Grommet vs Rod Pocket vs Back Tab Curtains | Ona
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Updated October 2026 · By the Ona team · 9 min read
The short answer: choose grommet curtains if you open them every day, because metal rings glide along a visible rod. Choose back tab curtains for a tailored look with the rod hidden. They slide, but less freely. Choose rod pocket curtains for a soft, gathered top that mostly stays put. All three look right at about 2× your rod width in fabric.
The heading is the top edge of a curtain. It decides how the curtain meets the rod, how it moves and how it folds. It also changes which rod fits and what length you should buy. This guide compares the three side by side, with the math. It's part of our guide to types of curtains.
Ona sells all three headings. Our grommet curtains come as a linen-texture pair, a wide single panel and a velvet pair. Our back-tab pair also has a rod pocket, so you can hang it either way.
Key facts - Grommet: rod shows, easiest to open and close, deep even folds. - Back tab: rod hidden from the front, slides with some drag, flat tailored folds. - Rod pocket: rod fully hidden, barely slides, soft gathers. - None of the three can slide past a center support bracket. - Ona sells curtains only. Rods, rings, hooks and brackets are not included.
Grommet vs rod pocket vs back tab at a glance
| Heading | Rod hidden? | Opens daily? | Look | Hardware you need | Ona curtain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grommet | No. The rod shows between the rings. | Yes. The easiest of the three. | Deep, even folds. Modern and relaxed. | A plain round rod that fits through the rings, plus brackets and finials | Linen Texture Grommet Pair, Wide Grommet Panel, Velvet Grommet Pair |
| Back tab | Yes, from the front. | Sometimes. It slides with some drag. Add rings for daily use. | Flat front with soft, pleat-like folds. Tailored. | A rod that fits through the tabs. Optional clip rings, or pin hooks with rings. | Back-Tab & Rod-Pocket Pair (hung on the tabs) |
| Rod pocket | Yes, completely. | No. The fabric grips the rod. Best left in place or tied back. | Gathered, shirred top. Soft and traditional. | A rod that fits the pocket. Tension rods work. | Back-Tab & Rod-Pocket Pair (hung on the pocket) |
The details that change your order:
| Detail | Grommet | Back tab | Rod pocket |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fabric above the rod (header rise) | Stands above the rod, often 1–2″ | Stands above the rod; varies by curtain | Small, unless there's a ruffle above the pocket |
| Fullness that looks right (rule of thumb) | 1.5–2× | 1.5–2× | 2–2.5× |
| Rod fit rule | Rod about ½″ narrower than the ring's inside opening | Rod no wider than about half a tab's flat length | Rod no wider than about half the pocket's flat depth |
| Slides past a center bracket? | No | No | No |
| Traverse rod or track? | No | Yes, with pin hooks or clip rings | Yes, with pin hooks or clip rings |
| Best for | Daily-use windows, sliding doors, wide spans | Bedrooms and living rooms where looks come first | Stationary panels, tiebacks, tension rods, layering under a valance |
The fullness and fit figures are general rules of thumb, not Ona measurements. Ona's own default is 2× your rod width in total flat fabric, and the curtain calculator lets you choose anywhere from 1× to 3×.
What are grommet curtains?
Grommet curtains have metal rings set into the top hem. The rod slides straight through them, so the panels glide open and closed and fall in deep, even folds. They're also called grommet top or eyelet curtains.
- Best at: curtains you open every morning and close every night. Long draws across a sliding glass door.
- Watch for: the rod is on show, so choose one you're happy to see. The folds stand out from the wall, and the rings can't pass a center bracket.
- Make them look better: thread the rod in and out of the rings, starting from the front at the outer edge, then pull every front fold to the same depth. Our guide on how to hang grommet curtains shows each step.
What are rod pocket curtains?
Rod pocket curtains have a sewn channel across the top. The rod slides through the channel, so it's hidden and the fabric gathers into soft, shirred folds. They're also called pole pocket curtains, rod pocket drapes or casing-top curtains.
Some rod pocket curtains have a ruffle of fabric above the pocket, which stands up over the rod like a small frill. Some door panels have a pocket at the top and the bottom, so a slim rod holds each end flat against the glass.
