Bunting Buying Guide: How Much Bunting Do I Need?

To work out how much bunting you need, measure the distance of each run between your fixing points, add them together, then add about 10–20% for the drape and for tying off at each end. As a rule of thumb, a gentle sag needs around 10% extra and a deeper, more festive swag nearer 20%. Then round up to the nearest combination of our bunting lengths.

The simple method

1. Decide where it will hang. Walk the space and pick your fixing points: corners of a building, beams, hooks, gateposts or trees.
2. Measure each run in a straight line between fixing points. A tape measure is best, but pacing it out gives a reasonable estimate for long outdoor runs.
3. Add the runs together. If you are zig-zagging across a ceiling or a street, count every crossing.
4. Add 10–20% for sag and for the tape you need to tie off at each fixing point.
5. Round up to the lengths available. It is always easier to bunch up a little extra than to stretch bunting that is too short.

Our bunting lengths

A 12 m length of triangle bunting is also available. Rectangle and giant bunting use woven polyester flags on strong polyester tape; triangle bunting uses heat-cut polyester flags sewn onto polyester tape.

Worked examples

A house front

Say the front of your house is 7 m wide and you want one run across it between the upstairs window frames or two corner hooks. Add 15% for a gentle drape and the ties: 7 m x 1.15 is about 8 m. A single 9 m length of rectangle bunting covers it with a little to spare. If you want a second run lower down, across the porch or bay window, measure that too and add a 3 m or second 9 m length.

A village hall

For a hall 12 m long and 6 m wide, decorating the walls all the way round means a perimeter of 36 m. Add 10% and you need about 40 m. Two 20 m lengths of triangle bunting do this neatly. If you would rather zig-zag across the ceiling, five crossings of 6 m make 30 m; with 15% added, about 35 m, so four 9 m lengths of rectangle bunting (36 m) would work.

A street party across a road

For a residential road about 8 m wide between facing houses, plan each crossing at 8 m plus around 20%, as runs across a road need a deeper sag to stay well above head height and to allow for the fixings. That is roughly 9.5 m per crossing. Four crossings come to about 38 m, so two 20 m lengths of triangle bunting, or two lengths of giant bunting (36.5 m) with slightly shorter crossings, would suit. Giant bunting is the better choice for a long street because it reads clearly from the far end. Before you plan anything across a public road, check with your council first, as a road closure or permission may be needed. Our guide on how to hang bunting covers safe fixing.

A pub interior

Inside a pub, bunting usually runs along the bar back, across beams and around the walls. Measure each section separately: a 5 m bar back, two 6 m beams and a 9 m wall would be 26 m. With 10% added that is about 29 m, so three 9 m lengths plus one 3 m length of rectangle bunting (30 m). Smaller rectangle flags suit lower ceilings, where giant bunting can feel crowded.

Rectangle, triangle or giant: which should I choose?

• Rectangle bunting shows each flag's full design, which matters for national flags such as the Union Jack or the St George's Cross. The 9x6in flags are ideal for houses, halls, shops and pubs, where people see them from a few metres away. Our Union Jack rectangular bunting is a popular all-rounder.
• Triangle bunting gives the traditional pennant look and suits fetes, weddings, gardens and street parties. Browse our triangle bunting.
• Giant bunting uses 18x12in flags, twice the width of standard rectangle bunting, so it reads from a distance: across a street, along a sports ground, on a large building or in a big marquee. Our Union Jack giant bunting comes in an 18.25 m length.

If you are unsure how the flag sizes compare, our guide to flag sizes explained sets them side by side.

Indoor or outdoor?

Our bunting is made from polyester on polyester tape, so it is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. Polyester shrugs off a shower and dries quickly. For outdoor runs, allow a little more sag so the line is not under strain in the wind, and bring bunting in during strong winds or long spells of bad weather to keep it looking its best. Make sure it is fully dry before you pack it away.

Mixing nations for tournaments and events

For football and rugby tournaments, or international events, many customers mix bunting of different nations. A common approach is to alternate lengths, for example England and the Union Jack, or to hang a length for each competing nation you want to support. If you are supporting England, browse our St George bunting range. Keep the flag sizes consistent along one run, mixing rectangle with rectangle, so the line looks even.

Frequently asked questions

How much bunting do I need for a 10 m run?

Allow about 11–12 m. A 9 m rectangle length plus a 3 m length, or a 12 m triangle length where available, would cover it.

How many flags are on a length of bunting?

Our rectangle bunting has 10 flags per 3 m and 30 flags per 9 m. Giant bunting has 30 flags per 18.25 m. Triangle bunting has 12 flags per 5 m and 54 flags per 20 m.

Can I join lengths of bunting together?

Yes. Lengths can be tied together at the tape ends to make a longer run. Allow a little extra in your measurement for the knots.

Is bunting suitable for outdoor use?

Yes. Our polyester bunting is suitable for indoor and outdoor use. Take it down in strong winds and dry it before storing.

Which bunting is best for a street party?

Triangle bunting gives a traditional look, while giant bunting reads best from a distance along a long street. Check with your council before hanging bunting across a public road.

Once you have your measurements, browse our full bunting range for rectangle, triangle and giant bunting in British, county and world designs.