North America Window Blind Ready-Made Sizes: B2B Sourcing Guide
North America (US and Canada) is the most standardized window-size market in the world, and that changes how a buyer should stock blinds. The four-digit window code system, inch-based retail sizing, and a mature ready-made channel mean a well-chosen stock program covers most residential windows without custom production. The two places buyers get burned are quoting inside mount and outside mount as if they were the same thing, and underestimating fabric width for the large windows common in US living rooms. The tables below are the inch and centimeter specs we quote against; sizing data in this guide reflects current ready-made programs as of October 2026.
Key takeaways
- North America works on inch-based four-digit window codes (2030, 3050, 3462 and so on). Stock these combos first: standard-size blind programs address most residential windows, while custom demand comes mainly from older renovations and non-standard large openings.
- Inside mount is the default in North America and is quoted on the recess opening, not the finished blind width - factories deduct about 1/4 in to 3/8 in (6-10 mm) for clearance. Outside mount has no stock sizes and is always quoted custom.
- The mainstream ready-made combos are roller 24x72, 36x64, 36x72 and 48x72, plus 2-inch faux wood venetian 36x64, 36x72 and 48x72. Cordless operation is the North American norm for cellular and venetian lines.
- Canada is not simply the US with centimeters: French-language packaging is required, and cold-climate Canadian windows run smaller than the large windows common in Texas and Florida.
Why North America is so standardized
Three structural reasons make US and Canadian window sizes predictable enough to build a stock program around:
- Unified building codes. The US International Residential Code (IRC) and Canada National Building Code (NBC) set minimum window sizes and egress rules. Bedroom windows must provide at least 5.7 sq ft (0.53 m2) of net clear opening, with no dimension smaller than 20 inches (508 mm).
- Industrialized home construction. North American homes are mostly stick-built or modular, with rough openings cut to standard dimensions rather than framed on site.
- The four-digit code system. Builders, suppliers and retailers all read codes such as 2030 (2 ft wide x 3 ft high) or 3050 (3 ft x 5 ft) the same way.
The commercial result is a mature ready-made market: covering standard sizes addresses 80%+ of residential windows, and custom demand concentrates in older home renovations and non-standard large windows.
The four-digit code and nominal vs actual openings
Nominal sizes are not the same as actual rough openings. Actual openings run about 0.5 inches smaller to leave installation clearance.
| Code | Nominal | Actual Opening (approx.) | Common Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2030 | 2'0"x3'0" | 23.5"x35.5" | Bathroom, closet |
| 2044 | 2'0"x4'4" | 23.5"x51.5" | Small bedroom, bathroom |
| 2430 | 2'4"x3'0" | 27.5"x35.5" | Kitchen (above sink) |
| 2840 | 2'8"x4'0" | 31.5"x47.5" | Small bedroom |
| 2852 | 2'8"x5'2" | 31.5"x61.5" | Bedroom |
| 3050 | 3'0"x5'0" | 35.5"x59.5" | Bedroom, living room (most common) |
| 3060 | 3'0"x6'0" | 35.5"x71.5" | Master bedroom, living room |
| 3462 | 3'4"x6'2" | 39.5"x73.5" | Master bedroom (popular) |
| 4040 | 4'0"x4'0" | 47.5"x47.5" | Living room, dining |
| 4060 | 4'0"x6'0" | 47.5"x71.5" | Large living room, high ceiling |
| 4848 | 4'8"x4'8" | 55.5"x47.5" | Living room, floor-to-ceiling |
| 5050 | 5'0"x5'0" | 59.5"x59.5" | Large living room |
| 6060 | 6'0"x6'0" | 71.5"x71.5" | Great room, picture window |
Sizes by room type
| Room | Typical Width | Typical Height | Most Common | Key Constraint |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bathroom | 18"-36" | 24"-48" | 24"x36" | Privacy + ventilation, mounted high |
| Kitchen | 24"-48" | 24"-48" | 30"x36" | Above sink, height limited by counter |
| Bedroom | 24"-48" | 36"-72" | 36"x60" / 34"x62" | Must meet egress code |
| Living room | 36"-96" | 36"-72" | 48"x60" / 48"x72" | Light + view, large windows common |
| Great room / vaulted | 60"-120" | 60"-96" | 72"x84" / 72"x96" | Often bay / floor-to-ceiling / combos |
Canadian windows tend to run smaller because insulation takes priority in a cold climate; US southern states such as Texas and Florida put more glass on the wall for light.
Inside mount vs outside mount
North American blinds fit either inside the window recess (inside mount) or on the wall or frame outside it (outside mount). The two methods size completely differently, so a B2B quote must confirm the mount method before anything else.
Inside mount
Blinds sit flush inside the recess. This is the dominant method in North America.
