How to Use Your Phone to Scan Windows for Perfectly Fitting Curtains

Stop guessing — use your phone to get curtain-perfect measurements

Measuring windows is the single biggest blocker for homeowners and renters who want custom curtains but fear ordering the wrong size, getting poor light control, or wasting money on returns. In 2026, your phone — not a ladder or a tape measure alone — can capture accurate, shareable measurements fast. This guide adapts consumer-phone scanning techniques (think the iPhone foot-scan demos and the latest LiDAR/photogrammetry apps) into a practical, step-by-step workflow you can use today to order perfectly fitting curtains.

Why phone scans work — and when to double-check

Modern phones combine high-resolution cameras, depth sensors, and on-device AI to build reliable 3D captures. Since late 2024–2025, apps have improved on-device photogrammetry and LiDAR fusion, making handheld scans accurate enough for many custom textile vendors. Still, no phone scan is perfect for every job: soft edges, mirrored glass, and tight trims can introduce small errors. Treat phone scans as a fast, accurate first pass — then confirm a few critical dimensions with a tape measure before finalizing a custom order.

Pro tip: Many curtainmakers in 2026 accept a mobile scan (USDZ/OBJ/GLB) plus two confirmation tape-measure numbers. Scans speed quoting; tape checks finalize sizing.

Quick overview: The 6-step phone-scan workflow for curtains

1. Choose the right app and prepare your phone
2. Set up the room and add a reference object
3. Capture a multi-angle scan focusing on frame, rod, and floor
4. Export measurements and verify key widths/heights
5. Calculate curtain width, fullness, stackback, and hem allowances
6. Share scan + measurement pack with your vendor or installer

Step 1 — Pick the scanning method: LiDAR vs photogrammetry

In 2026 you’ll commonly choose one of two phone-based capture methods:

• LiDAR or depth-sensor captures (fast, useful in low light). Best when your phone supports on-device depth mapping — common on premium iPhones and many Android flagships since 2023–2025. LiDAR is excellent for interior measurements and capturing the window recess, curtain rod location, and visible hardware.
• Photogrammetry (multiple overlapping photos stitched into a 3D model). Works on almost any phone but needs good light and careful shooting. Apps like Polycam, Canvas, and others improved mobile photogrammetry accuracy in 2025–2026.

Which to pick? If your phone has LiDAR, use it. If not, use a photogrammetry app and follow the capture tips below carefully.

Step 2 — Prep the window and room for an accurate scan

Good prep cuts errors. Spend 10–15 minutes doing these high‑impact tasks:

• Clear the area in front of and beside the window so you can walk around freely.
• Open any blinds and remove temporary obstacles (plants, furniture) that block access to the frame and floor.
• Turn on even lighting. Natural daylight is great, but avoid direct backlighting and reflections on glass. For mirrored or very glossy windows, hang a temporary matte sheet or use polarizing sunglasses over the camera if your app supports it.
• Place a reference object of known size in the scene — a credit card (85.6 × 53.98 mm), A4 paper (210 × 297 mm), or a visible tape-measure segment. This helps apps calibrate scale and reduces systematic errors.
• Decide mount type (inside or outside mount), rod/track location, and whether you’ll include pelmet or valance — you’ll capture these in the next step.

Step 3 — Capture the scan: a practical shooting sequence

Think like the iPhone foot-scan demo: rotate around your subject at a steady distance, capture overlapping views, and include fixed reference points. Follow this sequence for a window:

1. Start with a straight-on photo or scan from about 6–8 feet back to capture the whole window, rod, and some wall either side.
2. Move to a 45-degree angle and sweep up and down to capture depth from frame to floor.
3. Walk laterally to capture the frame edges and reveal jamb depth (important for inside mounts).
4. Crouch to capture the sill and floor junctions — these lower angles often catch measurement-critical points.
5. Finish with close-in detail shots of the rod, brackets, handles, and trim (these will help installers know where to anchor).

Keep motion smooth, hold the phone steady, and ensure at least 60–70% overlap between frames if using photogrammetry. Most apps show a guide or dot trail to help.

Capture checklist

• Reference object visible in at least two frames
• Top of rod and floor visible
• Both window jambs included for inside mounts
• Brackets and handles captured up close

Step 4 — Export and verify critical measurements

Once your scan is processed (this usually takes 10–90 seconds on modern phones), inspect the measurement readouts. Most apps let you:

• Tap two points to get a direct distance (useful for width/height)
• Measure along non‑orthogonal edges — useful for bay windows and angled heads
• Export the 3D model (USDZ/OBJ/GLB) and plan view images for vendors

Key dimensions to capture and verify with a tape measure:

1. Track/rod length (for outside mounts, measure bracket-to-bracket span)
2. Window opening width (top, middle, bottom for inside mounts)
3. Drop/height (from rod/track top to finished floor)
4. Sill depth and jamb depth (for inside mounts and returns)
5. Distances to nearby obstacles like radiators, handles, closet doors

Important: always double-check the rod-to-floor height with a tape measure if you plan floor-puddling curtains or exact hem lengths. Phone scans can be off by a small margin — confirm the height that affects hem length.

Step 5 — Translate scan numbers into curtain specifications

With accurate measurements in hand, calculate the curtain dimensions you’ll order. Here’s how to get reliable results quickly.

Width and fullness

The curtain fabric width you need depends on your chosen fullness (how “gathered” the curtain looks).

