How High to Hang Curtain Rods (and Which Curtain Length to Buy)
84, 96 or 108 inches? Hang the rod first, then measure down. Here's where the rod goes on 8, 9 and 10 ft ceilings, how wide it should be, and why 84-inch curtains trip up so many people.
Hoceine
6 min read21 views
In this article
- How high should a curtain rod be above the window?
- How wide should a curtain rod be?
- What length curtains should I buy?
- Why are 84-inch curtains usually too short?
- How full should curtains be?
- Should curtains touch the floor?
- What about two windows close together or a corner?
- Do I hang the rod before I buy curtains?
- Frequently asked questions
On r/InteriorDesign, someone with 9 ft (108 inch) ceilings wrote that they were stuck in a "curtain length dilemma" and couldn't decide how high to hang the rod. Another thread there asked flatly, "How high should the curtain rod be?" And on r/NoStupidQuestions, a first-time buyer admitted they had no idea how to choose a curtain size. The confusion comes from shopping in the wrong order. Most people pick a curtain length first and then hang the rod to suit it. Hang the rod first, then measure.
Short answer: hang the rod 4-6 inches below the ceiling or crown molding, or at least two-thirds of the way up from the top of the window frame to the ceiling. Extend it 8-12 inches past the frame on each side. Measure from the rod (or ring) down to the floor, then buy the next standard length and hem, or hang so the panel just clears the floor.
How high should a curtain rod be above the window?
Avoid mounting the rod right at the window frame on a standard 8-9 ft ceiling. It cuts the wall in half and makes the ceiling look lower. Hanging higher draws the eye up and makes the window look larger.
| Ceiling height | Typical window top | Rod height from floor | Gap below ceiling |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 ft (96 in) | About 80 in | 90-92 in | 4-6 in |
| 9 ft (108 in) | 80-84 in | 100-104 in | 4-8 in |
| 10 ft (120 in) | 84-96 in | 108-114 in | 6-12 in |
| Crown molding | Any | Just below the crown | 1-2 in under crown |
On very tall ceilings (10 ft and up) you don't need to go all the way to the ceiling. Two-thirds up from the window frame looks balanced, and it saves you from custom-length panels.
If there's very little wall above the window, mount the rod as close to the ceiling as you can, or use a ceiling-mounted track.
How wide should a curtain rod be?
Extend the rod 8-12 inches past the window frame on each side, sometimes more. When the curtains are open, the panels should stack on the wall, not over the glass. That lets in more light and makes the window look wider.
Rod width = window width (including trim) + 16 to 24 inches
For a 48-inch window, that's a rod of about 64-72 inches. For a wide window or a sliding door, add even more so the bulky stack clears the opening. The curtain rod length calculator handles brackets and finials, which add a few inches past the rod ends.
What length curtains should I buy?
Standard ready-made lengths in the US are 63, 84, 95 or 96, 108 and 120 inches. Measure from where the curtain will hang (top of the rod for rod-pocket panels, bottom of the ring eyelet for ring clips, top of the rod for grommets) to the floor.
Then choose a look:
| Style | Length vs floor | Feel |
|---|---|---|
| Float | 0.5 in above the floor | Tailored, easy to vacuum, best for most rooms |
| Kiss | Just touches the floor | Precise, needs exact measuring |
| Break | 1-2 in onto the floor | Relaxed, hides uneven floors |
| Puddle | 6+ in onto the floor | Romantic, collects dust, poor with pets |
Our curtain length calculator does this measurement with your rod type, and the curtain calculator works out both width and length together.
Why are 84-inch curtains usually too short?
This is the most common mistake on 8 ft ceilings. If the window top is at 80 inches and you mount the rod 4 inches above it at 84, an 84-inch panel reaches the floor. It fits, but the rod sits low and the room looks squat.
Hang the rod higher at 90-92 inches, where it should be, and 84-inch panels stop 6-8 inches above the floor. People call this "high water" curtains. It's the look nearly everyone in those Reddit threads wanted to avoid.
| Ceiling | Rod at | Measured rod-to-floor | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 ft | 91 in | about 91 in (rings add drop) | 95 or 96 in, hem if needed |
| 9 ft | 102 in | about 102 in | 108 in, hem or break 1-2 in |
| 10 ft | 112 in | about 112 in | 120 in, hem |
So for most 8 ft ceilings buy 95 or 96 inch panels. For 9 ft ceilings buy 108. For 10 ft ceilings buy 120 and hem, or order custom.
How full should curtains be?
Total panel width (all panels added together) should be about 2 to 2.5 times the window width. Less than that and closed curtains look stretched flat. For blackout or bedroom curtains you want the full 2.5x so they close without gaps.
| Window width | Total panel width (2x-2.5x) | 50 in panels needed |
|---|---|---|
| 36 in | 72-90 in | 2 |
| 48 in | 96-120 in | 2-3 |
| 72 in | 144-180 in | 3-4 |
| 96 in (slider) | 192-240 in | 4-5 |
If you only want decorative side panels that never close, one panel per side is fine. See how many curtain panels you need for the full calculation, or use the curtain panels calculator.
Should curtains touch the floor?
Floor-length curtains look finished in living rooms and bedrooms. Shorter curtains, to the sill or just below, make sense above a radiator, a built-in bench, a kitchen sink or in a kids' room where small hands pull at fabric.
If you go sill length, stop half an inch above the sill or 4 inches below it. In between looks like a mistake.
What about two windows close together or a corner?
If two windows are less than about 24 inches apart, run one long rod across both and hang panels at the outer edges (and optionally one in the middle). It turns two small windows into one bigger feature. On a corner, use corner connectors so the rod wraps without a gap.
Do I hang the rod before I buy curtains?
Ideally yes. Mark the rod height with painter's tape, measure from that mark to the floor at both ends of the window (floors are rarely level), and use the shorter number. Then buy panels.
If you want to check the look first, take a photo of the window wall and upload it to the AI room designer. Add a note like "floor-length linen curtains, rod near the ceiling, extended past the window" and compare it with a lower rod. Seeing both versions on your own wall settles it quickly, and free credits on signup cover the test.
For curtain colors and fabrics that suit different rooms, browse cozy living room ideas and small living room ideas.
Frequently asked questions
How high should I hang curtains on an 8 ft ceiling?
Hang the rod about 90-92 inches from the floor, roughly 4-6 inches below the ceiling. Then buy 95 or 96 inch panels.
How far past the window should a curtain rod extend?
8-12 inches on each side. Wider windows and sliding doors benefit from more.
Should curtains be 84 or 96 inches?
On an 8 ft ceiling with the rod hung high, 96 inches is usually right. 84-inch panels often end up several inches above the floor.
What length curtains for 9 ft ceilings?
Usually 108 inches, with the rod about 102-104 inches from the floor.
How do you measure for curtain length?
Measure from the top of the rod (or the bottom of the ring eyelet if using ring clips) down to the floor. Subtract half an inch for a float or add 1-2 inches for a slight break.
