Estimate curtain or drapery cost and fabric yardage from window width, height, fullness and fabric price per yard or meter, plus lining and labor extras.
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Curtain Cost Formula
The calculator runs in three modes. The window estimate mode sizes the fabric based on your window, then prices it. The fabric length mode skips the sizing and prices a length you already know. Price by area uses the rectangular dimensions and rate specified in your supplier quote.
Window estimate mode:
Fabric length mode:
- Width: track or window width.
- Fullness: multiplier for gather, usually 1.8 to 3.0.
- FabricRollWidth: usable fabric width after selvages and side-seam reservations. References are 54 in (137.16 cm) and 110 in (279.4 cm).
- FinishedHeight: the curtain length you want when hung.
- Allowance: extra length per drop for header and hem, with an editable 8 in starting value. Other cutting allowances must be planned separately.
- Drops: number of full fabric widths needed, rounded up.
- FabricLength: total running length of fabric to buy.
- Price and PriceUnit: cost per yard, foot, or meter.
- Extras: lining, rod, labor, and other line items.
Price by area mode:
Billable area = QuotedWidth × QuotedHeight; TotalCost = BillableArea × AreaRate + Extras.
Choose the area convention used in the quote. Window / track dimensions uses the quoted width and drop; flat finished curtain dimensions uses the combined flat width of all panels and their finished height. The calculator does not automatically add fullness, hems, pattern matching, minimum charges or taxes. Use consistent dimension units; the rate can be per square foot or square meter. The exact conversion is 1 ft² = 0.09290304 m². Area and area-priced cost are shown separately from extras; this mode does not calculate fabric yardage or a planning range.
Window mode estimates full-width vertical drops; known-length mode prices a workroom or pattern cutting plan. Both show an illustrative −10% to +15% total-cost scenario, not a measured price range or guaranteed waste allowance.
Typical Values and Price Ranges
These are illustrative fullness choices and price scenarios, not current supplier quotes. Confirm your heading requirements, fabric price and usable width before ordering.
| Curtain style | Fullness | Look |
|---|---|---|
| Flat panel | 1.0x | No gather, modern |
| Tab top, grommet | 1.8x | Light wave |
| Standard pleated | 2.2x | Common pinch pleat |
| Rich folds | 2.5x | Full drape |
| Luxury | 3.0x | Heavy gather, formal |
| Fabric grade | Price per yard | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Low | $6 to $12 | Polyester sheers, basic cotton |
| Standard | $15 to $25 | Cotton blends, faux linen |
| Premium | $28 to $45 | Pure linen, woven jacquard |
| Luxury | $50 to $90+ | Velvet, silk, designer prints |
Worked Example and FAQ
Example. A 72 in track, 84 in finished height, 2.2x fullness, 54 in fabric, 8 in allowance, $18 per yard.
- Full fabric width = 72 * 2.2 = 158.4 in
- Drops = ceil(158.4 / 54) = 3
- Cut height = 84 + 8 = 92 in
- Fabric length = 3 * 92 = 276 in = 7.67 yd
- Cost = (276 ÷ 36) × $18 = $138 in fabric, using unrounded yardage
Why round drops up? This simplified estimate budgets complete fabric widths. A workroom cutting plan may use partial widths or different panel arrangements; use Known fabric length mode for that plan.
Should I add for pattern repeat? Yes. Pattern matching depends on repeat size, orientation and panel arrangement. Obtain a cutting plan; this calculator does not automatically add pattern-repeat, side-hem or shrinkage allowances.
Does the price include lining and labor? Only if entered in Additional costs. Face fabric is priced separately. Obtain actual lining, labor and hardware quotes; the previous $4–$10 per yard and $80–$200 per panel figures are illustrative scenarios, not current market estimates.
Why does the result show a range? The displayed bounds are simply total cost × 0.90 and total cost × 1.15. They illustrate a budget scenario and do not establish typical overrun rates or replace a fabric cutting plan.
