Curtain Fabric Calculator
Estimate the number of full-width fabric drops and total fabric length for straightforward curtains. Include your chosen fullness, top and bottom allowances, and an optional standard vertical pattern repeat.
Scope: this is a full-width-drop estimator. Enter a usable fabric width after any selvedge or seam loss you want to allow for. It does not calculate half-drop matching, shaped curtains, linings, interlinings, returns or heading-specific construction allowances.
Required flat curtain width = track or pole width × fullness. Full fabric widths = that flat width divided by usable fabric width, rounded up. Cut drop = finished drop + top allowance + bottom allowance. If a vertical pattern repeat is entered, each cut drop is rounded up to a complete repeat.
Patterned fabric
The pattern-repeat option assumes a standard vertical repeat. If your fabric uses half-drop matching, a large motif placement or directional cutting, make a manual layout before buying.
Worked example
A 200 cm track at 2× fullness needs 400 cm of flat curtain width. With 138 cm of usable fabric width, that takes 3 full widths. For a 220 cm finished drop plus 10 cm top and 20 cm hem allowance, each drop is 250 cm before any pattern-repeat rounding. Total fabric is 7.50 m.
Common question
Does this include lining? No. Calculate lining separately using its own usable width, finished drop and allowances.
Related sewing tools
Fabric Yardage Calculator · Cushion Cover Calculator · Fabric Shrinkage Calculator
