How much fabric do I need for a quilt?

Fabric requirements depend on your finished quilt size, block size, seam allowance, and whether you include borders, sashing, and binding. This quilting calculator lets you enter your measurements and instantly estimates yardage for the quilt top, borders, backing, and binding.

What seam allowance does this quilting calculator use?

By default the calculator uses a 1/4 inch seam allowance, which is standard for quilting. You can change the seam allowance field if you prefer a different value, and all block and strip calculations will update automatically.

Can I use this calculator with metric measurements?

The inputs are in inches because most quilting patterns and fabric bolts are specified in inches. If you work in centimeters, you can convert your measurements to inches first, or use a separate length converter and then enter the inch values here.

Does the calculator include extra fabric for squaring up and mistakes?

Yes. Each module adds a small safety margin to the raw math so you are not short on fabric. For critical projects, you can round up to the next 1/4 yard or add an extra 1/8–1/4 yard beyond the calculator result.

Quilting Calculator

Plan your quilt in minutes. Calculate fabric yardage, binding, borders, backing, batting, block counts, and precuts from one simple screen.

Common quilt settings

Seam allowance (in)

Fabric width (WOF, in)

Typical quilting cotton is 40–44" wide.

Extra safety margin (%)

Quilt top fabric yardage

Estimate how much fabric you need for the quilt top based on finished quilt size and block size.

Finished quilt width (in)

Finished quilt height (in)

Finished block width (in)

Finished block height (in)

How this quilting calculator works

This quilting calculator is designed to replace multiple separate tools. Instead of jumping between different apps for binding, borders, backing, and blocks, you can plan your entire quilt from one page.

1. Quilt top yardage

The quilt top yardage tool assumes a simple layout of identical rectangular blocks. You enter the finished quilt size and finished block size. The calculator:

Computes how many blocks are needed across and down.
Calculates the total finished area of all blocks.
Converts that area into an equivalent length of fabric at your chosen width of fabric (WOF).
Adds your safety margin and converts inches to yards.

Key formulas:
Blocks across = ceil(quilt width ÷ block width)
Blocks down = ceil(quilt height ÷ block height)
Total block area = blocks across × blocks down × block width × block height
Fabric length (in) ≈ total block area ÷ fabric width
Fabric yards = fabric length (in) ÷ 36 × (1 + safety margin%)

2. Binding calculator

Binding is based on the perimeter of the finished quilt plus a join allowance. The tool supports both straight-grain and bias binding. Bias binding requires a bit more fabric, so the calculator automatically adds an extra factor.

Perimeter = 2 × (width + height)
Required binding length = perimeter + 10" (for joins and corners)
Number of strips = ceil(required length ÷ usable WOF)
Yardage = (number of strips × strip width) ÷ 36

3. Border yardage

For each border, the calculator treats the border as four strips (top, bottom, left, right) cut from WOF and joined as needed. You can enter one or two border widths.

Border length needed = 2 × (quilt width + quilt height) + join allowance
Strips needed = ceil(border length ÷ usable WOF)
Yardage = (strips needed × border strip width) ÷ 36

4. Backing and batting

Backing and batting should be larger than the quilt top so you can quilt and square up safely. The calculator adds extra inches on all sides, then figures out how many WOF panels you need to piece together.

Backing width = quilt width + 2 × extra
Backing height = quilt height + 2 × extra
Panels across = ceil(backing width ÷ fabric width)
Panel length = backing height
Total yardage = (panels across × panel length) ÷ 36

5. Blocks, sashing, and layout

The layout planner lets you experiment with block counts, sashing, and borders to see the final quilt size. This is especially helpful when adapting a pattern or designing your own.

6. Precut helper

The precut helper estimates how many charm squares, layer cakes, or jelly roll strips you need for a given quilt size. It assumes a simple grid layout and standard precut sizes:

Charm squares: 5" × 5" (approx. 4.5" finished with 1/4" seams).
Layer cakes: 10" × 10" (approx. 9.5" finished).
Jelly roll strips: 2.5" × WOF (used as rows or subcut into smaller units).

Tips for accurate quilting calculations

Always round up yardage to the nearest 1/8 or 1/4 yard to allow for cutting errors.
Measure your actual fabric width; some bolts are closer to 40" than 44".
Pre-washing can shrink fabric; if you pre-wash, consider adding a bit more yardage.
For directional prints or fussy cutting, add extra fabric beyond the calculator result.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use this calculator for any quilt pattern?

You can use it for most traditional patchwork quilts made from rectangular blocks, borders, and standard binding. For complex applique, improv, or heavily pieced blocks, treat the calculator as a starting point and add extra fabric.

What if my quilt has multiple fabrics in the top?

Run the quilt top yardage tool once for each fabric. For example, if your block uses a background and two contrast fabrics, estimate how many blocks use each fabric and calculate yardage separately.

How much extra backing should I add?

Many longarm quilters request 4–6 inches of extra backing and batting on each side of the quilt top. Check with your quilter and enter that value in the “extra on each side” field.

Quilt type	Typical size (in)
Baby	36 × 52
Throw	50 × 65
Twin	70 × 90
Full/Double	80 × 90
Queen	90 × 100
King	100 × 110