- Best at: curtains that stay put. Panels tied back to the sides, curtains layered under a valance, or a tension rod inside a window frame.
- Watch for: they're hard to slide, because the fabric drags on the rod. Opening them every day works against you.
- Make them easier to hang: slip a small plastic bag over the end of the rod so it feeds through without snagging. Then spread the gathers evenly from end to end.
What are back tab curtains?
Back tab curtains hide the rod behind fabric loops sewn to the back of the header, so the panel falls in tidy, even folds. They're also called hidden tab or concealed tab top curtains.
They aren't the same as tab top curtains. Tab top loops sit above the panel, where you can see them. Back tabs are on the back, so the front stays flat and clean.
- Best at: a tailored, flat-front look with no rod on show. From across the room, back tabs can read like a simple pleated drape.
- Watch for: they slide less freely than grommets, and the folds can bunch when the curtain is pushed open.
- Make them slide easier: clip rings to the top edge, or pin a drapery hook into each tab and hang the hooks from rings. See how to hang back tab curtains.
One curtain, two headings
Many back tab curtains have a rod pocket as well. You choose the look by where the rod goes. Through the tabs gives flat, tailored folds. Through the pocket gives soft gathers. Use one or the other, not both at once.
Ona's Back-Tab & Rod-Pocket Pair works this way. It has hidden back tabs and a rod pocket, so you can try both on your own rod.
Grommet vs rod pocket curtains: what's the difference?
Grommet curtains slide easily and show the rod. Rod pocket curtains hide the rod but barely slide. Choose grommets for a curtain you open every day, and a rod pocket for one that stays closed or tied back.
| Grommet | Rod pocket | |
|---|---|---|
| Daily opening | Glides | Drags |
| Rod | On show, so it's part of the look | Hidden inside the fabric |
| Folds | Deep, even waves | Small, soft gathers |
| Feel | Modern, relaxed | Traditional, cottage, soft |
| Fabric above the rod | Often 1–2″ | Little or none |
The same listed length won't hang the same. A grommet panel's fabric stands higher above the rod than a rod pocket panel's. So on the same rod, a 96″ grommet curtain and a 96″ rod pocket curtain end at different heights. Work out each one separately (the length section below shows how).
Light at the top. Neither heading seals the top edge. For a darker room, mount the rod higher and wider than the window frame, so the fabric covers more of the wall around it.
Back tab vs rod pocket curtains: what's the difference?
Both hide the rod. Back tabs give flat, tailored folds and slide more easily. A rod pocket gives gathered folds and is best left in place. If a curtain has both, you can try each and keep the look you prefer.
| Back tab | Rod pocket | |
|---|---|---|
| Daily opening | Possible, with some drag | Hard |
| Front of the header | Flat and smooth | Gathered |
| Folds | Wider, pleat-like | Smaller, shirred |
| Looks best at | 1.5–2× fullness | 2–2.5× fullness |
| Rings or hooks | Pin hooks in the tabs, or clip rings | Clip rings, or pin hooks in the back of the pocket |
Switching methods moves the hem. On most curtains with both, the back tabs sit a little lower on the panel than the top of the pocket. So when you hang the same curtain on its tabs, the fabric top stands higher above the rod, and the hem rises with it. Check the length after you switch.
Back tab vs grommet curtains: which is better?
Grommets slide more easily and show the rod. Back tabs hide the rod and look more tailored, but they drag a little. Choose grommets for windows and doors you open daily. Choose back tabs where looks matter more than speed.
Both can be good blackout choices, because the heading isn't what blocks light. The fabric and how much wall it covers matter more. At Ona, the grommet pair, wide panel and back-tab pair have supplier-listed 100% blackout fabric. Light can still enter at the top, sides and center, so hang the rod wide and high and let the panels overlap.
Want a similar look on two windows with different headings? The Linen Texture Grommet Pair and the Back-Tab & Rod-Pocket Pair share four color names: Linen, Light Beige, Sage Green and Light Grey.
