Before You Get Started
![]()
Mount Type
Inside mount blinds are installed inside the window frame or casing. Outside mounts are installed above the window molding.
![]()
Tools You'll Need
For the most efficient measuring, you'll need a steel measuring tape, pen/pencil, paper, and a step ladder (if necessary)
![]()
Download Worksheet
Download our Measuring Worksheet to easily mark down your window's dimensions correctly
Measuring Video Guide
Browse Guides
Measuring Guide by Topic
Measuring For Inside Mount Blinds
1. Measure Window Depth
Measure the depth of the window frame, beginning at the top of the window, where the brackets will be installed. If the depth of your window frame is less than 2.4”, or you have an obstruction (lever, crank), we recommend choosing an outside mount instead.
2. Measure Window Width
You’ll need to record three separate measurements, each from left to right. Measure the top of the window frame, the center, and the bottom. If these measurements differ, use the shortest measurement of the three as your window width. There is no need to deduct any measurements, we will make the appropriate deductions when manufacturing your blinds.
3. Measure Window Height
You’ll need to record three separate measurements, each from top to bottom. Measure the left, center, and right sides of your window frame. If these measurements differ, use the longest measurement of the three as your window height.
Measuring For Outside Mount Blinds
1. Measure Surface Area
Measure the surface area above your window frame or molding, to ensure that you have at least 2” of flat vertical space to install your headrail. Make a mark where you wish your headrail, or top, of your smart blinds to be installed.
2. Measure Window Height
Measure from top to bottom, using the mark you’ve just made as the top. We recommend at least 3” of overlap to ensure the best light gap coverage and privacy.
3. Measure Window Width
Measure the exact width you wish your smart blinds to be, from left to right. We recommend at least 1.5” of overlap for shades or blinds. For vertical blinds, solar shades, and roller shades, we recommend at least 2” of overlap. If you have any obstructions on your wall, you can use extension brackets to ensure your blinds extend far enough away to avoid them.
Outdoor Helpful Hints
How to Measure Your Window
How to Measure Multiple Shades in One Window
![]()
Inside Mount
Width 1 Order Width = A
Width 2 Order Width = B
Width 3 Order Width = C
![]()
Outside Mount
Width 1 Order Width = A + 2-3"
Width 2 Order Width = B
Width 3 Order Width = C + 2-3"
Measuring Guide by Collection
Roller Shades
How to Measure
Check for obstacles like cranks or handles before measuring.
Fabric Note
The visible fabric is approximately 13/16 inch (3 cm) narrower than the ordered valance width.
Inside Mount
• Width: Measure exact top width inside frame. Order at the exact opening size — factory automatically deducts ~1/8 inch (3.2 mm).
• Height: Measure middle height inside frame. Order exact.
Outside Mount
Add 3–6 inches (7.6–15.2 cm) total to desired coverage for both width and height.
Minimum & Recommended Depth
• Deco Bar: Min 1¾" | Rec 2 7/16"
• Cassette: Min 1¾" | Rec 3 5/16"
• Square: Min 2" | Rec 3½"
• Silver Anodized Square: Min 1¾" | Rec 3¼"
Extension brackets available for shallower frames. For splayed frames, always use the shortest width.
Cellular Shades
How to Measure
Check for obstacles like cranks or handles before measuring.
Fabric Note
The visible fabric is approximately 3/16 inch (5 mm) narrower than the ordered valance width.
Inside Mount
• Width: Measure the top, center, and bottom of the window frame. Use the smallest measurement. Order at the exact opening size — no customer deductions. Factory automatically deducts ~1/8 inch (3.2 mm) for Hazel or ~3/16 inch (5 mm) for Nowa.
• Height: Measure the left, middle, and right sides of the frame. Use the smallest measurement. Order exact.
Outside Mount
Add 2–6 inches (5.1–15.2 cm) total to your desired coverage for both width and height.
Minimum & Recommended Depth
• Hazel: Min 7/8" | Rec >2"
• Nowa: Min 2" | Rec >2 3/4"
Extension brackets available for shallower frames. For splayed or recessed frames, always use the shortest width.
Zebra Shades
How to Measure
Check for obstacles like cranks or handles before measuring.
Fabric Note
The visible fabric is approximately 13/16 inch (3 cm) narrower than the ordered valance width.
Inside Mount
• Width: Measure the top width inside the frame. Order at the exact opening size — factory automatically deducts ~1/8 inch (3.2 mm).
• Height: Measure the middle height inside the frame. Order exact.
Outside Mount
Add 3–6 inches (7.6–15.2 cm) total to desired coverage for both width and height.
Minimum & Recommended Depth
• Deco Bar: Min 1¾" | Rec 2 7/16"
• Cassette: Min 1¾" | Rec 3 5/16"
• Square: Min 2" | Rec 3½"
• Silver Anodized Square: Min 1¾" | Rec 3¼"
Extension brackets available for shallower frames. For splayed frames, always use the shortest width.
Multi Blind Alignment
For a uniform look when installing multiple Zebra shades on the same wall, we recommend ordering them together in a single order from the same fabric batch.
Woven Wood Shades
How to Measure
Check for obstacles like cranks or handles before measuring.
Fabric Note
The visible fabric is approximately 3/16 inch (5 mm) narrower than the ordered valance width.
Inside Mount
• Width: Measure top, center, and bottom (use the smallest measurement). Order at the exact opening size — no customer deductions. Factory automatically deducts 5/16 inch (8 mm).
