How to Measure Car Windows for Custom Sun Shades — Complete Guide

Quick answer: For most vehicles, you don't need to measure at all. We already have templates for 200+ Australian models — just search your make, model and year and we'll dispatch a custom-fit set. Measuring is only needed when your vehicle isn't in our range yet, or has unusual aftermarket glass.

When You Need to Measure

Situation	Action
Vehicle in our catalog (200+ models)	No measuring needed — order by make/model/year
New model (2026-2027) not yet listed	Measure and send photos for custom template
Aftermarket tint or replacement glass	Measure to confirm fit
Commercial vehicles (vans, utes with canopies)	Measure — templates vary by configuration
Classic/vintage cars	Measure — no existing templates
Modified windows (tint film, replacement glass)	Measure — may differ from factory specs

Time saved: 95% of customers skip measuring entirely — just search by vehicle.

What You'll Need

Item	Purpose	Alternative
Flexible tape measure	Accurate on curved glass	Fabric sewing tape works best
Smartphone	Photos for verification	Any camera
Pen and paper	Record measurements	Notes app on phone
Second person	Help on larger windows	Optional but helpful

Time required: 10-15 minutes for all 4 rear windows

Step-by-Step Measuring Guide

Step 1: Identify Which Windows Need Shades

Rear passenger windows only — shades are designed for the back doors, not the windscreen or front side windows while driving.

Window Position	Measure?	Notes
Windscreen	❌ No	Illegal to cover while driving; use dashboard mat instead
Front side windows (driver/passenger)	❌ No	Illegal in most states while driving; optional when parked
Rear side windows (back doors)	✅ Yes	Primary shade positions
Rear quarter glass (fixed)	✅ Optional	If you want full coverage
Boot/rear windscreen	✅ Optional	Separate measurement if needed

Step 2: Measure Height

Measure at the tallest point of the visible glass:

From the bottom rubber seal (where glass meets door panel)
To the top edge of the glass (where it disappears into the door frame)
Keep tape perpendicular to the bottom seal
Record in millimetres (more precise than cm)

Pro tip: On curved windows, measure at 3 points (front, centre, rear) and note the maximum.

Example:
Front height: 478mm
Centre height: 485mm ← Use this (maximum)
Rear height: 472mm

Step 3: Measure Width

Measure at the widest point:

From the front edge of the glass (closest to the front of the car)
To the rear edge (closest to the back of the car)
Follow the curve of the glass if it's not flat
Record in millimetres

Pro tip: Measure at top, middle, and bottom — windows often taper.

Example:
Top width: 598mm
Middle width: 620mm ← Use this (maximum)
Bottom width: 605mm

Step 4: Document the Shape

Most rear windows aren't rectangles. Photograph each window with the tape measure in place:

Photo	Purpose
Straight-on shot	Shows full window with tape across width
Side angle	Shows tape along height
Close-up of corners	Where curves/tapers occur
Full door shot	For context
Interior shot	Shows door frame for magnetic mounting

Why photos matter: A photo tells us more than numbers — we can see if the window tapers, has rounded corners, or has an unusual cutout for antennas/sensors.

Step 5: Label and Organise

Create a simple reference:

Vehicle: 2024 Toyota Kluger Grande
Date: 13 July 2026
Contact: your.email@example.com

Rear Left Door:
- Height: 485mm (tallest point, centre)
- Width: 620mm (widest point, middle)
- Shape: Slight curve at top rear corner
- Notes: Factory tint, no modifications

Rear Right Door:
- Height: 485mm
- Width: 620mm
- Shape: Mirror of left side
- Notes: Factory tint, no modifications

[Attach 8 photos: 4 windows × 2 angles each]

Common Measuring Mistakes

Mistake	Problem	Fix
Measuring the door frame, not the glass	Shades won't fit the actual opening	Measure glass only, edge to edge
Using a rigid ruler on curved windows	Inaccurate on non-flat surfaces	Use flexible tape measure
Measuring with window partially down	Height will be wrong	Ensure window is fully closed
Not accounting for rubber seals	Shades may overlap or gap	Measure visible glass only
Sending numbers without photos	We can't verify shape	Always include photos
Measuring only one side	Left/right can differ slightly	Measure all windows independently
Recording in cm instead of mm	Less precise, rounding errors	Use millimetres
Measuring from wrong reference points	Inconsistent results	Bottom seal to top edge

Send It to Us

Option 1: Online Form

Message us your measurements and photos along with:

Make, model, year
Variant (if known, e.g., "Grande", "Sport", "Hybrid")
Any notes about unusual features
Contact email/phone

Response time: 24-48 hours

Option 2: In-Person (Western Sydney)

Bring the car to our Liverpool measuring service and we'll do it professionally in 5 minutes. We also serve greater Sydney.

