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Quilt Fabric Calculator: Yardage for Top, Backing & Binding

Calculate quilt fabric yardage for top, backing, and binding. Choose quilt size and number of fabrics — get yards per color, backing panels, and binding.

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How to Use This Calculator

  1. 1

    Choose your quilt size

    Select from preset sizes (Baby, Lap, Twin, Full, Queen, King) or enter custom width and length in inches.

  2. 2

    Enter number of fabrics

    How many different fabric colors or prints are in your quilt top. The yardage is split equally between all fabrics.

  3. 3

    Set waste percentage

    Choose 10% for simple solids, 15% (default) for standard patchwork, or 20% for complex directional or printed patterns with fussy cutting.

  4. 4

    Calculate backing and binding separately

    Switch to the Backing tab and enter the same quilt dimensions and your backing fabric width. Then use the Binding tab with your preferred strip width to get the binding yardage.

What Each Value Means

WOF (Width of Fabric) (inches)
The full width of the fabric from selvage to selvage. Standard quilting cotton is sold as 44" WOF but usable width after removing selvages is 42". Always use usable width in calculations.
Fat Quarter (18"×22" piece)
A quarter-yard cut that measures 18"×22" instead of 9"×44". The 'fat' shape gives more cutting options for quilt blocks than a standard quarter yard. One fat quarter equals 0.25 yards of standard WOF fabric.
Usable Fabric Width (inches)
Actual width available for cutting after removing selvages (the tightly woven edges). A 44" fabric typically yields 42" usable. Pre-washed fabric may shrink to 42" WOF, leaving only 40" usable.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much fabric do I need for a quilt top?
Multiply quilt width × length to get area in square inches. Add 15% for waste and seam allowances. Divide by usable fabric width × 36 (inches per yard) to get total yards, then divide by number of fabrics. Example: 60×90" twin quilt, 4 fabrics, 44" WOF — total = (5,400 × 1.15) ÷ 1,512 = 4.1 yards ÷ 4 = about 1 yard per fabric.
How many yards of fabric do I need for quilt backing?
Add 8" to both quilt dimensions (4" overhang per side). Divide the new width by usable fabric width (42" for 44" WOF) to get the number of panels. Multiply panels × new length ÷ 36. Example: 60×90" quilt → backing 68×98" → ceil(68÷42) = 2 panels → 2×98=196"÷36 = 5.5 yards.
How do I calculate quilt binding yardage?
Calculate the quilt perimeter: 2×(width + length). Add 12" for mitered corners and joining. Divide by 42" (usable WOF) to get number of strips, rounding up. Multiply strips × strip width (usually 2.25"). Divide by 36 for yards. Example: 60×90" quilt → 300" perimeter + 12 = 312" ÷ 42 = 8 strips × 2.25" = 18" ÷ 36 = 0.5 yard.
What is the standard quilt binding width?
2.25" is the most common cut width for double-fold binding, which gives a finished binding of approximately 1/4" on each side. Some quilters prefer 2.5" for a slightly fuller binding. Single-fold binding uses 1.5" strips. Always cut crossgrain (selvage to selvage) for flexibility around corners.
What size is a lap quilt?
A standard lap quilt is 50×65" — big enough to cover one person on a sofa. Throw quilts are similar at 50×60" to 55×70". Baby quilts are 36×45". Twin quilts are 60×90". Queen quilts are 90×108" with enough drop to hang over the sides of a queen bed.
How do I calculate backing fabric with wide backing fabric?
Wide backing fabric (108" wide) usually eliminates seams on all but the largest quilts. For a queen quilt (90×108"), you need backing 98×116". 98"÷106" usable = 1 panel — a single length of 116"÷36 = 3.25 yards. King quilts (108×108") need 116×116" backing — 2 panels × 116" ÷ 36 = 6.5 yards.

References & Sources

  1. [1]
    Smithsonian Institution — History of American Quilting (opens in new tab)

    Supports: Evidence used for how much fabric for a quilt? complete yardage guide by size, including related formulas, definitions, or reference values.

    Verified

  2. [2]
    American Quilter's Society — Standard Quilt Sizes (opens in new tab)

    Supports: Evidence used for quilt fabric chart: yardage by size, backing & binding reference, including related formulas, definitions, or reference values.

    Verified

  3. [3]
    Fat Quarter Shop - Quilt Backing Reference Chart (opens in new tab)

    Supports: Published backing-yardage chart based on quilt dimensions and 42-inch fabric.

    Verified

  4. [4]
    National Quilting Association — Fabric and Yardage Guidelines (opens in new tab)

    Supports: Evidence used for quilt yardage formula: how to calculate fabric for any quilt, including related formulas, definitions, or reference values.

    Verified