track width.

2 Choose Your Split Points (Optional)

For multiple openings, you can choose one or two splits and specify exactly where you would like them positioned. Splits are particularly useful for bi-fold and sliding doors, allowing sections of the curtain to move independently for easier access.

Select the number of splits required and provide their measurements. If no split locations are specified, we will space them evenly across the track.

If you do not require any splits, continue to Step 3.

For one custom split, measure from the left end of the track to your preferred split position and record this measurement.

If you are “framing” your window, make sure to take into account where your track will start after adjusting for stack back when determining the split position.

For two custom splits, measure from the left end of the track to each preferred split position and record both measurements.

When measuring from the outer left edge of the window frame or recess, add the required left-side stack allowance to each applicable measurement. This allows the curtains to stack clear of the window glass. Record the adjusted totals as your split locations.

3a

Mark the starting measurement

Using a pencil, mark the height where the top of your curtain track will be installed. Use the ceiling or window frame as a guide to ensure the marks remain level across the full width.

For the best support, we recommend fixing the track into wall studs wherever possible.

The measurement you provide should be taken to the top of the curtain track, not to the top of the finished curtain fabric. With S-fold curtains, there will naturally be a small gap between the track and where the curtain fabric begins.

3b

Find your drop measurement

To determine the correct curtain drop, follow these simple steps:

Measure from the top of where your curtain track will be mounted down to the finished floor on the left, centre, and right sides of the opening. Record all three measurements.
Compare the measurements and use the largest one as your curtain drop.
If there is more than 10 mm difference between the three measurements, we recommend selecting a puddled finish to achieve the best result.

4 Choose your preferred finish.

When designing and ordering your curtains, choose from the three finish options below.

Enter your exact measurements only. There’s no need to make any deductions or additions, as we’ll adjust your measurements to achieve the right finish.

If you choose Just Off the Floor, your curtains will be made approximately 5–10 mm shorter than your drop measurement, so they sit just above the floor.

If you choose Touching the Floor, your curtains will gently skim the floor by up to 5 mm.

If you choose Puddling, your curtains will puddle on the floor by approximately 20 mm. For a larger puddle, please leave a note in the comments section at checkout.

5 Choose your stacking, and track flow.

Choose the wand size you need. As a guide, the longer your curtain drop, the longer your wand should be for easy reach and everyday use.

6 Complete Your Custom Curtain Order Online

Simply enter the exact measurements you have taken in millimetres (mm), without adjusting them for your chosen finish.

If you select the wall-to-wall option on the product page, we will make a small deduction from your track width so the track fits neatly between your walls or cornices. For ceiling fit curtains, a wall-to-wall installation usually provides the best result.

If you would like your curtains to frame your window, we recommend a wall fit installation and adding at least 30% to your window width measurement. This can also work on a ceiling fit curtain. Make sure there are no obstructions on either side of the window based on your new track width.

When measuring this way, select standard fit on the product page, not wall to wall. Your track will then be made to your exact measurement so it frames your window beautifully. Please do not make any deductions yourself.

Ready to install?

How to install curtains

how to install curtains.

Have a question? Our team is here to help.

Whether you’re measuring, ordering, or installing your curtains and blinds, our team is here to help every step of the way. From product advice and measuring support to installation tips and troubleshooting, we’ll help make the process simple and stress-free. Contact us here.