Which heading suits which window?
| Window or room | Best heading | Why | Ona option |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bedroom you open every morning | Grommet | Slides with one pull | Linen Texture Grommet Pair |
| Bedroom that stays mostly closed | Back tab | Tailored, rod hidden | Back-Tab & Rod-Pocket Pair, on the tabs |
| Living room, opened daily | Grommet | Glides along the rod | Linen Texture Grommet Pair or Velvet Grommet Pair |
| Sliding glass door | Grommet | Long daily draws | Wide Grommet Panel (one 70″ panel) |
| Formal living or dining room | Back tab | Flat front, even folds | Back-Tab & Rod-Pocket Pair, on the tabs |
| Panels that stay tied back | Rod pocket | Soft gathers, rod hidden | Back-Tab & Rod-Pocket Pair, on the pocket |
Ona's shortest length is 63″, so very short windows inside a frame may need a length we don't sell.
How the heading changes rod fit and length
Check that your rod fits
- Measure the rod. Measure across the pole itself, not the finials. Finials stay outside the curtain.
- Grommets: measure across the inside of one ring, not the metal rim. Choose a rod about ½″ narrower, so the rings glide.
- Rod pocket: lay the top of the curtain flat and measure the pocket from its fold to its stitch line. Keep the rod no wider than about half that depth. For example, a 3″ pocket takes a rod up to about 1½″.
- Back tabs: lay one tab flat and measure between its stitch lines. Use the same half rule.
- Check for a center bracket. Grommets, tabs and pockets can't slide past one. On a long rod with a center support, keep each panel on its own side.
Why the half rule works. A flat pocket that's D inches deep opens into a tube about 2 × D around. A rod that's d inches across needs about 3.14 × d. A 3″ pocket makes a 6″ tube, and a 1½″ rod needs about 4.7″. That leaves room to feed the fabric on.
Work out the length with the header rise
Ready-made curtain lengths run from the top of the fabric to the hem. The rod sits a little below the fabric top, by the header rise. So:
Fabric-top height = rod-top height + header rise
Then match the hem you want. These are the Ona hem finishes:
- Float: the hem sits ½″ above the floor. Length = fabric-top height − ½″.
- Floor kiss: the hem just touches. Length = fabric-top height.
- Puddle: 4″ rests on the floor. Length = fabric-top height + 4″.
It's often easier to work backward. Pick a listed length first, then set the rod to suit it.
| Heading | Example header rise | 96″ curtain, floor kiss: rod top at | 96″ curtain, float: rod top at |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grommet | 1½″ | 94½″ | 95″ |
| Back tab (on the tabs) | 2″ | 94″ | 94½″ |
| Rod pocket | ½″ | 95½″ | 96″ |
The rises above are examples. Measure yours from the top of the rod to the top of the fabric.
The curtain measuring guide walks through this with diagrams, and the curtain calculator does the math from your fabric-top height.
Get the fullness right for the heading
Fullness is total flat fabric width divided by rod width. Grommets and back tabs read well from 1.5× to 2×. Rod pockets need a little more, about 2–2.5×, or the gathers look thin and stretched.
These examples use a rod 8″ past each side of the window frame.
| Window frame | Rod | Ona panels | Total flat fabric | Fullness | Works for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36″ | 52″ | 1 pair of 52″ panels | 104″ | 2.0× | All three headings |
| 48″ | 64″ | 1 pair of 52″ panels | 104″ | 1.6× | Grommet or back tab; thin for a rod pocket |
| 48″ | 64″ | 2 Wide Grommet Panels | 140″ | 2.2× | Grommet |
| 72″ | 88″ | 2 pairs of 42″ grommet panels | 168″ | 1.9× | Grommet |
| 72″ | 88″ | 2 pairs of 52″ panels | 208″ | 2.4× | All three, and full gathers on a rod pocket |
Every Ona size is the flat size of one panel. Folds reduce the width each panel covers.
How Ona fits
| Ona curtain | Heading | Lined? | In the set | Width per panel (flat) | Lengths | Colors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linen Texture Grommet Pair | Metal grommets | Lined | 1 pair · 2 panels | 42″ or 52″ | 63–96″ (42″ wide); 63–108″ (52″ wide) | 8 |
| Wide Grommet Panel | Metal grommets | Lined | 1 panel | 70″ | 90″, 96″, 108″ | 8 |
| Velvet Grommet Pair | Metal grommets | Unlined | 1 pair · 2 panels | 52″ | 63–108″ (varies by color) | 4 |
| Back-Tab & Rod-Pocket Pair | Hidden back tabs and a rod pocket | Lined | 1 pair · 2 panels | 52″ | 63–120″ | 6 |
- Light control: the grommet pair, wide panel and back-tab pair have supplier-listed 100% blackout fabric. The velvet pair is room-darkening, not blackout.