• Height: Measure left, middle, and right (use the smallest measurement). Order exact.
Outside Mount
Add 3–6 inches (7.6–15.2 cm) total to desired coverage for both width and height.
Minimum & Recommended Depth
• Default: Min 1 7/8" (4.8 cm) | Rec >3 11/16" (9.4 cm)
Extension brackets available for shallower frames. For splayed frames, always use the shortest width.
Dual Shades
How to Measure
Check for obstacles like cranks or handles before measuring.
Fabric Note
The visible fabric is approximately 1 3/16 inch narrower than the ordered valance width.
Inside Mount
• Width: Measure top width inside frame. Order at the exact opening size without customer deductions. Factory automatically deducts 1 3/16 inch.
• Height: Measure middle height inside frame. Order exact.
Minimum & Recommended Depth
• Standard Valance: Min 3 7/8" (9.8 cm)
• Cassette Valance: Min 4" (10.2 cm)
Extension brackets available for shallower frames. For splayed frames, always use the shortest width.
Drapery & Curtains
How to Measure
Height Measurement
Measure from the exact location you want the shades to cover. The default position of the tracks is 2 inches (5 cm) above the window. Our factory automatically deducts 1/2 inch (1.5 cm) from the height to prevent the fabric from dragging on the ground.
Order Height = Fabric Height + 2.5 inches (6.5 cm).
Wall to Wall
• Width: Measure the precise width from wall to wall and round down to the nearest 1/8 inch. Order at the exact opening size with no deductions.
• Drapery: This measurement determines the length of the drapery rod.
• Curtain: This measurement represents the total width of the curtain rod, including the decorative header.
When fully opened, the fabric will gather to about 20% of the total width (10% fabric stack on each side).
Window Trim to Window Trim
• Width: Measure the precise width of the window trim to the opposite window trim and round down to the nearest 1/8 inch. Order at the exact opening size with no deductions.
To prevent obstruction when fully opened, add the following:
• Window widths 59–106 inches: add 28 inches
• Window widths 107–162 inches: add 36 inches
• Window widths 163–220 inches: add 44 inches
This applies to both Drapery and Curtain.
Roman Shades
How to Measure
Check for obstacles like cranks or handles before measuring.
Fabric Note
The visible fabric is approximately 1/8 inch (3 mm) narrower than the ordered valance width.
Inside Mount
• Width: Measure top, center, and bottom (use the smallest measurement). Order at the exact opening size without customer deductions. Factory automatically deducts 1/8 inch (3.2 mm).
• Height: Measure middle height inside frame. Order exact.
Outside Mount
Add 5–8 inches (12.7–20.3 cm) total to desired coverage for both width and height.
Minimum & Recommended Depth
• Standard Valance: Min 1 3/4" (4.5 cm) | Rec >2 3/4" (7 cm)
Extension brackets available for shallower frames. For splayed frames, always use the shortest width.
Solar Shades
How to Measure
Check for obstacles like cranks or handles before measuring.
Fabric Note
The visible fabric is approximately 13/16 inch (3 cm) narrower than the ordered valance width.
Inside Mount
• Width: Measure exact top width inside frame. Order at the exact opening size — factory automatically deducts ~1/8 inch (3.2 mm).
• Height: Measure middle height inside frame. Order exact.
Outside Mount
Add 3–6 inches (7.6–15.2 cm) total to desired coverage for both width and height.
Minimum & Recommended Depth
• Deco Bar: Min 1¾" | Rec 2 7/16"
• Cassette: Min 1¾" | Rec 3 5/16"
• Square: Min 2" | Rec 3½"
• Silver Anodized Square: Min 1¾" | Rec 3¼"
Extension brackets available for shallower frames. For splayed frames, always use the shortest width.
Skylight Shades
How to Measure
Check for obstacles like cranks or handles before measuring.
• Use a steel tape measure only.
• Measure to the nearest 1/8 inch. Never round to the nearest half or whole inch.
• Measure each window individually.
• Skylight Cellular Shades are not recommended for potentially moist situations.
Inside Mount
• Width: Measure top, center, and bottom (use the smallest measurement). Order at the exact opening size without customer deductions. Factory automatically deducts 1/8 inch (3.2 mm).
• Height: Measure left, middle, and right (use the smallest measurement). Order exact.
Minimum & Recommended Depth
• Minimum 1 3/4" (4.5 cm)
Outdoor Shades
How to Measure
Check for obstacles like cranks or handles before measuring.
Fabric Note
The visible fabric is approximately 2 1/8 inch (5.4 cm) narrower than the ordered valance width.
Inside Mount
• Width: Measure the top width inside the frame. Order at the exact opening size without customer deductions. Factory automatically deducts 1/8 inch (3.2 mm).
• Height: Measure the middle height inside the frame. Order exact.
Outside Mount
Add 2–6 inches (5.1–15.2 cm) total to desired coverage for both width and height.
Minimum & Recommended Depth
• Standard Valance: Min 2 1/8" (5.4 cm) | Rec 3 1/8" (8 cm)
• Oversized Valance: Min 2 1/8" (5.4 cm) | Rec 3 3/4" (9.5 cm)
For outside mount, the minimum required length for the flat space above the opening is 3 1/8" (7.9 cm).
Extension brackets available for shallower frames. For splayed frames, always use the shortest width.
Side By Side Gaps
When installing multiple adjacent outdoor shades, the distance between the guide wires and the valance is:
1 1/8" (28 mm) | 2 1/8" (54 mm) | 1" (26 mm)