🪟 Shutter Size Calculator
Get exact panel width, louver count & order dimensions for plantation shutters
| Window Width | 2 Panels Each | 3 Panels Each | 4 Panels Each |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24 in (61 cm) | 12 in (30.5 cm) | 8 in (20.3 cm) | 6 in (15.2 cm) |
| 30 in (76 cm) | 15 in (38.1 cm) | 10 in (25.4 cm) | 7.5 in (19 cm) |
| 36 in (91 cm) | 18 in (45.7 cm) | 12 in (30.5 cm) | 9 in (22.9 cm) |
| 48 in (122 cm) | 24 in (61 cm) | 16 in (40.6 cm) | 12 in (30.5 cm) |
| 60 in (152 cm) | 30 in (76.2 cm) | 20 in (50.8 cm) | 15 in (38.1 cm) |
| 72 in (183 cm) | 36 in (91.4 cm) | 24 in (61 cm) | 18 in (45.7 cm) |
| Panel Height | 2.5 in Louver | 3.5 in Louver | 4.5 in Louver |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24 in (61 cm) | 9 | 6 | 5 |
| 36 in (91 cm) | 14 | 10 | 8 |
| 48 in (122 cm) | 19 | 13 | 10 |
| 60 in (152 cm) | 24 | 17 | 13 |
| 72 in (183 cm) | 28 | 20 | 16 |
| 84 in (213 cm) | 33 | 24 | 18 |
| Mount Type | Width Adjustment | Height Adjustment | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inside Mount | Deduct 0.25 in per side | Exact window height | Clean, recessed look |
| Outside Mount | Add 1–2 in each side | Add 2–3 in top, 1–2 in bottom | Light blockage, small windows |
| Full Height | Per mount type above | Full window height | Bedrooms, living rooms |
| Café Style | Per mount type above | Bottom 50% of height | Kitchens, bathrooms |
| Tier-on-Tier | Per mount type above | Two independent sections | Flexible privacy control |
Choosing the right size of shutters for windows can seem a bit hard but mostly deals with some simple rules. Usually, every shutter is about half of the width of the window that it matches so that closed they fully cover the window. For instance, if window is 36 inches, then each shutter ideally is 18 inches wide.
So the width normally is 50% of the window width, and the length must cover the window, not the whole frame.
How to Choose the Right Shutter Size
If you want exterior shutters to look as if they really work, choose width equal to 50% of the width of the glass plus only the window frame, without the trim. Even so, if that style does not please, you can use 18-inch wide shutters and they still will look quite well. It matters that the shutters look as if they could cover the whole window when closed, even if they are only fancy.
Different regions have different customs about the width of the side panels because architecture follows local traditions. In some places 12-inch wide shutters are the common choice regardless of the window size. Elsewhere you favor shutters that match with the glass of the window.
Those little fancy panels that do not match the window size today are looked at as ugly and misformad. To look really well, the panels should be sized like actual working shutters, the same size as the window.
Vinyl louver shutters come in two widths: 12 inches and 14.5 inches, and in several heights, from 25 inches to 80 inches. Standard vinyl shutters come in heights like 35, 39, 43, 47, 51, 55, 59, 63, 67 and 71 inches. Usually you are advised to choose the nearest available height.
If the window height falls right between two standard heights, it is better to round up to the next available size. Vinyl shutters also are sold in range of heights with quarter-inch increases. The sizes are nominal, and the actual height can vary by 1/8 inch more or less than ordered.
For brick houses, it is smart to order a bit more height. A shutter exactly according to the window frame can look too small beside brick window or door opening when you look from a distance. If there is trim around arched opening, add the width of the trim to the first height measure.
Plantation shutters range according to louver size of 1-7/8 inches to 3-1/2 inches. The frames, stiles and rails are mostly 1 to 1-1/4 inches thick, no matter what the louver size. In some of the bigger sizes, the pin for tilt the sheet is a bit moved away from the center to reduce the depth.
About louver choice, 3.5-inch louvers seem to be the standard, but 4.5-inch sheets become the new late choice. Depending on the shutter size and amount, new shutters can cost around $30 to $80 per pair.