- Texture: "linen texture" describes the look of the face fabric, not its fiber.
- Sizes: solid colors in the sizes listed. No custom sizes.
- Hardware: Ona sells curtains only. Rods, rings, hooks and brackets are not included.
- Shipping and returns: we ship within the US, and free standard shipping is shown at checkout. Returns are accepted for damaged, defective or incorrect items only.
See current prices on each product page.
Mixing headings counts. Buy 2, get 1 free, plus a bonus 20% off 4+ eligible items. Both discounts apply automatically and they stack. A pair counts as one item, and a single panel counts as one item. Mix styles, colors and sizes, so a grommet pair for the living room and a back-tab pair for the bedroom both count.
Shop grommet curtains · Shop back tab & rod pocket curtains · Find your size with the curtain calculator
Curtain heading questions, answered
What are rod pocket curtains?
Rod pocket curtains have a sewn channel across the top that the rod slides through. The rod is hidden, and the fabric gathers into soft folds. They're also called pole pocket curtains, and they suit curtains that stay in place.
Are grommet and eyelet curtains the same?
Yes. Eyelet is another name for a grommet, and it's the more common term in the UK and Australia. Both mean metal rings set into the top hem.
Are rod pocket curtains hard to open?
Usually, yes. The fabric grips the rod, so a rod pocket curtain bunches and drags when you pull it. If you open a curtain every day, choose grommets, or add clip rings to the rod pocket curtain.
Can you hang rod pocket curtains with rings?
Yes. Clip rings grip the top edge of the curtain, or pin hooks go into the back of the pocket and hang from ring eyelets. The curtain then hangs below the rod, so the rings add length. Measure from the ring's eyelet before you set the rod height.
Can you put rings or hooks on back tab curtains?
Yes. Pin a drapery hook into each tab and hang the hooks from rings, or clip rings to the top edge. Either way, the curtain slides more easily. Rings and hooks are not included with Ona curtains.
Do back tab curtains slide easily?
They slide more easily than rod pocket curtains, but less freely than grommets. The fabric tabs rub on the rod. For a curtain you open every day, add rings or choose grommets.
What are back tab rod pocket curtains?
They're curtains with both a rod pocket and hidden back tabs. Put the rod through the tabs for flat, tailored folds, or through the pocket for soft gathers. Ona's Back-Tab & Rod-Pocket Pair works this way.
What's the difference between back tab and tab top curtains?
Tab top loops sit above the panel, where you can see them. Back tabs are sewn to the back, so the rod and the loops are hidden from the front. Ona doesn't sell tab top curtains. Read more in what are back tab curtains.
Which curtain heading is best for blackout curtains?
The heading doesn't make a curtain blackout; the fabric and the coverage do. Choose lined blackout fabric, then hang the rod higher and wider than the window. Grommets suit blackout curtains you open daily, and back tabs suit ones that stay closed.
Can grommet curtains go on a traverse rod or ceiling track?
Not as they are. Traverse rods and tracks use hooks or gliders, and grommets need a plain round rod. Back tab and rod pocket curtains can go on a track with pin hooks or clip rings.
Can you mix grommet and rod pocket curtains in one room?
Yes, on separate windows. Line up the fabric tops and the hems, because each heading sits at a different height on the rod. Avoid mixing headings on one rod, where the folds and heights won't match.
Which curtain heading looks most tailored?
Of these three, back tabs. They give a flat front and even, pleat-like folds with no rod on show. Grommets look more relaxed, and rod pockets look softer and more traditional.
How we made this guide: the Ona team wrote it from our store records and standard hanging practice. Ona sells grommet, back tab and rod pocket curtains, so we have an interest in all three. Ona-specific measurements are added only once we've measured them.
Keep reading: types of curtains · how to hang grommet curtains · how to hang back tab curtains · curtain measuring guide