How To Measure For Blinds In A Few Steps

Measuring your windows for blinds is important for a number of reasons. Correctly fitted blinds will work as efficiently as possible, keeping your home private and blocking out any unwanted light or elements you want to keep out. Incorrectly measured blinds could have to be refitted, which just costs you more time and money, meaning it is important to know how to measure for blinds at home.

This guide is an overarching view of how to measure blinds effectively and should be your first port of call. You can also find an array of useful guides for specific types of blinds here:

Choosing How To Measure Blinds For Your Windows

When it comes to measuring your blinds, you must choose whether you want an inside or outside mount. This choice will affect both the appearance of the blinds and the process of installing them.

Suitable styles of blinds for inside mount fittings are Venetian blinds and Vertical blinds, whereas outside mount fittings are better suited for Roman or Roller blinds. Please note that these blinds can be used on either kind of mount, but certain styles suit an inside or outside mount better.

How To Measure For Blinds On An Inside Recess

For an inside mount fitting, your window’s depth should be at least 60mm deep so there is room for the blinds to fit inside neatly. Ensure this is the case as if the depth isn’t deep enough, the blinds won’t fit and could protrude out of the recess. To measure for an inside mount, follow these steps:

On a piece of paper, draw either a rectangle or square to represent the window frame. Give each window a label, such as “kitchen window, left side”, to avoid confusion.
Place a tape measure inside the window recess. Be sure to measure from one end of the frame to the next - a process that must be done at the top and bottom to get accurate measurements for the blinds. Write this down as the width.
Measure the vertical drop from the inside recess’ top to the window sill’s base. Write it down as the length of the window frame.
Measure the width and length again to ensure accuracy.

Measuring Blinds For An Outside Recess

For an outside mount, if you have a window without architraves, add at least 100mm to the width and length of the original measurements. You will also have to account for locating the stud embedded into a plaster or gyprock wall when installing Roller or Roman blinds. The stud will be used to secure the blinds and therefore provide it with the required strong support to hold the weight.

For a window with architraves, which may have a metal or timber frame for example, follow these steps below. For those without architraves, study the information above alongside these tips:

Draw a rectangle or square on a piece of paper to represent the window frame.
Place the edge of the tape measure on the outer edge of the architrave and pull the rest of the tape to the opposite edge. Write the number down as the width.
Measure the vertical length from the architrave’s top to the edge where the blind will likely end. You can choose to let the blinds end at the window’s edge or at the floor.
Double-check both of these measurements.

Consider what you have read today before installing a new set of blinds. By ensuring you are correctly measuring and fitting your blinds, your windows will look and perform as best they can.

See our calculators here for some assistance in choosing the right product for you, and check out our full collection of blinds too.