Shade Sail Measuring Guide

SUNLAX / SIZING GUIDE

Measure your space. Choose your sail size.

Measure between the exact mounting points, then use the guide below to estimate the sail size to look for when you order.

Find your shape ↓
Ivory rectangular shade sail stretched above a stone patio

Measure and size by shape

At the planned mounting height, pull the tape straight from one hardware attachment point to the next. Record all spans in the same unit.

A and B show the measured spans between mounting points. a and b show the estimated sail size, measured straight from corner to corner.

Corner clearance: The orange segments show the 0.5–1 ft planning allowance from each sail corner to its matching mounting point. Check the clearance required by your hardware before ordering. Diagrams are schematic.

The data may have an error of 1-6in

square shade sail diagram showing A and a on all sides. Lowercase measurements run between the D-rings, with 0.5–1 ft of clearance at each corner.

Square

Check all four sides. Use A for the common distance between adjacent anchors.

01 · MEASURE BETWEEN ANCHORS

A × A

Example measurement: 12 ft × 12 ft

02 · ESTIMATE SAIL SIZE

a × a

a ≈ A × 0.88
Example target: 10.56 ft × 10.56 ft

rectangle shade sail diagram showing A and a on the long sides, B and b on the short sides. Lowercase measurements run between the D-rings, with 0.5–1 ft of clearance at each corner.

Rectangle

Measure the long span A and the short span B. Verify both pairs of opposite sides.

01 · MEASURE BETWEEN ANCHORS

A × B

Example measurement: 16 ft × 12 ft

02 · ESTIMATE SAIL SIZE

a × b

a ≈ A × 0.88
b ≈ B × 0.88
Example target: 14.08 ft × 10.56 ft

equilateral triangle shade sail diagram showing A and a on all three sides. Lowercase measurements run between the D-rings, with 0.5–1 ft of clearance at each corner.

Equilateral triangle

Measure all three anchor-to-anchor distances. Use A if all three are equal.

01 · MEASURE BETWEEN ANCHORS

A × A × A

Example measurement: 12 ft × 12 ft × 12 ft

02 · ESTIMATE SAIL SIZE

a × a × a

a ≈ A × 0.85
Example target: 10.20 ft × 10.20 ft × 10.20 ft

right triangle shade sail diagram showing A and a on the equal legs, B and b on the diagonal. Lowercase measurements run between the D-rings, with 0.5–1 ft of clearance at each corner.

Right triangle

Measure the two equal legs A that meet at 90°, then measure the diagonal B directly.

01 · MEASURE BETWEEN ANCHORS

A × A × B

Example measurement: 10 ft × 10 ft × 14.14 ft

02 · ESTIMATE SAIL SIZE

a × a × b

a ≈ A × 0.85 for each leg
b ≈ B × 0.88 for the diagonal
Example target: 8.50 ft × 8.50 ft × 12.44 ft

Before you select a size

  1. Check the product’s size chart. Compare the estimated corner-to-corner dimensions with the listed dimensions for your shape. For right triangles, compare all three sides together. Confirm which dimensions the product lists for the two legs and the diagonal.
  2. Check room for hardware at every corner. Use the chosen product’s installation instructions to check the space needed for the connectors and tensioning hardware.
  3. Between sizes or working with uneven spans? Check the fit before rounding up or placing an order. Send us the shape, each measured span, the units and a sketch of the mounting points.

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Email service@sunlaxoutdoor.com