Curtain Length for 8-Foot Ceilings

A 84-inch curtain is the usual length for 8-foot (96 in) ceilings (Linen Chest): hung for floor length, its rod sits 84½ in up, 11½ in below the ceiling. Bob Vila lists 96 in for a 8-foot room (Bob Vila).

84 in curtains under a 8-foot ceiling, to scaleFront view: rod 84½ in above the floor, 11½ in below the ceiling; 84 in panels.84½ in84 in11½ in
Drawn to scale, each grid square one foot. Left: curtain length. Right: rod height from the floor. Top: gap to the ceiling.
Where the rod goes for each length, 8-foot ceiling
CurtainRod height for floor lengthRod positionListed for this ceiling by
84 in84½ in11½ in below the ceilingLinen Chest
96 in96½ inrod at the ceiling, curtain rests ½ in on the floorBob Vila
108 in108½ inrod at the ceiling, curtain rests 12½ in on the floor—

The rule

  • Floor-length curtains stop no more than half an inch above the floor (Wayfair).
  • Mount the rod 4 to 6 inches above the window frame (Wayfair, Linen Chest).
  • Hang it 6 to 12 inches above the frame to make the ceiling look higher (Wayfair).
  • With 8-foot ceilings, the rod looks best installed nearly to the ceiling (Bob Vila).
  • Ready-made lengths come in bands, so buy the next length up and hem or hang it to fit (Wayfair).

Sources

  1. Linen Chest: Curtain Sizes Guide, checked
  2. Bob Vila: Standard Curtain Lengths, checked
  3. Wayfair: How to Measure for Curtains, checked

Rules checked