• For a minimalist look (wave or flat panels): 1.25–1.5× the track/rod length
• For standard pleated curtains (pinch pleat, goblet): 2× the track/rod length
• For a luxurious, heavy gather: 2.5–3× the track/rod length

Example: a 2.0m rod with 2× fullness needs 4.0m of finished fabric width (before hemming and headings). If the vendor quotes in panel widths, divide by the usable width per panel (e.g., 140cm fabric net). Always ask the vendor how they measure fabric — some quote fabric width vs finished curtain width differently.

Drop, hems, and brackets

• Measured drop = distance from top of track/rod (or top of bracket) to floor. Decide finish: kiss (1–2 cm above floor), break (1–2 cm puddle), or puddle (5–15 cm).
• Add hem allowance (standard: 2–4 cm bottom hem + 2–4 cm top heading, but check with vendor).
• For tracks recessed behind cornices or pelmets, measure the face of the pelmet to the floor to know the visible drop.

Stackback and overlap

Stackback is how much space a drawn curtain occupies at the side. Use these quick guides:

• Thin curtain fabric: 8–12% of total curtain width per side
• Medium/heavy fabrics: 12–20% per side
• Allow an extra 5–10 cm per side for return to the wall if you want blackout/privacy without gaps

Step 6 — Share and order: what to include in your measurement pack

When sending your scan to a vendor or installer, include a clear, organized measurement pack. A standard pack includes:

• Exported scan file (USDZ/OBJ/GLB), plus a high-res JPG of the straight-on view
• Three tape‑measure confirmation numbers: rod length, center drop to floor, and window opening width (middle)
• Chosen fullness multiplier and preferred finish (wave, pinch pleat, eyelet)
• Desired hem style (kiss, break, puddle) and margin allowances
• Photos of any obstructions (radii, handles, radiators) with annotations

Vendor tips — what they need from you

• Tell them whether you want ready-made panels or made-to-measure curtains.
• Confirm fabric shrinkage (natural fibers can shrink after washing) and whether they pre-shrink or allow extra length.
• If you opt for motorized tracks (a growing trend in 2024–2026), indicate motor size/position so the brackets are placed correctly.

2026 trends and why they matter to your curtain project

Three trends that change how you measure and order curtains:

• On-device AI and depth fusion — Newer phones merge LiDAR and photogrammetry results on-device to improve scale accuracy. Apps now flag likely mis-measured edges automatically (a feature rolled out widely in late 2025).
• Vendor integration with mobile scans — More curtain brands accept 3D scans and can produce pattern layouts and cost estimates directly from OBJ/USDZ files, speeding quoting and cutting fabric waste.
• Motorized and smart track adoption — Motorized tracks and app-integrated controls have gone mainstream for premium installs. If you plan to retrofit automation, include motor clearances in your scan pack.

Common scanning problems and fixes

• Reflection on glass: Use matte cloth to block the reflection, or scan from angles instead of straight-on.
• Inconsistent scale: Ensure the reference object is flat and visible; repeat the scan at a slightly different angle and compare.
• Loss of detail for thin frames: Take close-up shots of the jambs and bracket mounting points; these close-ups help vendors locate anchors precisely.
• Motion blur: Move slowly. If your phone has cinematic stabilization, enable it, or use a simple phone gimbal for smoother sweeps.

Real-world example: How Claire scanned a bay window and ordered custom curtains

Claire, a renter in 2026, used an iPhone 15 Pro (LiDAR) and Polycam to scan a three-panel bay window. Following the workflow she:

1. Placed an A4 sheet taped to the center panel as a scale reference.
2. Captured a 360° sweep, with particular close-ups on brackets and the floor junctions.
3. Exported the USDZ file and included three tape‑measure confirmations (rod length, center drop, middle window width).
4. Ordered curtains at 2.5× fullness with a 2 cm “kiss” finish. The vendor used the USDZ file to plan panel seams and suggested a split panel for the center section to reduce stackback.

Result: flawless fit on the first delivery and no rework. Claire saved time and avoided a costly re-order because the vendor could visualize the bay geometry from the scan.

Final verification checklist before ordering

• Scan file exported and viewable (USDZ/OBJ/GLB) — open it on another device to confirm.
• Three tape-measure check numbers included with the scan.
• Fullness multiplier chosen and noted.
• Hem preference and stackback allowances confirmed.
• Any automation/motor mounting noted and measured.

Actionable takeaways — order-ready in under an hour

• Prep (10–15 min): clear area, place a reference object, decide mount type.
• Scan (5–10 min): follow the 6-step capture sequence and include rod and floor.
• Verify (5 min): tape-measure the three key dimensions.
• Calculate (5–10 min): apply fullness, stackback, and hem allowances and create your measurement pack.
• Share the scan and pack with your vendor; request a confirmation drawing before final production.

Closing thoughts: the future is practical

Phone scanning doesn't replace professional installers for complex projects, but in 2026 it drastically reduces guesswork for most custom curtain orders. By combining modern phone scanning techniques with a small set of tape-measure confirmations and clear specs, you can get a confident fit on first delivery — less waste, fewer returns, and a faster route from inspiration to finished room.

Want a printable checklist? Download our one-page measurement pack template (includes the three critical tape-measure numbers and a scan-export checklist) or book a vetted local installer through our partner directory. If you already have a scan, upload it during the checkout process for an instant quotation from participating makers.

Call to action

Ready to try it? Use your phone to scan one window now, follow the verification checklist above, and send the measurement pack to three curtain vendors for quotes. Get faster, accurate quotes and installation-ready curtains—start your scan today and order with confidence.

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