How to measure:
- Width: measure inside the frame at top, middle and bottom, and use the smallest, rounded down to the nearest 1/8 inch.
- Height: measure inside the frame at left, center and right, and use the largest, rounded to the nearest 1/8 inch.
- Depth: measure the recess depth to confirm the minimum mounting depth.
Minimum mounting depth by product:
| Product Type | Min Depth | Recommended Depth |
|---|---|---|
| Roller blinds | 1.5" (38mm) | 2.5" (64mm) |
| Zebra blinds | 2.0" (51mm) | 3.0" (76mm) |
| Aluminum venetian (1") | 0.75" (19mm) | 1.5" (38mm) |
| Faux wood venetian (2") | 2.0" (51mm) | 2.75" (70mm) |
| Wood venetian (2") | 2.0" (51mm) | 2.75" (70mm) |
| Cellular shades | 1.5" (38mm) | 2.25" (57mm) |
| Pleated shades | 1.0" (25mm) | 1.75" (44mm) |
Inside mount deduction. Factories automatically deduct about 1/4 in to 3/8 in (6-10 mm) from the width for clearance. Customers give the recess opening size, not the finished blind width.
Limits. Inside mount is not possible when recess depth is too shallow, and a frame that is out of square (diagonal difference over 1/4 inch) should go outside mount. Inside mount leaves about 1/4 inch of light gaps on the sides, so buyers needing full blackout should choose outside mount.
Outside mount
Blinds mount on the wall or frame outside the recess and cover the whole frame. They block more light and suit shallow or out-of-square windows.
How to measure:
- Width: frame width plus 3-6 inches (add 1.5-3 inches per side for coverage and light blockage).
- Height: frame height plus 3-6 inches (add 2-4 inches at the top for brackets, 1-2 inches at the bottom for coverage).
- Mounting surface: confirm the wall or frame has enough flat space for brackets.
Why it is quoted custom. Outside mount gives near-zero light gaps, covers frame imperfections, needs no recess depth, and visually enlarges the window. But every size is customer-specific with no stock equivalent, so always quote outside mount as custom. It accounts for roughly 30-40% of the North American retail market, higher in older home renovations.
Ready-made specs by product type
Roller blinds
Common ready-made widths: 20, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36, 39, 42, 48, 54, 60, 72 inches
Common ready-made heights: 36, 48, 64, 72, 84 inches
Top-selling combos: 24"x72", 36"x64", 36"x72", 48"x72"
Custom range: Width 12"-120" (30-305cm), Height 12"-120" (30-305cm)
Width-to-height ratio: Generally within 1:8; heights over 96" recommend motorized or spring assist.
Zebra / dual roller blinds
Common ready-made widths: 24, 27, 30, 33, 36, 42, 48, 60, 72 inches
Common ready-made heights: 48, 64, 72, 84 inches
Top-selling combos: 36"x72", 48"x72"
Custom range: Width 18"-120" (46-305cm), Height 18"-120" (46-305cm)
Note: The dual-layer mechanism makes the minimum width larger than a single roller; common fabric widths are 96" (240cm) and 110" (280cm).
Aluminum venetian blinds
Common ready-made widths: 24, 30, 36, 42, 48, 60, 72 inches
Common ready-made heights: 36, 48, 60, 64, 72 inches
Top-selling combos: 36"x60", 48"x60"
Slat sizes: 1/2" (12mm), 1" (25mm), 2" (50mm); 1" is most popular in North America
Custom range: Width 12"-96" (30-244cm), Height 12"-96" (30-244cm)
Note: Widths over 72" recommend a center support bracket to prevent rail sagging.
Faux wood venetian blinds
Common ready-made widths: 24, 30, 36, 42, 48, 60, 72 inches
Common ready-made heights: 48, 60, 64, 72, 84 inches
Top-selling combos: 36"x64", 36"x72", 48"x72"
Slat sizes: 2" (50mm) mainstream, also 1.5" (38mm)
Custom range: Width 18"-96" (46-244cm), Height 18"-96" (46-244cm)
Note: PVC is heavy - widths over 72" require center support; max area recommended 6 m2 or less.
Wood venetian blinds
Common ready-made widths: 24, 30, 36, 42, 48, 60 inches
Common ready-made heights: 48, 60, 64, 72 inches
Top-selling combos: 36"x60", 36"x64"
Slat sizes: 2" (50mm) mainstream, premium 2.5" (63mm)
Custom range: Width 18"-96" (46-244cm), Height 24"-120" (61-305cm)
Note: Wood is heavy - widths over 60" recommend center support; basswood is most common, paulownia is lighter but more expensive.
