Grey Double-Layer Shower Curtain with Mesh Window | 183 × 183 cm

A shower curtain that is too short lets water onto the floor, and one that is too narrow leaves gaps at the sides. Five minutes with a tape measure avoids both. This guide covers standard showers, bath-shower combinations, corner showers and clawfoot baths.

What you need

• A metal tape measure
• A pen and paper (or your phone)
• Your existing rod or rail in place, if you have one

Step 1: Measure the width

Measure the full length of your rod or rail from end to end. Then add 15 to 30 cm. A curtain should be a little wider than the opening so it hangs in soft folds when closed instead of being stretched flat, which is what lets water sneak past the edges.

• Rail 150 cm wide: choose a curtain around 180 cm wide
• Rail 90 cm wide (stall shower): choose a curtain around 90 to 120 cm wide
• Rail over 240 cm (wide baths, walk-in showers): look at extra-wide curtains, or hang two curtains side by side

Step 2: Measure the drop

Measure from the rod down to where you want the curtain to finish, then subtract the height of your hooks or rings (usually 3 to 6 cm).

• Shower over a bath: the curtain should finish about 10 to 15 cm below the top edge of the bath and hang inside it.
• Walk-in or stall shower: the curtain should finish 2 to 5 cm above the floor so it does not drag in the water and stay wet.

Most standard curtains have a 180 cm drop. If your rod is higher than about 200 cm from the floor, you will want an extra long shower curtain.

Common Australian sizes

• 180 × 180 cm – the standard size, suits most baths and showers
• 180 × 200 cm or 180 × 213 cm – extra long, for high ceilings or ceiling-mounted rails
• 90 to 120 cm wide – stall and narrow showers
• 240 cm wide and up – extra wide, for large baths and open showers

Corner showers and L-shaped rails

Measure each side of the rail separately and add them together, then add your 15 to 30 cm allowance. A 90 × 90 cm corner rail needs a curtain about 200 cm wide.

Clawfoot and freestanding baths

A ring or oval rail around a freestanding bath encloses the whole tub, so the curtain needs to be much wider than usual. Measure the full circumference of the rail. Most people use two standard curtains hung together, or one extra-wide curtain.

Don't forget the liner and hooks

If you use a shower curtain liner, choose one the same width as your curtain, or slightly shorter, so it sits inside the bath. You will need one hook or ring per eyelet, which is usually 12 for a standard curtain. See our range of shower curtain hooks and rings and shower rods and rails.