Benefits:

Professional measurement (±1mm accuracy)
Immediate template verification
Fit guarantee
No measuring mistakes

Cost: Free with purchase

Option 3: Phone/Video Call

We can walk you through measuring live — contact us via the contact page.

Best for:

Remote customers (outside Sydney)
Complex vehicles (vans, utes with canopies)
First-time measurers

Technical Specifications: What We Need

Measurement	Precision	Format
Height	±5mm acceptable	Millimetres preferred
Width	±5mm acceptable	Millimetres preferred
Photos	Clear, in focus	JPEG/PNG, any resolution
Vehicle info	Exact year range	e.g., "2023-2025" not "new model"

Turnaround time:

Custom templates: 2-3 business days to create and verify
Production: 3-5 business days
Shipping: 1-3 business days (Australia-wide)
Total: ~1 week from measurement to delivery

Fit and Safety Reminders

Legal Requirements by State

State	Rear Windows	Front Windows (when parked)	Fine (front windows, driving)
NSW	✅ Legal	✅ Legal when stationary	$2,000+
VIC	✅ Legal	✅ Legal when stationary	Up to $1,900
QLD	✅ Legal	⚠️ Check local rules	$300+
WA	✅ Legal	✅ Legal when stationary	$200+
SA	✅ Legal	⚠️ Check local rules	$250+
TAS	✅ Legal	✅ Legal when stationary	$180+
NT	✅ Legal	✅ Legal when stationary	$200+
ACT	✅ Legal	✅ Legal when stationary	$250+

Always: Remove front shades before driving. Keep driver's mirror view clear.

See our full guide: Are magnetic car sun shades legal in Australia?

Installation Tips

Tip	Why
Shades attach to the door frame, not the glass	Magnets grip metal, not glass
Magnets grip the metal frame behind the rubber seal	No adhesive needed
You can roll the window down with shades installed	Shades move with window
Remove in seconds by peeling from one corner	Tool-free removal
Store flat when not in use	Prevents warping

Related Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need to measure if my car is a 2024 model?

A: Check our product catalog first. We have templates for most 2024-2026 models now. If your exact variant isn't listed, measure and send photos.

Current coverage:

2007-2026 model years
200+ vehicle models
All major Australian brands
Popular imports (BYD, Tesla, European)

Q: My windows are already tinted. Do I still need shades?

A: Yes. Factory tint blocks visible light but not all UV. UVA penetrates standard tint. Shades add 92-95% UV blocking plus heat reduction. See our UV protection guide.

Configuration	UV Protection
Clear glass only	~70-80%
Factory tint	~80-90%
Factory tint + shades	~98%

Q: Can I measure with the window slightly open?

A: No. Measure with the window fully closed. The glass position changes the visible area and your measurements will be inaccurate.

Q: What if my measurements are slightly off?

A: ±5mm is acceptable — our magnetic edge has some tolerance. Larger variances mean the shade will gap or overlap. When in doubt, send photos and we'll verify.

Tolerance guide:

±5mm: Acceptable, will fit fine
±10mm: May have small gaps or overlap
±15mm+: Likely fit issues, re-measure recommended

Q: How long does a custom template take?

Template creation: 2-3 business days
Verification: Included in creation time
Production: 3-5 business days
Shipping: 1-3 business days
Total: ~1 week from measurement to delivery

Q: Do you measure classic/vintage cars?

A: Yes. Bring the vehicle to our Liverpool location or send detailed photos. Classic cars often have curved glass that requires extra attention.

What we need:

Clear photos from multiple angles
Exact year and model
Any modifications noted
Patience (may take longer for uncommon vehicles)

Q: Can I return custom-measured shades if they don't fit?

A: Custom templates are made to your specifications.

Scenario	Return Policy
We measured (in-person)	✅ Full fit guarantee
You measured (DIY)	❌ No returns if fit follows your specs
Our error (wrong template)	✅ Free remake
Vehicle info incorrect	❌ Customer responsibility

Recommendation: Use our in-person measuring service for guaranteed fit.

Q: What if my vehicle has aftermarket window replacement?

A: Aftermarket glass may differ slightly from factory specs. Measure and send photos — we'll create a custom template based on actual dimensions.

Q: Do you measure commercial vehicles?

A: Yes. Vans, utes with canopies, and commercial vehicles often have unique configurations. Bring to our Liverpool location or send detailed photos with notes about the setup.

The Bottom Line

95% of customers don't need to measure — just search your make, model and year in our product catalog.

Measure only if:

Your vehicle isn't listed (new model, classic, uncommon import)
You have aftermarket glass modifications
You want absolute certainty before ordering

Best option: Visit our Liverpool location for professional measuring and guaranteed fit.

Ready to order? Search your vehicle or contact us with your measurements.

Last updated: July 2026. Measuring guide for custom-fit magnetic car window shades. Fitment guarantee applies to in-person measurements only.