🪟 Roman Shade Calculator
Calculate exact fabric width, drop height, yardage & fold spacing for perfect Roman shades
| Window Width | Drop Height | Fold Spacing | # Folds | Fabric Yards | Metric (m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 in (61 cm) | 36 in (91 cm) | 8 in | 5 | 1.4 yds | 1.3 m |
| 24 in (61 cm) | 48 in (122 cm) | 8 in | 6 | 1.7 yds | 1.6 m |
| 36 in (91 cm) | 60 in (152 cm) | 9 in | 7 | 2.2 yds | 2.0 m |
| 48 in (122 cm) | 72 in (183 cm) | 10 in | 8 | 3.0 yds | 2.7 m |
| 60 in (152 cm) | 84 in (213 cm) | 12 in | 7 | 3.8 yds | 3.5 m |
| 72 in (183 cm) | 90 in (229 cm) | 12 in | 8 | 4.7 yds | 4.3 m |
| Allowance Type | Imperial Amount | Metric Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Side Hems (each side) | 1.5 in per side | 3.8 cm per side | Fold twice for clean edge |
| Top Allowance | 4 in total | 10 cm | For mounting board attachment |
| Bottom Hem | 6 in total | 15 cm | Includes dowel pocket (1.5 in) |
| Outside Mount Overlap | 3 in per side | 7.6 cm per side | Covers window frame edge |
| Outside Mount Top | 2–4 in above frame | 5–10 cm | Adds visual height |
| Outside Mount Bottom | 2–4 in below sill | 5–10 cm | Ensures full coverage |
| Lining Width | Same as face fabric | Same as face fabric | Cut slightly narrower (0.5 in) |
| Ring Spacing (vertical) | 8–12 in | 20–30 cm | Equals fold spacing |
| Drop Height | 8 in Folds | 9 in Folds | 10 in Folds | 12 in Folds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36 in (91 cm) | 4 folds | 4 folds | 3 folds | 3 folds |
| 48 in (122 cm) | 6 folds | 5 folds | 5 folds | 4 folds |
| 60 in (152 cm) | 7 folds | 6 folds | 6 folds | 5 folds |
| 72 in (183 cm) | 9 folds | 8 folds | 7 folds | 6 folds |
| 84 in (213 cm) | 10 folds | 9 folds | 8 folds | 7 folds |
| 96 in (244 cm) | 12 folds | 10 folds | 9 folds | 8 folds |
Roman shades are made up of fabric panels fitted with sticks and strings, that means they raise and lower. They belong to the most ancient window coverings, with history of almost two thousand years although they changed all along the time to match today’s home needs. Raised, they fold in on themselves, while dropped they open by means of nice cascading flow like a fall.
Those folds form neat pleats, that deliver a rich and full look. The windows like this seem similarly finished as with drapes, even so roman shades fit more exactly to the real size of the window.
All About Roman Shades
Roman shades offer various fabrics, from fully opaque until sheer. The flexible folds allow soft light, what creates warm and attractive feeling in the room. They work well for rooms, bedrooms and otehr spaces.
They never go out of fashion, and they fit any style of home decoration. Even with a small budget, roman shades help add a touch of class to the room.
One important thing too know is, that roman shades usually have white linen on the back. This ensures a clean and uniform look from the street. On the other hand, the raise strings show on the left.
Adding a blackout layer to the back part helps much more effectively block outside light. The price tends to be in the higher range compared to other window coverings, and it depends on the size of the window. The biggest advised measure is around 72 inches broad and 72 inches high.
Cordless versions are available also. Some cordless Roman Shade options use magnets built in the frame to set them at preset heights. That makes them safer for houses with children and pets, because they lack strings that could cause danger.
The smooth cordless system also eases the use. There are also top-down and bottom-up models, that allow the bottom part stay low for privacy while the upper part opens for light. This kind of flexibility really is useful during the day.
Roman shades can be mounted inward or outside of the window frame. Outside setting covers the whole window when closed and the upper frame part when opened. Many like the look, where the shade covers the frame instead of sitting inside it.
For windows that go from wall to wall, roman shades work well, because curtains commonly hardly fit up in the corners. They also come in natural materials like bamboo, that soften the light in a pleasant way.
Some folks make their own roman shades as a homemade project. IKEA offers simple roman shades like the Ringblomma, and clever folks improve them by adding fresh fabric without sewing. Roman shades cancombine with curtains for a layered look, mixing texture with practicality.
