Measure.

Always measure between the inside of one fixing eye to the inside of the next, for every edge and every diagonal, never just the area you want shaded. Your fixings must be installed and set first (step 3). Full method: how to measure a shade sail.

We're an online custom manufacturer, so we don't offer on-site measuring — but we make DIY measuring simple with our step-by-step guide. For complex commercial sites, a local builder or shade installer can measure and we'll manufacture to their measurements.

Yes. We'll review your measurements for obvious errors or inconsistencies and contact you if we notice something doesn't look right. However. you are still responsible for ensuring all measurements are accurate.

Edges alone don't define a shape — the same edge lengths can form different shapes. Capturing all diagonals will ensure you sail is manufactured correctly to it's actual shape and tensions evenly.

Pick one consistent reference level — a datum line — and measure each fixing point's height from it, so all heights are comparable. See our fixing heights measuring guide.

Use whichever unit you're most comfortable with—metric or imperial. Just be consistent throughout your measurements, and select the matching unit in the custom Shade Sail configurator before entering them.

This depends on your preferred manufacturing option. Manufactured to Fit My Space includes allowances for hardware and tension. Manufactured to the Dimensions I Provide makes your Shade Sail exactly to the dimensions entered, with no allowances included.

Label the three corners A, B, C clockwise and measure the three edges (A–B, B–C, C–A) inside-eye to inside-eye. Triangles don't need diagonals or heights.

That's completely normal and not a problem. Simply measure each fixing point accurately, including heights and diagonals where requested as these capture the true, irregular geometry of your custom Shade Sail. Ensuring it is made to fit your space precisely.

No — this is the one rule you can't skip. A custom sail is manufactured to fit exactly between installed fixing points, so posts, plates and eyes must be set in their final positions before you measure. Finish step 3 first before measuring.

As accurate as you can. Double-check every measurement as you record it, and re-measure anything that doesn't look right. Small errors can affect the fit of your custom Shade Sail, so measuring carefully the first time is worth the extra effort.

It's best to measure your fixing points, not the old sail, because sails stretch and shrink over their life and your hardware may have moved. Measure inside-eye to inside-eye at the site for a true fit. If that's not possible, contact us and we'll advise on the safest approach.

Yes. Download our free measure guide sheets to record all required measurements and sketch your layout. Then you will have all your measurements ready as the configurator prompts you at different stages of the design.

Because every Shade Sail is custom made, incorrect measurements may result in a sail that doesn't fit. Our warranty doesn't cover a sail that's the wrong size due to incorrectly supplied measurements
See the terms on our warranty page.

Enter them into our custom Shade Sail configurator, where you'll enter your edges, diagonals and heights and choose fabric and edge finish. That's the next step — Design & Shop.