Curtain Length for 9-Foot Ceilings

A 96-inch curtain is the usual length for 9-foot (108 in) ceilings (Linen Chest): hung for floor length, its rod sits 96½ in up, 11½ in below the ceiling. Bob Vila lists 108 in and 120 in for a 9-foot room (Bob Vila).

96 in curtains under a 9-foot ceiling, to scaleFront view: rod 96½ in above the floor, 11½ in below the ceiling; 96 in panels.96½ in96 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, 9-foot ceiling
CurtainRod height for floor lengthRod positionListed for this ceiling by
84 in84½ in23½ in below the ceiling—
96 in96½ in11½ in below the ceilingLinen Chest
108 in108½ inrod at the ceiling, curtain rests ½ in on the floorBob Vila
120 in120½ inrod at the ceiling, curtain rests 12½ in on the floorBob Vila

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).
  • 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