--- title: "Measure a Rounded Corner Cushion or a Curved End" url: "https://cushionguide.com/answers/measure-cushion-rounded-corners-curved-end/" section: "The Cutting Table" author: "Nate Kowalski, The Pattern Engineer of Detroit" author_url: "https://cushionguide.com/masters/nate/" published: "2026-02-09" updated: "2026-02-09" keywords: "measure a rounded corner cushion, curved bench cushion measurements, rounded corner bench cushion, curved end cushion, custom shaped cushion" --- # How do I measure a cushion with rounded corners or a curved end? *Curves scare people off custom cushions, partner. They shouldn't. A curve is a straight edge that changes its mind at a spot you can measure.* Also asked as: rounded corners on three edges; long bench with one side curved > **The quick answer:** To measure a rounded-corner cushion, write each edge as if the corners were square, then mark where each curve begins along both edges, such as 8 in (20 cm) from the corner. For a curved end, add the curve's span and its depth. Or trace the curve on paper, photograph it beside a tape measure, and the workshop sends a template to confirm. ![Olive green velvet bench cushion with self piping on a slab oak bench, cream boucle pillows, abstract art and a fig tree](https://cushionguide.com/media/bench-cushions/olive-velvet-cushion-oak-slab-bench-entry-1536.webp "An olive velvet cushion softens a plain oak bench, its color pulled straight from the abstract print above.") ## Key facts - Give every edge length as if the corners were square. - A rounded corner is defined by where the curve starts, measured from the corner along both edges. - Note each corner separately if the curves differ. - A curved end needs the span between where the curve starts and ends, plus its depth from top to bottom. - A curved top needs each side's straight run, the width where the curve starts and the total height to the top of the curve. - A paper tracing photographed beside a tape measure is accepted. - The workshop sends a template to confirm and asks before cutting if anything is missing. ## How do you measure a rounded corner on a cushion? Measure each edge to where the corner would be if it were square. Then, at each rounded corner, measure how far from that imaginary corner the curve begins, along both edges. If the corners differ, write each one down; one buyer's three curves started at about 7, 7 7/8 and 8 5/8 in (18, 20 and 22 cm). Angles are just lengths in disguise, and so are curves. The [rounded-corner pattern](https://cushionguide.com/guides/rounded-corner-cushion-measuring/) shows the drawing. ## The numbers for each kind of curve 1. **Rounded corners**: Distance from the square corner to where the curve starts, along both edges. 2. **A curved end**: The span between where the curve starts and ends, and the depth from the top of the curve to the bottom: its [chord and rise](https://cushionguide.com/glossary/#chord-and-rise). 3. **A curved top**: Each side's straight run before the curve, the width where the curve starts, and the total height from the bottom edge to the top of the curve. ## After you upload the drawing Put every number on one drawing, add photos of the seat, and upload both on the custom-shape listing. The workshop sends a template to confirm and asks before cutting if anything is missing. A [banquette cushion](https://cushionguide.com/cushions/banquette-cushions/) with one curved end needs just two extra numbers. Which of your corners is the odd one out? > **Tailor's margin:** Measure a rounded cushion corner as two numbers: how far the curve starts from the corner along each edge, such as 8 in and 8 in. > A curved end on a bench cushion needs two numbers: the span between where the curve starts and ends, and its depth from top to bottom. > > — Nate ## Buyer questions **A common question:** My bench has rounded corners. How do I give you the curves? **The workshop's answer:** Write each edge's full length as if the corners were square, then mark how far from each corner the curve begins, each one separately if they differ. Or trace the corner and photograph it beside a tape measure. **A common question:** How do I measure a cushion with a curved top? **The workshop's answer:** Three numbers: how far each side runs straight before the curve begins, the width where the curve starts, and the total height from the bottom edge to the top of the curve. **A common question:** How do I measure a bench with one curved end? **The workshop's answer:** Measure from the top of the curve to the bottom, and the distance between where the curve starts and ends. Write both on your drawing; missing numbers get asked about before cutting. ## Questions buyers ask next ### Do I need a paper template for a rounded corner? Not usually. Two numbers per corner describe a simple round. A [paper tracing](https://cushionguide.com/guides/paper-template-for-custom-cushion/) helps when the curve isn't a simple arc; photograph it beside a tape measure so the scale is clear. ### Where do I measure the depth of a curved end? From the top of the curve straight down to the line where the curve starts, square to that line. Measure the span along that same line, from where the curve begins to where it ends. ### Should I take a little off so a curved cushion fits? No. Send the exact size of the space and deduct nothing. The cushion is made to your numbers, and the fitting allowance is handled in production; piping sits on the seams without changing the size. ## Related at the atelier - [Can an L-shaped cushion have a cut-out for a pillar or corner?](https://cushionguide.com/answers/l-shaped-cushion-cutout-pillar-notch/): An L-shaped cushion can have a cut-out: either one piece with a precise notch around the pillar or corner, or separate sections that butt together around it. - [My corner bench meets at an angle. How should the cushions be split?](https://cushionguide.com/answers/corner-bench-cushion-angled-45-degree-split/): At a normal 90° corner, split the bench as one long and one short rectangle that butt together; it costs nothing extra and fits most reliably. - [Banquette Cushion Piping: Curved Charcoal Breakfast Nook](https://cushionguide.com/readings/charcoal-curved-corner-banquette-cushion-breakfast-nook/): On a banquette cushion with a curved inside corner, choose self piping: charcoal on charcoal runs round the radius in one unbroken line, while a contrast welt would ring the bend and show every… - [Banquette Cushion in Cobalt Stripe Under Woodland Wallpaper](https://cushionguide.com/readings/cobalt-stripe-corner-banquette-cushion-woodland-wallpaper/): A banquette cushion against busy wallpaper should be a simple stripe in a color the wall doesn't already use, like cobalt on cream here. - [Can my long, shaped bench cushion be one piece, or should it be split into sections?](https://cushionguide.com/answers/long-shaped-bench-cushion-one-piece-or-sections/): Often, yes: a long or shaped window seat cushion can be made in one piece, but it costs more, takes more custom work and fits less reliably than sections. - [Banquette Cushion in Aubergine Velvet for a Small Bistro Nook](https://cushionguide.com/readings/aubergine-velvet-banquette-seat-back-cushion-bistro/): A banquette cushion in a small nook should give back depth wherever it can: a separate, slim back cushion resting on the seat, a seat thick enough to reach table height, and a round table with… - [How to measure a curved cushion with a chord, a rise and one formula](https://cushionguide.com/guides/curved-cushion-chord-rise-radius/) - [How to measure an L-shaped bench or corner banquette for cushions](https://cushionguide.com/guides/l-shaped-bench-cushion-measurements/) *± 1/4 in — Nate* --- Written by Nate Kowalski (https://cushionguide.com/masters/nate/) for CushionGuide (https://cushionguide.com/about/). The site explains made-to-measure cushions and the partner workshop makes them; measurements are in inches first. This Markdown mirrors the page at https://cushionguide.com/answers/measure-cushion-rounded-corners-curved-end/