Best Length for Bedroom Curtains: Where They Should Land
Floor-length curtains look finished and block more light. Measure from the rod, not the window, and aim for a hem half an inch off the floor.
By Jamilur Rahman Updated November 5, 2026 · 6 min read
- Time
- 15 min
- Cost
- $20-$50
- Difficulty
- Easy
In this guide
Quick answer
What is the best length for bedroom curtains? Floor length: the hem should just touch the floor or hover about half an inch above it. Measure from where the rod will sit to the floor, not from the top of the window, then subtract half an inch. Most store panels come in 84 inches, which is too short for a rod hung high, so a high rod usually means extra-long panels.
Free fix vs. permanent fix
Measure, then raise the rod
- Measure from the rod height to the floor
- Place the rod 4 to 6 inches above the window frame
- Extend the rod 4 to 8 inches past each side of the frame
How long it lasts: Permanent once the rod is in the right place. It costs nothing if you already own the curtains.
Extra-long curtain panels
When the rod goes up, a standard 84-inch panel ends in mid-air. Extra-long panels in 96, 108 or 120 inches reach the floor and block more light. The measuring decides the length. The panels make it possible.
What to get: Extra-long bedroom curtain panels
How long it lasts: Years. They hang right for the life of the room.
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What you'll need
-
Tape measure
Metal, so it stays straight against the wall
You have it -
Pencil and painter's tape
Mark the rod height without making a hole
You have it -
Step stool
To reach the rod height safely
You have it - Our pick Illustration
Extra-long curtain panels
Pick 96, 108 or 120 inches to match your measurement
- Illustration
Iron-on hem tape
Trim a long panel to the exact length with no sewing
Why it happens
Measuring from the window, not the rod
The most common mistake. A panel sized to the window frame ends a few inches above the floor once the rod is mounted higher.
Buying the standard 84-inch panel
Eighty-four inches suits a rod hung about 85 inches off the floor. On a taller wall, or with the rod hung high, it ends well short.
A rod that is too low
A rod right above the frame makes the window and ceiling look shorter and lets light leak above the panel.
Something under the window
A radiator, a desk or a bed headboard can force a shorter curtain on purpose. That is fine, as long as it is a clear, even length.
Try this first (free)
Do these in order, starting with the simplest.
-
Decide where the rod goes
Tool used: Pencil and painter's tapeMount it 4 to 6 inches above the window frame, or closer to the ceiling for more height. Mark the spot with painter's tape.
-
Measure from the rod to the floor
Tool used: Tape measureHold the tape measure at the rod mark and run it straight down to the floor. Subtract half an inch for a hover, or use the full number for a hem that just touches.
-
Match the number to a panel length
Round up to the nearest size: 84, 96, 108 or 120 inches. A panel that is too long can be shortened. One that is too short cannot be fixed.
-
Hang the rod wider than the window
Tool used: Step stoolExtend the rod 4 to 8 inches past each side of the frame so the open curtain does not cover the glass. For a bedroom, this also cuts light leaks at the edges.
-
Check fullness
Panels should add up to roughly twice the width of the rod for a full, gathered look. Flat, narrow panels let light through the gaps.
When free fixes aren't enough
Measuring is the free fix, and it solves most length problems. Where it falls short is a high rod on a tall wall, where an 84-inch panel simply cannot reach the floor. Extra-long panels solve that in one purchase. If you buy panels too long, iron-on hem tape shortens them without a needle. If a radiator or heater sits under the window, keep the curtains clear of it and use a shorter length instead.
Buy the fix
Still stuck after the free fixes? These are the products we would look at.
| Pick | Product | Fixes | Who it's for | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best pick | Extra-long bedroom curtain panels | curtains that stop short of the floor when the rod is hung high | Anyone hanging a rod above the frame, or with an 8-foot or taller ceiling. | Check price |
| Budget pick | Iron-on hem tape | a panel that is a few inches too long, with no sewing | Someone buying long to be safe and trimming to the exact length. | Check price |
Extra-long bedroom curtain panels
Fixes: curtains that stop short of the floor when the rod is hung high
Look for: A length that matches your rod-to-floor measurement, in 96, 108 or 120 inches; Blackout or thermal lining if you want to block light; Enough total width, about twice the rod length; A header that fits your rod: grommet, rod pocket or clip rings.
- Who it's for
- Anyone hanging a rod above the frame, or with an 8-foot or taller ceiling.
- Honest downside
- A radiator or heater sits under the window. Use a shorter panel there.
Iron-on hem tape
Fixes: a panel that is a few inches too long, with no sewing
Look for: A width that suits curtain-weight fabric; A fusible bond that survives washing; Enough tape for the full panel width.
- Who it's for
- Someone buying long to be safe and trimming to the exact length.
- Honest downside
- Your curtains are delicate, heavily lined or fringed. Have them hemmed.
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How we picked: How we picked: this page is based on window treatment sizing guides, curtain maker instructions and the fit problems that owners report in reviews. We do not test products by hand.
Quick guide: rod height to panel length
- Rod about 85 inches off the floor: 84-inch panels are enough.
- Rod about 90 to 95 inches: 96-inch panels, hemmed if you want to trim.
- Rod about 100 to 107 inches: 108-inch panels.
- Rod about 110 to 119 inches: 120-inch panels.
Always measure your own wall. Ceilings and floors are rarely level.
What to skip
Window-sill length curtains in a bedroom
Short panels let light spill under them and look a bit unfinished. They make sense over a radiator or a desk, but in most bedrooms floor length is both neater and darker.
Frequently asked questions
What is the right bedroom curtains size for a standard window?
Bedroom curtains not floor length: is that OK?
Bedroom curtains not to the floor: how do I fix them?
Should bedroom curtains touch the floor or hover?
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