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measuring windows

How to Measure for Curtains on a Bay Window

When measuring bay windows for made to measure curtains, it’s important to take accurate measurements to ensure a proper fit. It’s also important to consider the type of curtain pole or track that will be used, as this may affect the measurements. We’ve made measuring a bay window for made to measure curtains simple. If you prefer a tutorial, scroll down for our YouTube video for a step by step guide, or if you’d rather we measured up for you, book in a measuring appointment.

You will need:

  • a metal tape measure
  • a pen or pencil
  • a piece of paper

I already have a pole or track...

01. WIDTH

Measure the total width of your pole/track ((A) to bend (B), bend (B) to bend (C), bend (C) to outer edge of window frame (D)).

02. HEIGHT

Measure from the bottom of the pole/track to the floor in three places and take the longest measurement.

03. DESIGN YOUR CURTAINS

Enter your measurements in our online studio, customise your curtains and get a quick quote.

orange bay window curtains neutral white bay window curtains

I don't have a pole or track...

01. WIDTH

Measure from outer edge of window frame (A) to bend (B), bend (B) to bend (C), bend (C) to outer edge of window frame (D) and the bay opening (A to D).

02. HEIGHT

Measure the height from where you would like to install your pole/track to the floor (we recommend 30cm above the window frame, or more if there’s space).

03. DESIGN YOUR CURTAINS

Enter your measurements in our online studio, customise your curtains and get a quick quote.

grey bay window curtain yellow curtains

Frequently Asked Questions

How wide should my curtains be?

You want to make sure that when your curtains are open they don’t block your windows so that you can maximise natural light into your room. Each curtain heading type stacks back differently, as each heading uses different amounts of fabric. To make sure your curtains don’t block your window when open, you need to add a few centimetres to the width of your window measurement -


Eyelet / Wave - Add 30cm per 1m of window frame


Pencil / Double Pleat / Triple Pleat - Add 40cm per 1m of window frame


Cartridge / Goblet - Add 60cm per 1m of window frame



Check out our table below or feel free to get in touch with our friendly customer team who will be happy to help if you have any questions - hello@stitched.co.uk / 0330 808 1787



Should my curtains touch the floor?

It’s up to you! Having short or long curtains is a style preference. If you opt for long curtains, we have three different types of pooling (sometimes called puddling) which determines the amount of fabric that gathers on the floor. See inspiration and more information here.

Do curtains have seams or joins?

The possible width of a fabric comes from the width of the roll. If your windows are wider than the fabric width then it is necessary to have a vertical join to cover the entire window. The way curtains have pleats and hang means seams are usually less noticeable and hidden in folds of the fabric. In most cases, curtains are a better option for wider windows.

Looking to measure a bay window for blinds?

Take a look at our guide to get your bay window measured for made to measure blinds.