For most standard tubs, you need a 72 x 72-inch shower curtain. The rule is simple: choose a curtain at least as wide as the rod, with enough extra width to gather and close fully, and long enough to hang inside the tub while ending a few inches above the floor.
That one size does not fit every bathroom, though. A narrow stall, a wide walk-in shower, a curved rod, or a freestanding tub can all call for a different width or length. In this guide, we walk through the standard sizes, show you how to measure your own shower in two minutes, and explain exactly how high to hang the rod so water stays where it belongs.
Standard Shower Curtain Sizes
Shower curtain sizes are always listed width first, then length. The standard size for a tub-and-shower combination is 72 x 72 inches, and it is the size most bathrooms are built around. A standard tub is usually about 60 inches long, so a 72-inch-wide curtain gives you the coverage you need plus room for the fabric to gather.
Other common sizes cover the rest of the usual setups. Narrower stalls often use 54 x 72 inches, while wider or taller showers may need 72 x 84 inches, 84 x 72 inches, or even 108 x 72 inches for a wide, double, or curved rod. Extra-long curtains, usually 84 or 96 inches long, suit high ceilings and rods hung well above the standard height.
How to Measure Your Tub or Shower
Measure before you shop, and measure the rod, not just the tub. A tape measure, two minutes, and three numbers are all you need: the width, the rod height, and the drop from the rod to where the curtain should end.
1. Measure the width
Measure straight across the opening, from wall to wall at the height where the rod will sit. If a rod is already in place, measure its full length. As a general guide, choose a curtain about 10 to 12 inches wider than the opening so it can gather, overlap the edges, and close without leaving a gap. If you are choosing hooks or rings as well, our guide to the best shower curtain hooks explains how hook style affects glide and spacing.
2. Measure the length
Measure from the rod down to the point where the curtain should end. For a tub, the liner should hang inside the tub, and the outer curtain should end just above the tub rim or a few inches inside it. For a walk-in shower with no tub, aim for the curtain to end about 1 to 2 inches above the floor. Remember that hooks or rings add a small amount of drop, so measure from the rod itself and allow for that extra inch or two.
3. Curved rods, clawfoot, and freestanding tubs
A curved rod bows outward, so its path is longer than a straight wall-to-wall measurement. Measure along the curve, not straight across, and size up if you are between widths. For a clawfoot or freestanding tub, measure around the full rod or rail that surrounds the tub, because you may need a much wider curtain, two panels, or a specially shaped set. These are the setups where guessing from the tub length alone most often goes wrong.
Shower Curtain Size by Shower Type
| Shower type | Usual curtain size | When to size up |
|---|---|---|
| Standard tub-and-shower | 72 x 72 inches | Wide tub or high rod |
| Narrow shower stall | 54 x 72 inches | Opening wider than 48 inches |
| Walk-in shower | 72 x 72 inches | Wide opening or high ceiling |
| Tall shower or high rod | 72 x 84 inches | Rod above 78 inches from the floor |
| Wide, double, or curved rod | 84 x 72 or 108 x 72 inches | Rod path longer than 72 inches |
| Clawfoot or freestanding tub | 108 x 72 inches or two panels | Full surround rod |
Use this table as a starting point, not a substitute for measuring. Two bathrooms with the same tub can need different curtains once rod height, a curve, or a high ceiling is taken into account.
How High to Hang the Rod
For a standard 72-inch curtain, hang the rod about 75 to 77 inches from the bathroom floor. That height leaves the curtain ending a few inches above the floor in a walk-in shower, and well inside a tub when the liner is tucked in. Measure from the floor on both sides, not from the tub rim alone, so the rod stays level.
As a general guide, the rod should sit at least 6 inches above the top of the tub rim for a tub-and-shower setup, and higher if you want a longer, more tailored look. Just remember that raising the rod also raises the curtain, so a higher rod usually means a longer curtain. If you hang the rod at ceiling height, an 84- or 96-inch curtain will usually be needed to keep the bottom from floating too high.
Liner vs. outer curtain lengths
The liner does the waterproofing work, so it should hang inside the tub and end below the tub rim, or just above the shower floor in a walk-in shower. The outer curtain is the decorative layer, and it can end slightly higher than the liner. A useful rule is: liner inside and low, outer curtain outside the tub edge and a little shorter, so the two layers do not cling together and the liner can drain back into the tub.
Editor’s Tip: Before you fix a rod in place, hold the curtain up at the planned height and check the bottom clearance. It is much easier to move a tension rod than to repair holes made at the wrong height. If you are deciding between a no-drill and a screwed-in mount, our comparison of adhesive hooks vs. screw-in hooks shows the same trade-off in miniature: easy removal versus a hold that lasts.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Too short is the most expensive mistake. A curtain that ends above the tub rim or well above the shower floor lets spray escape, soaks the bath mat, and can damage flooring over time. If your curtain is already too short, raising the rod will not help; you need a longer curtain or a lower rod.
Too long is the quieter problem. Fabric that pools on the floor or bunches in the tub stays damp, wrinkles, and is more likely to develop mildew. Trim the problem at the source by choosing the right length for your rod height, and let the liner drain fully between showers. Hanging a heavy, wet curtain from a weak mount can also pull it down, which is why suction cup hooks keep falling off in steamy bathrooms; a curtain rod and its mounts should be chosen for wet, loaded use, not for light towels alone.
Other mistakes are easy to avoid once you know them: measuring the tub instead of the rod, forgetting the extra width needed for gathering, and buying a standard size for a curved or surround rod without measuring its full path. Take the three measurements above, check them against the table, and you will rarely need a return.
Once the curtain fits, the rest of the shower zone falls into place. Our step-by-step robe hook installation guide helps you put towels within easy reach of the shower, and you can browse more ideas in the Shower Accessories archive.