Blinds Calculator: What Size to Order and What It Will Cost

Measure each window, pick inside or outside mount and a blind type, and get the exact size to order plus a cost range

Project Details

Enter your measurements and requirements

Units

Installation

Add a window

Room or name

Mount

Blind type

Width at top, middle, bottom (in)

Height at left, center, right (in)

Frame depth (in, inside mount)

Lift

One reading each is fine; three catch an out-of-square frame.

Results

Calculated estimates for your project

Add a window to see the size to order and the cost

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Inside mount vs outside mount

Inside mount looks built in and shows off the trim, but needs enough frame depth and a square opening. Outside mount hides a shallow or crooked frame, blocks more light at the edges and makes a small window look bigger.

How to measure for blinds

Pick the mount. Measure the frame depth. Inside mount needs about 1.5 in of flat depth for mini blinds and 2 to 2.25 in for cellular, faux wood and wood. Too shallow, or a crank in the way? Go outside mount.
Measure three widths. With a steel tape, measure inside the frame at the top, middle and bottom to the nearest 1/8 in.
Measure three heights. Measure from the top of the opening to the sill at the left, center and right.
Apply the mount rule. Inside mount: order the smallest width and the largest height, and let the factory take its deduction. Outside mount: order the largest width plus 3 in (1.5 in each side) and the largest height plus 1.5 in.
Write the order sheet. Record every window as room, mount, width x height (width first) and blind type, then order.

Worked example: three windows, measurement to order

Window	Mount	Measured	Order size	Type	Cost
Kitchen	inside	34.25 to 34.5 W, 48 to 48.25 H	34.25 in x 48.25 in	Faux wood blinds	$58 to $173
Bedroom	outside	34.5 to 34.5 W, 60 to 60 H	37.5 in x 61.5 in	Cellular (honeycomb) shades	$90 to $297
Living room	inside	70 to 70.25 W, 54 to 54.125 H	70 in x 54.125 in	Roller shades	$98 to $359

Costs include cordless lift; installation not included.

Blinds cost by type (October 2026)

Type	36 x 48 in window	Min. depth, inside mount
Vinyl mini blinds	$20 to $60	1.5 in
Aluminum mini blinds	$30 to $70	1.5 in
Faux wood blinds	$50 to $150	2.25 in
Real wood blinds	$80 to $200	2.25 in
Cellular (honeycomb) shades	$60 to $200	2 in
Roller shades	$40 to $150	1.5 in
Roman shades	$80 to $300	2 in

Add $10 to $30 per window for cordless, $100 to $300 for motorized, and $30 to $75 per window for pro installation. Cellular shades insulate best; see the energy savings audit cheat sheet. Redoing the whole room? Price the walls with the paint calculator or the wallpaper calculator, and if the window itself needs replacing, start with the window installation cheat sheet.

Blinds calculator FAQ

How do I measure for inside mount blinds?

Measure the width inside the frame at the top, middle and bottom, and the height at the left, center and right, all to the nearest 1/8 in. Order the smallest width and the largest height, exactly as measured.

Should I round down or up?

Neither. Order the exact inside measurement. The manufacturer takes about 1/4 in off the width so the blind clears the frame; if you take your own deduction too, the blind ends up with gaps at the sides.

How much wider should outside mount blinds be?

Add at least 1.5 in on each side, so 3 in total, to the widest measurement, and about 1.5 in to the height for the headrail. Go wider (up to 3 in per side) if you want more privacy or light blocking.

How much does it cost to install blinds per window?

A pro typically charges $30 to $75 per window to hang blinds you supply, more for motorized or very large shades. DIY costs about $8 a window in anchors and screws, plus a drill and level if you do not own them.

Can I get free window shade estimates?

Yes. Big box stores and most blind dealers will measure and quote for free, and this calculator gives you a size and cost range first so you can tell whether a quote is fair.

Are cordless blinds worth it?

Usually yes, especially with kids or pets. Cordless lift adds about $10 to $30 per window and removes the cord strangulation hazard entirely.

Can I install blinds myself?

Most people can. Each blind takes 15 to 30 minutes with a drill, a level and a tape measure. Measuring right matters more than the install.

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Plan the whole project

Ordering from the store? Take your sizes with you

Save this window list to Blueprint: every window's measurements, order size, mount and room go with you, so you can re-check sizes in the aisle and tick each blind off as it goes up. The calculators and cheat sheets stay free, no account required.

Save my window list Plan any project with AI