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Measuring for blinds may be somewhat daunting, but it's actually quite straightforward and easy to do. This article provides simple instructions for measuring both inside and outside windows.
Things You Should Know
- For inside-mount blinds, use a tape measure to find the width of the window. Then, measure the length of the window.
- To measure outside-mount blinds, select a spot for the mount that’s about 1 ½-3 inches (3.8-7.6 cm) above the window.
- Then, measure from the mount location to about 2-4 inches (5.1-10.2 cm) below the window. Find the width of the window and add 2-4 inches for each side.
Steps
Inside mounted blinds are mounted inside the window frame for a neater look. This is the most popular method, if the window depth allows it.
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Be sure to measure accurately. If the window is set in a deep recess, fitting the blind inside makes for a neat finish. But mistakes in measurements can ruin them altogether. -
Measure for width. Measure the width of the recess in three places: at the top, at the middle, and at the bottom. Make sure you hold both ends of the tape on the inside edges of the recess. Note the smallest measurement, as it will be the one you use.Advertisement
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Measure for height. Measure the height of the window recess three times: at the left, in the center, and at the right. Make sure you hold both ends of the tape on the inside edges of the recess. Note the longest measurement, as it will be the one you use.
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Outside mounted blinds are mounted on the wall outside the window frame. This is not the preferred method, but an insufficient window depth may require this type of mounting.
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Determine where the mount will be. It should be placed 1 1 ⁄ 2 to 3 inches (3.8 to 7.6 cm) above the window.
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Measure for height. Measure from the proposed location of the mount down to 2–4 inches (5.1–10.2 cm) below the bottom of the window. This extra overlap is to block out light and ensure privacy.
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Measure for width. For the width of any set of blinds, carefully measure the width of the window and add between 2 and 4 inches on each side.
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Community Q&A
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QuestionCan I mount blinds on the wall above the window?Justin KirkmanCommunity AnswerYes, you can. There should be a 4x8 header beam that runs above the entire length of the window.
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Tips
- Always use a steel tape measure for accuracy.Thanks
- Always measure at least twice before recording your final measurement.Thanks
- Always clearly indicate which measurement is the width and which is the height. It's very common for people to swap measurements if you are not careful, so always indicate the width measurement first, then the height last (W x H).Thanks
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Things You'll Need
- Stepladder
- Metal measuring tape
- Pencil
- Paper
About This Article
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 115,112 times.
Reader Success Stories
- "I live in a apartment and need to replace 6 window blinds, and needed to be sure I knew how to measure correctly. Your instructions were perfect for me. Simple and clear, as I knew 0 about correct way to measure." ..." more
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"I live in a apartment and need to replace 6 window blinds, and needed to be sure I knew how to measure correctly. Your instructions were perfect for me. Simple and clear, as I knew 0 about correct way to measure."
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"I bought blinds based on my eyesight! What a mistake. After viewing this article, I will definitely measure correctly and purchase the right size blinds. Thanks!"
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"It clarified an argument we had in the office about measuring for blinds."
