How to Measure a Shower Opening for a Custom Curtain

To measure a shower opening for a custom curtain, measure the clear width between the finished walls or other fixed boundaries, then measure the required curtain drop from the installed rod to the tub or floor. Check the width at the top, middle, and bottom of the opening, and use the largest reading when ordering a curtain intended to cover the full span. Record the rod position, desired overlap, and any hardware or profile details as well; these affect the finished curtain size.

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At Huabao, we work with plastic profiles and understand that accurate opening measurements help buyers communicate requirements for custom shower products. The guide below explains how to take the measurements, choose a suitable curtain width and drop, and share the details with a supplier.

Quick measurement checklist

Measure the finished opening from one side boundary to the other.
Check the width at the top, middle, and bottom; record all three readings.
Measure vertically from the rod’s planned position to the tub or floor.
Specify whether your measurements describe the opening or the curtain itself.
Note desired fullness, overlap, installation method, and any profiles or obstructions.

What to measure before ordering

Opening width

Use a rigid tape measure and measure between the surfaces that will define the curtain’s coverage. For a recessed shower, that is usually the finished wall-to-wall distance. For an open-sided installation, measure from the wall to the point where the curtain should end, rather than assuming the tub’s full length is the correct curtain width.

Take three horizontal readings: near the top, halfway down, and near the bottom of the intended curtain area. Walls, tubs, and enclosures may not be perfectly parallel, so the measurements can differ. Record each one instead of averaging them; for a curtain that must cover the whole opening, the widest reading is generally the safer width reference.

Curtain drop

Measure vertically from the planned or installed rod position to the surface below the curtain. Depending on the installation, that surface may be the tub rim, shower base, or floor. Measure at both ends of the opening if the rod or base is not level, and note the difference for the supplier.

Do not automatically order a curtain with the same drop as the rod-to-floor measurement. The curtain usually needs clearance so it does not drag or sit in standing water, but the right gap depends on the tub, shower base, curtain design, and installation instructions. As a practical starting point, some installations allow about 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) between the curtain hem and the surface below; confirm the suitable clearance for your product and setting.

Step-by-step measuring process

Identify the finished boundaries. Decide exactly where the curtain must start and end. Measure from finished wall surfaces or the specified edge of a profile, not from framing or an unfinished surface that will later be covered.
Confirm the rod position. If the rod is already installed, measure from it. If it is not, mark or document its intended position first, including how far it will extend beyond the opening, if applicable.
Take three width readings. Measure across the opening at the top, middle, and bottom. Keep the tape level and straight, and write down each number with its unit.
Measure the drop at both sides. Measure from the rod to the tub, base, or floor on the left and right. If the numbers differ, provide both readings rather than concealing the variation in a single average.
Decide on fullness and overlap. A curtain panel generally needs more fabric width than the opening to create folds when closed. A planning range of 1.5–2 times the opening width is commonly used as a starting point, but the appropriate amount depends on the fabric, number of panels, heading, and desired appearance.
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Check obstructions and hardware. Note handles, shower screens, sloped ceilings, rod brackets, tracks, and any plastic profiles that may affect the curtain’s path or attachment.

Turn opening measurements into curtain dimensions

The opening width and the finished curtain width are not always the same. The opening is the space you need to cover; the curtain width also accounts for the folds and the way the curtain is gathered or divided into panels. For example, for a 60-inch-wide opening, a 1.5–2× fullness range gives a preliminary total curtain width of 90–120 inches before considering panel layout, hems, heading, or overlap.

Treat that range as a design estimate, not a universal product specification. A flat, minimal look may call for less fullness, while a more gathered appearance may call for more. Ask the curtain manufacturer how it defines finished width—some specifications refer to the flat panel, while others may describe the coverage width after installation.

For the drop, start with the rod-to-surface measurement and state the desired clearance. Do not subtract an allowance unless you know whether the supplier’s stated drop includes the top heading, hooks, rings, or other hanging hardware. Confirm whether the quoted dimension is measured from the top edge of the curtain or from the point where it hangs on the rod.

Common measuring mistakes

Measuring the tub instead of the opening: Tub length does not necessarily match the span the curtain needs to cover.
Taking only one width reading: A single measurement can miss a tapered or uneven opening.
Confusing curtain width with opening width: A panel cut exactly to the opening width may look flat or leave inadequate coverage when gathered.
Ignoring hanging hardware: Hooks, rings, tracks, and headings can change the usable drop.
Forgetting units and measurement points: “60” is incomplete without inches or centimeters and a clear description of where it was measured.
Ordering before installation details are settled: A change in rod position or profile location can alter the final dimensions.

How to prepare a clear custom-size request

Send the supplier the three width readings and both drop readings, along with a simple sketch or photo marked with the measurement points. State the units, the intended finished coverage, whether you want one panel or multiple panels, and your preferred fullness or overlap. If the final dimensions must fit around a plastic profile or another component, identify that component and describe its position rather than relying on a general note such as “custom fit.”

For B2B orders, provide the same measurement format across all openings in a project. A schedule that identifies each opening by room or unit can help buyers and suppliers review variations before production. We recommend confirming the measurement reference, material requirements, profile interface, packaging, and sample or drawing approval process before placing a bulk order.

How Huabao can support custom-size projects

As a plastic profiles supplier, Huabao can discuss profile requirements and project details with buyers sourcing components for shower curtain or bathroom applications. Clear opening dimensions help us understand the installation context, but they do not replace a product drawing or specification for a custom profile. Share the relevant dimensions, intended use, material preferences, and expected order quantity so the requirements can be reviewed before quotation.

When requesting a quote, also ask which dimensions are required for evaluation and whether the supplier needs a drawing, sample, or additional information about the installation. This makes it easier to clarify fit, production scope, and ordering expectations without assuming that every custom curtain or profile uses the same specification.

Conclusion: measure the opening, then specify the finished curtain

To measure a shower opening for a custom curtain, record the opening width at the top, middle, and bottom, then measure the drop from the rod to the tub, shower base, or floor. Use the widest width when full-span coverage is required, and state the desired clearance, fullness, overlap, and hardware details. Before ordering, confirm whether the supplier needs the opening dimensions or the finished curtain dimensions.

Your next step is to create a measurement sheet with units, labeled points, and any profile or installation constraints. If you are sourcing custom plastic profiles or related components for a project, send Huabao your measurements and requirements for a supplier discussion and quotation review.