Curtain Fabric Calculator
How much fabric a pair of curtains needs, counted in whole fabric widths.
Results
Fabric to buy
7.80
m
Fabric widths needed
3
Width
420
cm
What this tool does
Curtains are made from whole widths of fabric joined side by side, so the answer always rounds up. A fullness of 2 gives a normal gathered look; 2.5 to 3 is what heavy pleated curtains use, and patterned fabric needs extra for matching the repeat.
Formula
widths = ⌈pole × fullness ÷ fabric width⌉ ; fabric = widths × (drop + hems)
Variables
| Symbol | Meaning | Unit |
|---|---|---|
w | Track or window width | cm |
f | Fullness ratio | — |
fw | Fabric width | cm |
dr | Finished drop | cm |
hm | Hem and heading allowance | cm |
L | Fabric to buy | m |
N | Fabric widths needed | — |
CW | Width | cm |
Worked example
- Track or window width180 cm
- Fullness ratio2
- Fabric width140 cm
- Finished drop230 cm
- Hem and heading allowance30 cm
- Fabric to buy7.80 m
- Fabric widths needed3
- Width420 cm
Limitations
- Always order a little more material than the calculated quantity. Cuts, breakage and pattern matching create waste that depends on the shape of the job.
- The result is an estimate based only on the values you type. Real situations often include factors this calculator does not know about.