How to Measure

Measuring for blinds is easy enough that anyone can do it! These simple instructions well help you ensure your custom window coverings are a perfect fit for your windows.

What You Need

Naturally, you will need a tape measure. Metal tape measures work best, especially those with extra stiff blades. You may also need another set of hands to help hold the tape measure up to large windows.

You will also need a sheet of paper to record your measurements. We recommend you print out our measure data sheet (PDF), which will help you keep things neat and organized and also has a summary of these directions for your convenience. If you don't have access to a printer, any sheet of paper will do.

The Technique

The trick to measuring windows for blinds is measuring the window in three places. When measuring the width, measure across the bottom, middle, and top, and write down the smallest of the three, rounding down to the nearest 1/8th inch. Also measure the height in three places, this time taking the longest of the three and rounding up to the nearest 1/8th inch.

Measure all windows, even if they appear to be the same size. The nature of drywall creates small variances between the sizes of two windows that are ostensibly identical. This is also why you measure thrice—windows are frequently wider at the bottom than at the top.

Inside or Out?

Most blinds are mounted inside the window frame such that the bottom of the blind rests on the window sill. This is almost always the preferred method. However, unusual situations often dictate that a blind be mounted outside the window frame. In such cases the brackets are mounted to the wall above and to the sides of the window such that the blind hangs down in front of it.

Inside Mount vs. Outside Mount

A common example of a situation where an outside mount is necessary is an outside-facing door with a window. On such doors you need an outside mount because there is no window frame to mount inside. Additionally, some windows are simply not deep enough to accommodate an inside mount; at least 2 inches of depth is needed for most products.

ProductAdd to WidthAdd to Height
Horizontal Blinds3 in.5 in.
Honeycomb Shades3 in.3 in.
Roller and
Woven Wood		3 in.3 in.
Soft Sheer3 in.3 in.

When choosing an outside mount, you must adjust your measurements so the blind is larger than the window. Please consult the table at right to determine how much you should add to your measurements for the product you are adding. (Note that some situations dictate you add more or less to your measurements depending on how much space is available. The adjustments in the table at right should therefore be taken as guidelines. If you are concerned about whether a blind will fit in a certain situation, please don't hesitate to contact us and we'll be happy to advise you.)

Finally, note that when ordering inside mount, the factory takes necessary deductions from your measurements to ensure a proper fit; conversely, with outside mount blinds no deductions are taken. It is therefore important to select the proper mounting option when ordering your blinds or they will not fit.

That's all! Happy measuring!