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How High to Hang Curtains — the Exact Measurements
Hanging curtains a few inches too low is the easiest way to make a room look short and cheap. Get four numbers right and the same curtains make your ceilings look taller and your windows twice as big.
The short answer
Hang the curtain rod 4 to 6 inches above the window frame, or halfway between the frame and the ceiling — higher is almost always better. Extend the rod 8 to 12 inches past each side of the frame so the curtains don't block the glass when open.
Curtains should just touch the floor or hover half an inch above it. For fullness, the total width of your panels should be about 2 times the width of the window.
How high to hang the curtain rod
Hang the rod 4 to 6 inches above the top of the window frame at minimum. In rooms with 9-foot ceilings or higher, go halfway between the frame and the ceiling, or right up near the crown molding. Designers call this "hanging high," and it's the single biggest trick for making a room feel taller.
| Ceiling height | Where to put the rod | Curtain length to buy |
|---|---|---|
| 8 feet (96 in) | 2–4 inches below the ceiling | 84 or 96 inches |
| 9 feet (108 in) | Halfway between frame and ceiling | 96 inches |
| 10 feet (120 in) | 6–10 inches above the frame | 108 inches |
| 11 feet + | Just below crown molding or 12 in above frame | 120 inches or custom |
The one exception: if there's very little wall above the window (under 4 inches), mount the rod right at the ceiling or use a ceiling-mounted track.
How wide to hang the rod
Extend the rod 8 to 12 inches past each side of the window frame. When the curtains are open, they stack on the wall instead of over the glass — so you get all of your daylight, and the window looks wider than it is.
- Minimum: 3 to 6 inches past each side for narrow walls.
- Ideal: 8 to 12 inches past each side.
- Make a small window look big: go up to 18 inches each side, as long as the stacked curtain lands on wall, not on another window or corner.
Example: a 36-inch-wide window plus 10 inches on each side needs a rod of about 56 inches, not counting finials.
Which curtain length to buy
Store-bought curtains in the US come in 63, 84, 95 or 96, 108 and 120 inches. For almost every living room and bedroom, 84 inches is too short once you hang the rod high. Most people should buy 96.
| Style | Where the hem lands | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Kiss the floor | Just touching the floor | The classic, polished look |
| Float | About ½ inch above the floor | Easy cleaning, pets, sliding doors |
| Break | 1–2 inches of fabric on the floor | Relaxed, soft look |
| Puddle | 3+ inches pooled on the floor | Formal rooms, low traffic only |
Avoid "high-water" curtains that stop several inches above the floor, and curtains that stop at the windowsill in living spaces. Both make a room look unfinished. Sill-length curtains are fine in kitchens and bathrooms.
How many panels you need
Curtains look expensive when they're full. Thin, stretched-flat panels look cheap no matter how nice the fabric is. The rule: total panel width = 2 times the rod width (2.5 times for sheers).
- A 56-inch rod needs about 112 inches of fabric: two 54-inch panels, or four 30-inch panels.
- Most store panels are 50 to 54 inches wide, so one panel per side works for windows up to about 40 inches.
- For wide windows or sliding doors, double up: two panels per side.
Tricky windows
Two windows close together
Treat them as one window. Use one long rod across both, with panels on the outside edges and one in the middle.
Window near a corner
Extend the rod as far as you can toward the corner, then stop. A short bracket on one side is fine — nobody will notice.
Sliding glass doors
Mount the rod 6 to 8 inches above the door frame and extend it 12+ inches on the side the curtains stack, so the opening stays fully clear. Float the hem half an inch so it doesn't drag.
Bay windows
Use a bendable bay rod or three separate rods. Inside-mounted Roman shades are often the cleaner choice.
See your room with curtains hung high
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Frequently asked questions
How high should curtains be hung above a window?
At least 4 to 6 inches above the window frame. In rooms with 9-foot or higher ceilings, hang the rod halfway between the frame and the ceiling or just under the crown molding.
How far should a curtain rod extend past the window?
8 to 12 inches past each side of the window frame, so the curtains stack on the wall when open and don't block the glass.
Should curtains touch the floor?
Yes, in living rooms and bedrooms. Curtains should just touch the floor or float about half an inch above it. Sill-length curtains are fine in kitchens and bathrooms.
What length curtains for 8-foot ceilings?
96-inch curtains if you mount the rod just below the ceiling, or 84-inch curtains if the rod sits about 4 inches above a standard window. Always measure from the rod to the floor first.
How wide should curtains be?
The total width of all panels should be about 2 times the width of the rod, or 2.5 times for sheer curtains, so they look full when closed.