How to Measure Cordless Blinds and Shades

Cordless blinds and shades get rid of pesky strings and the strangulation hazards they pose, which is why they’re an excellent nursery window treatment. In this guide, we walk you through how to measure for cordless blinds for both an inside mount and outside mount configuration.

Key Takeaways

• Cordless blinds eliminate dangling cords that pose strangulation hazards, commonly used for nursery windows.
• Inside mounts require checking window depth and measuring width and height at three points for accuracy.
• Recorded inside width is the narrowest three-point measurement; recorded height is the tallest three-point measurement.
• Outside mounts involve added overlap to the largest width, with hardware typically placed at least three inches above.

How to Measure for Inside Mount Cordless Blinds

Inside mounting blinds means you drill them into the top of the window frame, so the blinds fall within the window recess. Always double check your window depth against your chosen cordless blind to make sure you can actually inside mount the window treatment. Just because your window is deep enough to support one kind of cordless blind does not mean it will necessarily be deep enough to support another kind of cordless blind.

There are many different kinds of cordless blinds and shades, everything from faux wood blinds to blackout rollers. Each of them has a different thickness and, therefore, requires a different window depth in order to accommodate the mounting hardware. At Factory Direct Blinds, we offer a free sample program to help you choose the perfect window treatments for your home, including cordless blinds, so be sure to take advantage of that!

Source: kravik93/Shutterstock.com

First, double-check that your window meets the requirements to inside mount your cordless blinds of choice. Then get a tape measure and start measuring the width at three different places: the top, middle and bottom of the window inside the frame. Use the narrowest measurement as the figure for your blind’s width. Do the same thing for the height of the window, measuring it at three different places: the right, middle and left of the window. This time, choose the tallest measurement and use that as the figure for your blind’s height.

Always list measurements as Width x Height when reporting dimensions, or you will get the wrong size window. Report the nearest measurements to ⅛ of an inch unless otherwise directed by the manufacturer. Do NOT take deductions from the measurements yourself when ordering inside mounted blinds — the manufacturer will take deductions for you. You might end up with blinds too small or too short if you take deductions preemptively yourself.

How to Measure for Outside Mount Cordless Blinds

Outside mounting blinds means you drill them into the wall or trim above the window frame. This makes the windows look bigger and also provides more privacy and light control because the blinds completely overlap the window frame. Some people outside mount blinds by choice, while others do it from necessity because the windows are too shallow or uneven for an inside mount.

For outside mount blinds, grab your tape measure and begin by measuring the width at three different places: the top, middle and bottom of the window inside the frame. But, wait! There’s an additional step: You need to add the overlap to the largest width measurement. We recommend adding two inches on each side (for a total of four inches) to get enough overlap if your window does not have trim. If your window does have trim, add enough width so the trim will be completely covered and won’t stick out awkwardly when the shades are fully drawn.

Source: Kateryna Kubitsa/Shutterstock.com

Now it’s time to decide how far above the window you want the hardware to go. You should place the hardware a minimum of three inches above the top of the window frame, but you can move it even higher to make the window look bigger. Mark the location lightly with a pencil.

Then decide how far below the window you want the blinds to extend; we recommend at least two inches if you do not have a window sill to act as a natural stopping point. Use a pencil to lightly mark this location. Get your tape measure and measure the height difference between the pencil marks at three different places — the right, middle and left of the window. Use the tallest measurement as the figure for your blind’s height.

Don’t hesitate to reach out to our customer service department if you have questions about choosing or measuring cordless blinds. We also offer a help center chock-full of informative articles that answer questions ranging from “How do I clean my blinds” to “Are all mini blinds cordless now?”

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I measure width and height for inside mount cordless blinds?

Measure the width inside the frame at the top, middle and bottom and use the narrowest measurement for width. Measure the height at the right, middle and left and use the tallest measurement for height; report dimensions as Width x Height to the nearest 1/8 inch. For detailed measurement steps and templates, see our how to measure blinds and shades guide.

Should I take deductions from my measurements before ordering inside mount blinds?

No—do not take deductions yourself. The manufacturer will apply necessary deductions for inside mounted blinds; taking deductions beforehand can result in blinds that are too small or too short.

How much overlap should I add when measuring for outside mount cordless blinds?

Measure the width at the top, middle and bottom and add overlap to the largest width measurement. The article recommends adding two inches on each side (four inches total) if there is no trim; if you have trim, add enough width to fully cover the trim when the shades are drawn.

Where should I place outside mount hardware and how do I measure height for it?

Place the hardware a minimum of three inches above the top of the window frame (you may place it higher to make the window look bigger) and mark that location. Mark how far below the window you want the blind to extend (at least two inches below if no sill), then measure the height between those marks at the right, middle and left and use the tallest measurement.

How do I know if my window is deep enough for an inside mount cordless blind?

Check your window’s mounting depth against the depth requirement of the specific cordless blind you plan to order, since different blind types and materials require different depths. If you’re unsure about fit or product selection, the article recommends requesting a free sample or contacting customer service for help.