Cellular / honeycomb shades
Common ready-made widths: 24, 30, 36, 42, 48, 60, 72 inches
Common ready-made heights: 48, 64, 72, 84 inches
Top-selling combos: 36"x64", 36"x72"
Cell sizes: 3/8" (10mm) single, 3/4" (19mm) single/double, 1.25" (32mm) double
Custom range: Width 12"-96" (30-244cm), Height 12"-120" (30-305cm)
Note: The blackout version has aluminum foil inside the cells and is priced above non-blackout; cordless is mainstream in North America.
Pleated shades
Common ready-made widths: 24, 30, 36, 42, 48, 60 inches
Common ready-made heights: 48, 64, 72 inches
Top-selling combos: 36"x64"
Pleat sizes: 3/4" (19mm), 1" (25mm), 1.5" (38mm)
Custom range: Width 12"-96" (30-244cm), Height 12"-120" (30-305cm)
Note: Pleat ratio is about 1.3 (1 meter of finished height needs 1.3 meters of unfolded fabric) and must be factored into cost.
Fabric width and the large-window market
North America has many large windows (a 48"-72" wide living room window is common), so fabric width decides whether a single panel can be made.
| Fabric Type | Common Width | Inches | NA Market Fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roller fabric (standard) | 200cm | 79" | Covers most residential windows |
| Roller fabric (wide) | 240/280/300cm | 94/110/118" | Needed for large living rooms / floor-to-ceiling |
| Zebra fabric | 200/240/280cm | 79/94/110" | Dual-layer, ~95% width utilization |
| Sunscreen fabric | 200/240/280cm | 79/94/110" | High demand for large window sun control |
| Cellular / pleated fabric | 150/200/240cm | 59/79/94" | Fabric width = max finished width |
When quoting a North American customer, confirm the width distribution of their target window base. If they sell into large or floor-to-ceiling windows, you need wide fabric (280 cm and up); anything over fabric width has to be spliced, which costs more and looks worse.
Stocking and quotation strategy
Ready-made stocking tiers
| Priority | Product | Recommended Stock Sizes (WxH) | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Roller blinds | 24x72, 36x64, 36x72, 48x72 | ~60% residential |
| Tier 1 | Faux wood venetian | 36x64, 36x72, 48x72 | ~50% residential |
| Tier 2 | Zebra blinds | 36x72, 48x72 | ~35% residential |
| Tier 2 | Cellular shades | 36x64, 36x72 | ~30% residential |
| Tier 3 | Aluminum venetian | 36x60, 48x60 | ~25% residential |
| Tier 3 | Wood venetian | 36x60, 36x64 | ~15% (premium) |
Color mix. White and off-white/cream make up 60%+ of the North American market; grey and beige about 20%; dark colors (black/navy) about 10%; other patterns about 10%.
What to confirm on a custom quote
- Size precision. The North American custom market expects 1/8 inch (about 3 mm) precision, so state tolerances clearly in the quote.
- Oversize surcharge. Width over 72" (183 cm), height over 84" (213 cm), or area over 6 m2 triggers reinforcement or special-mechanism surcharges.
- Splicing fee. Beyond fabric width, charge per splice (typically $5-$15 per splice).
- Mount method. Outside mount has no stock sizes - quote from customer dimensions. Inside mount uses the recess opening with the factory auto-deduction.
- MOQ. Custom sizes normally carry a higher MOQ than ready-made (for example 10 pieces per color per size) - say so in the quote. For reference, our own stock programs run 1000 pcs per pattern without color matching and 2500 pcs with color matching.
Common misconceptions
| Misconception | Correct Understanding |
|---|---|
| "North America only uses inches, no cm needed" | Canada is bilingual - French-speaking regions require cm on packaging |
| "Fabric width = max finished width" | Finished width = fabric width minus edge/hem loss (about 2-4 cm) |
| "Inside and outside mount cost the same" | Outside mount needs longer fabric and a larger rail - higher cost |
| "All windows can be inside mounted" | Recess depth under 2.5" cannot be inside mounted - outside mount only |
| "Custom has no MOQ" | Custom sizes have an MOQ and run 2-3 weeks longer than ready-made |
Bottom line
Build the North American program on the four-digit inch code and the Tier 1 ready-made combos, always confirm inside vs outside mount before quoting, and separate Canada (bilingual labeling, smaller windows) from the US. Yuehua has supplied window blinds since 1998 from BSCI-audited production; factory inspections are welcome, and we run the roller, zebra, faux wood, wood, cellular and pleated lines this guide covers.
For the metric side of the market, the Europe ready-made size guide shows how stock sizing changes under centimeters. If measurement is the sticking point, the inside vs outside mount measurement guide walks through the recess and frame figures. On the product side, our cordless honeycomb shade is built for the cordless, cellular-heavy North American retail channel.
