How High to Hang Curtains (and Why Higher Looks Better)

The rules designers use for curtain rod height, worked out for 8, 9 and 10 foot ceilings, with the curtain length that goes with each rod height.

Updated October 8, 2026

Three identical windows on a 9 foot wall with the curtain rod at 84 inches, 99 inches and 106 inches, needing 84, 96 and 108 inch curtains

The rule most people follow: hang the rod at least 4–6 inches above the window frame. The rule designers follow: go higher, about two-thirds of the way from the top of the window to the ceiling, or just below the ceiling or crown molding. A higher rod makes the window look bigger and the ceiling taller, as long as the curtains still reach the floor.

Three common rod heights

Using the same window (top of trim at 80 inches, the usual height in US homes) on a 9-foot wall:

Rod position	Rod height from the floor	Floor-length curtains
4 in above the window	84 in	84 in
⅔ of the way to the ceiling	about 99 in	96 in (rod at 96½ in)
Just below the ceiling	106 in	108 in (hem 2½ in, or let it touch the floor)

The curtain length is the rod height minus about ½ inch, for curtains that float just above the floor. Then round to a standard length (63, 84, 95, 96, 108 or 120 in) and nudge the rod up or down to match.

By ceiling height

Ceiling	Space above an 80 in window	Rod ⅔ of the way up	Curtains
8 ft (96 in)	16 in	about 91 in	84 in (rod at 84½ in) or 95 in (rod near the ceiling)
9 ft (108 in)	28 in	about 99 in	96 in
10 ft (120 in)	40 in	about 107 in	108 in

For your own window, the curtain calculator works out the rod height and curtain length for any ceiling.

When to hang lower

Very tall windows that already reach near the ceiling: put the rod 2–4 inches above the frame, or just below the ceiling.
Windows that are close to the ceiling: leave at least 1 inch above the rod for the brackets and finials, or use ceiling-mount brackets.
Sill-length or café curtains, like in kitchens: hang the rod just above the frame, or inside it.

How to mark the height

Measure up from the floor, not from the window, and mark the rod height on both sides. Floors and ceilings are often more level than window frames.
Check the marks with a level before drilling.
Mark the bracket positions about 2 inches in from each end of the rod, which puts them roughly 6–10 inches out from the window trim.

The curtain size calculator has a “rod height” option for ⅔-up and ceiling-height rods and works out the curtain length for you. For the rest of the process, see how to measure for curtains.

Frequently asked questions

How high above the window should a curtain rod be?

At least 4 to 6 inches above the window frame. Many designers go higher, about two-thirds of the way from the top of the window to the ceiling, because it makes the window and the room look taller.

Should curtains go all the way to the ceiling?

They can, and it's a popular look in rooms with low ceilings: a rod just below the ceiling, or a ceiling-mounted track, draws the eye up. You'll usually need 95–96 inch curtains for 8-foot ceilings and 108 inch curtains for 9-foot ceilings.

How high should curtains be with 8 foot ceilings?

With a typical window top at 80 inches, there are only 16 inches above the window. Hang the rod 4 inches above it (84 inches from the floor) for 84-inch curtains, or near the ceiling, about 94 inches, for 95-inch curtains that just touch the floor.

Do all curtain rods in a room need to be the same height?

Yes, ideally. If windows in the same room have different heights, hang all the rods at the same height, set by the tallest window, so the curtains line up.