How Many Rings For Curtains Do You Need?
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How Many Rings For Curtains Do You Need?

The length of a curtain rod, along with the width or fullness of the drapery panels determine the total number of drapery rings that will be required.  

 

By following a few guidelines, we have laid out below, you can make sure you choose the right quantity of drapery rings for your specific drapery installation.

 

Pinch Pleat Draperies. By counting the number of pleats, you will have the total of rings required per panel.

pinch pleated drapery with rings

You will then want to add either one or two rings to that number depending on how the panels will be installed.

    If the Pinch Pleated drapery panel will be installed with a return (see below picture) you will add one more ring per panel / pleat.

    pinch pleated drapery panel with return


    The return of a drapery panel is the section of the panel that is closest to the bracket which is folded over the bracket toward the wall and then secured to the wall with a drapery pin into a cup hook or screw. The return conceals the side gap between the drapery panel and the wall or window.

    For example: if your panel has a return and has seven pleats you will need a total of eight rings.  With the return of the drapery secured to the wall, additional rings would not be necessary. But, if your drapery panels do not have a return, you will need to add a total of two rings, so you will need a total of nine rings.


    If you do not have access to your drapery panels, don’t fret. Industry standards are 3 to 4 rings per foot of the width of your drapery panels. But, the industry standard shouldn't be the only method of calculation in this scenario. The ultimate number of rings also depends on drapery fullness desired.

     

    drapery fullness

     

    To determine which quantity of rings is best suited for your application you first need to determine whether you will be using a standard width drapery panel or a full drapery panel.

    • Standard fullness is the width of the window in inches multiplied by 1.5 to 2 times.
    • Full fullness is the width of the window in inches multiplied by 2.5 to 3 times. This fullness offers the most dramatic and luxurious effect.

    Based on that, you will divide the length of your curtain rod in inches by 3 if you will be using standard drapery panels, or by 4 if you will be using full drapery panels to arrive at the number of curtain rod rings you need.

     

    Flat Panel Draperies. Typically, these require a ring every 5-7 inches of panel width, or if they have Back Tabs, then a ring at each back tab and on either end. That is all.

     

    flat panel back tab drapery

     

     

    CWF PRO TIP: Figuring out the spacing of rings on flat panels is more art than science, and it is based on how full or how flat you want your panels to appear.  The fuller the look you seek, the further apart you should space the rings, the flatter the look, the closer. It is really a matter of preference; some customers prefer more rings, while some prefer less.