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Home / How to Measure for Bay Window Curtain Rods

How to Measure for Bay Window Curtain Rods

how to measure bay windows

In this guide you will find all the information required for you to measure your bay window, which will enable you to order and fit your chosen bay window treatment.

If you require any further information, for instance if your bay window is an unusual shape, then please use the Live Help button or call our helpful team on the number provided.

  • Measuring Bay Windows for Curtain Poles and Tracks

  • How to Measure the Width Inside a Bay Window

  • Choosing a Bay Window Treatment

  • BACK to Bay Window Guides HOME

Tips and Advice to Measure for Bay Window Poles and Tracks Back to top

You can measure in Centimetres or Inches.

You Will Need

Tool for measuring a bay window A tape measure (metal ones are best)

A pencil ( a pencil is better than a pen as you can remove the marks more easily) and paper

A pair of steps

All our products are shown in centimetres and inches so it does not matter whichever you choose.

Measure the bay roughly in the position you intend to fit the pole or track.

We do not advise measuring for the pole or track on the window sill as the area above can vary quite a lot. It is always best to measure your bay window at the location where the product is to be fitted. This is particularly crucial when measuring for Made to Measure Bay Poles and Tracks.

Assistance is recommended when taking the measurements and fitting the pole or track.

An extra pair of hands makes measuring a large bay window easier and more accurate. Always have a pencil and paper handy to write the measurements down and keep the paper handy as you may well need to refer to it when fitting the pole or track.

For extra strength, fit the pole or track to a wooden batten.

If your curtains are heavy or your walls are not very stable, we strongly recommend fitting your track or pole to a wooden batten.

Bay window poles and tracks are not suitable for all types of curtains.

Eyelet, slot headed and tab top curtains will not work in a bay window, as they cannot pass over the corner joints unless they are fitted as individual curtains on separate sections of pole or track.

Measuring Instructions for Bay Window Poles and TracksBack to top

First you will need to decide if you want your pole or track to finish inside the bay, in which case you will see the side of the curtains or if you want them to extend out of the bay, in which case you will see the front of the curtains facing you as you look into the bay.

Now count the number of sides in your bay window. A side in a bay window is any flat section. Count each flat section in the bay window, which gives you the number of sides.

Your bay may have small sections of wall on each side of the bay.

The diagram below shows the normal location of these sections of wall,  highlighted in red. These may need to be included in your measurement of the last sections.

how to measure bay windows

Factors that determine if you should include these sections of wall in your measurements

Section of wall longer than 25cm (10") - include these when counting the number of sides. Do not include if 25cm or shorter.

The four points below should be considered in case they affect your decision.

  • Can the curtains be contained within the bay without obstructing the side windows?
  • Do you require your curtains to finish right at the end of the bay?
  • If the bay has a deep window sill e.g. 20cm (8") or above and your curtains are full length, then include these wall sections when counting the amount of bay sides.
  • If you have curtains that finish above the window sill do not include these sections of wall in your measurements.

You should now be able to determine which is your bay window style and make your choice from the available bay window treatments after you have taken the required measurements

How to Measure the Width Inside the Bay WindowBack to top

Measure around the inside of your bay where you wish your curtains to cover, this will then allow you to choose the correct length of pole or track required.

You may wish your curtains to finish inside the bay, in which case you will see the edges of the curtains as you look into the bay.

Alternatively you may wish to extend your curtains out of the bay so that they frame the window and you will see the front of the curtains. This option is often the most attractive, but may not always be possible if there is a returning wall at the end of the bay section.

Three Sided Square Bay Window

measuring poles and tracks for bays

Three Sided Angled or Splay Bay Window

measuring splay bays

Five Sided Angled or Splay Bay Window

measuring 5 sided bays

Measuring for Bay Curtain Poles

Start at one end of the bay and measure the wall where the pole is to be fitted (excluding finials). Measure across this section of wall to where it meets at the angle of the next section of wall. Write down the measurement and then measure across to the next section of wall, continuing around the bay to where the pole or track is to finish. Add these up to give the total length of your bay. You will now be able to start shopping for Pre-packed Bay Poles, Create Your Own Bay Poles or a Made to Measure Bay Pole.

Measuring for Bay Curtain Tracks

Start at one end of the bay window where the curtain track is to start. Measure across this section of wall to where it meets at the angle of the next section of wall. Write down the measurement and then measure across to the next section of wall, continuing around the bay to where the track is to finish. Add these measurements up to give you your total required track length. Please visit our shop to see our ranges of Plastic and Metal Bay Window Track.

Choosing a Bay Window Treatment

Now that you have your bay measurements and number of sides, decide whether you want a curtain pole or track.

Click on the links below to shop for products that are specifically designed to fit in your particular bay window.

                                                                                            Bay Curtain Tracks

  • 2 Sided Curtain Track (L-shaped)

  • 3 Sided Curtain Tracks (2 angles)

  • 4 Sided Curtain Tracks (3 angles)

  • 5 Sided Curtain Tracks (4 angles)

  • 6 Sided Curtain Tracks (5 angles)

  • Curved Bay Curtain Tracks (4 angles)

                                                                                            Bay Curtain Poles

  • 3 Sided Curtain Poles (2 angles)

  • 5 Sided Curtain Poles (4 angles)

How to Measure for Bay Window Curtain Rods

Source: https://www.polesandblinds.com/bay-windows-measuring-poles-and-tracks