Drapery Yardage Formula: Complete Calculation Reference

Updated: May 27, 2026

The Full Drapery Yardage Formula

Drapery yardage has two independent dimensions. Calculate width and length separately, then multiply.

Cut Width (Per Panel)

Finished panel width = track width ÷ number of panels
Cut panel width      = finished panel width × fullness ratio + side returns × 2
Widths per panel     = ⌈ cut panel width ÷ fabric bolt width ⌉   (always round UP)

Cut Length

Cut length (no repeat) = drop + top heading + bottom hem
Cut length (w/ repeat) = ⌈ (drop + top + bottom) ÷ repeat ⌉ × repeat

Total Yardage

Total widths   = widths per panel × panels per window × number of windows
Total inches   = total widths × cut length
Total yards    = total inches ÷ 36
Total metres   = total yards × 0.9144

Variables Defined

Variable	Typical Value	Notes
Track width	Measure on site	Full rod/track length — not window frame width
Panels	2 (standard pair)	1 for single-panel; 2 for pair
Fullness ratio	2.5× (pinch pleat)	See table below
Side return	3” (8 cm) each	Section that wraps back to wall
Fabric bolt width	54” (137 cm)	Check your fabric; 54” is US standard
Top heading	4” (10 cm)	Stiffened header; holds pleat tape/buckram
Bottom hem	8” (20 cm)	Folded double = 4” (10 cm) visible
Drop	Measure on site	Top of heading to bottom of hem
Pattern repeat	0 if solid	Vertical repeat length on bolt

Fullness Ratios by Pleat Style

Style	Fullness	Extra Fabric vs Flat
Flat / Rod Pocket	1.5×	+50% over finished width
Ripplefold (80%)	1.8×	+80%
Wave / S-Fold	2.0×	+100%
Goblet / Parisian	2.25×	+125%
Pinch Pleat (standard)	2.5×	+150%
French Pleat	2.5×	+150%
Pinch Pleat (extra full)	3.0×	+200%
Box Pleat	3.0×	+200%

Bold = US workroom standard.

Worked Example: Living Room Pinch Pleat

Given:

Track width: 120”
Drop: 96”
Pleat style: Pinch pleat (2.5×)
Panels: 2
Fabric bolt width: 54”
Top heading: 4”
Bottom hem: 8”
Side return: 3” each
Pattern repeat: none

Step 1 — Width calculation:

Finished panel width = 120 ÷ 2 = 60"
Cut panel width      = 60 × 2.5 + 3 + 3 = 156"
Widths per panel     = ⌈156 ÷ 54⌉ = ⌈2.89⌉ = 3 widths

Step 2 — Length calculation:

Cut length = 96 + 4 + 8 = 108"

Step 3 — Total yardage:

Total widths = 3 × 2 panels = 6 widths
Total inches = 6 × 108 = 648"
Total yards  = 648 ÷ 36 = 18.0 yards
Total metres = 18.0 × 0.9144 = 16.46 metres

Pattern Repeat Adjustment

Without repeat adjustment, patterns will not match across seamed widths.

Formula:

Adjusted cut length = ⌈ raw cut length ÷ repeat ⌉ × repeat
Pattern waste       = adjusted cut length − raw cut length

Example: 108” raw cut length, 18” pattern repeat

⌈108 ÷ 18⌉ × 18 = 6 × 18 = 108" (already exact — no waste)

For a 102" raw cut with 18" repeat:
⌈102 ÷ 18⌉ × 18 = ⌈5.67⌉ × 18 = 6 × 18 = 108"
Waste = 108 − 102 = 6" per cut per width
Total waste for 6 widths = 6 × 6" = 36" = 1 yard

Lining Yardage

Lining is cut with the same number of widths as face fabric, but with a shorter cut length. For when and why to line draperies vs curtains, see Drapery vs Curtains:

Lining cut length = drop + 4" (basic hem each end — no heading or bottom bulk)
Lining widths     = same as face fabric total widths
Lining yards      = lining widths × lining cut length ÷ 36

For the example: 6 widths × (96 + 4) = 6 × 100 = 600” = 16.67 yards lining.

Quick Reference: Yards by Window Size

54” fabric, pinch pleat (2.5×), 2 panels, no repeat:

Track Width	Drop 84”	Drop 96”	Drop 108”	Drop 120”
72”	10.5 yd	12.0 yd	13.5 yd	15.0 yd
96”	14.0 yd	16.0 yd	18.0 yd	20.0 yd
120”	17.5 yd	20.0 yd	22.5 yd	25.0 yd
144”	21.0 yd	24.0 yd	27.0 yd	30.0 yd

Bold = most common living / dining room window.

Use the Drapery Yardage Calculator for your exact measurements.