These curtains are semi-sheer, but only because they are cotton.  If they were poly or rayon, they would be sheer.  Most light comes through, but they are not "clear."  I needed to shorten mine, as they were substituting for a closet door.  Interestingly, the edges were 81" long, but the middle was 86".  It was a bear to hem straight, but it looks great now.  I do think that if these were going to hang on rods where they don't touch the floor (like in the photo provided by the website) that you would notice the difference.  Overall, they are cute and fit the bill, with my alterations.