Roman Shade Measuring Guide

A good fit starts with a good measurement. Here's how to get it right.

Measuring for a custom Roman shade can feel a little intimidating the first time — but it really just comes down to a few numbers and a little patience. Grab a steel tape measure (a cloth one can stretch and throw things off), and let's walk through it together.

Mounting Inside the Window Frame

This is the cleaner, more built-in look, where the shade sits inside your window frame.

• Your window frame needs at least 1.5 inches of depth for this to work — check this first before measuring anything else.
• Measure the width between the inside edges of the frame, left to right. Don't worry about leaving extra room yourself — we'll automatically trim a little off the width for you so the shade doesn't rub against the frame as it moves.

Mounting Outside the Window Frame

This look sits just outside the window opening, covering more of the wall — a nice option if you want the window to feel larger or need to hide a shallow frame.

• Leave about 2 inches of flat space above the window molding for mounting. If your molding is extra thick or sticks out from the wall, give yourself 3–4 inches instead.
• Want the room a little darker or more private? Measure your height down to about 2 inches below the windowsill for extra coverage.

How to Measure Depending on Your Style

Where exactly you measure "height" to depends on which Roman shade style you've chosen — each one hangs a little differently.

• Classic or knife pleat: measure to the longest point of the shade.
• Scallop shade or valance: measure to the long point of the scalloped edge.
• Relaxed shade: measure to the short point along the sides, since this style dips gently in the middle.