Quilt Binding Calculator: Binding Strips and Yardage

Work out straight-grain binding before you cut. Enter finished quilt size, strip width and fabric width, and see perimeter, binding length, strips and yardage, with the formula in steps.

Calculate your binding

Finished quilt width in

Finished quilt length in

Binding strip width, cut in

Binding strip width is the cut width of each strip, not the finished width on the quilt edge. A common cut width for double fold binding is 2.5 inches.

Extra for joins, corners and overlap in

Extra length covers joining strips, turning corners, and the final overlap where binding ends meet. The default is 12 inches. Change it if your method needs more or less.

Fabric width

Seam allowance for joined strips in

Seam allowance is used only when strips are joined end to end. It is the amount lost at each join.

This calculator works out straight grain binding for straight edges. For curved edges, use the Bias Binding Calculator. Binding is calculated from finished quilt size, after borders are added, not from the original top size.

Your result

Enter your measurements, then calculate.

How the calculator works

Step 1: Perimeter

Perimeter equals 2 times finished width plus 2 times finished length. Use finished quilt size, after borders are added, because binding goes around the finished edge, not the original top.

Step 2: Binding length needed

Binding length needed equals perimeter plus extra for joins, corners and overlap. The default extra is 12 inches. Change it if your method needs more or less.

Step 3: Strips needed

If binding length needed fits in one fabric width, you need 1 strip. If not, each extra strip adds fabric width minus seam allowance, because seam allowance is lost at each join. Strips are rounded up.

Step 4: Yardage

Fabric length to buy equals strips times binding strip width, because each strip is binding strip width wide. Exact yardage equals fabric length divided by 36 in inch mode. Yardage to buy is exact yardage rounded up to the nearest 1/8 yard. In centimetre mode, metres to buy are rounded up to the nearest 0.1 metre. The unit toggle changes all inputs, outputs and rounding together.

Assumptions, shown next to the result

Fabric width is the nominal width. Seam allowance applies only at strip joins. No extra is added for cutting mistakes or shrinkage, beyond the extra length you enter for joins, corners and overlap. This calculator is for straight grain binding on straight edges. For curved edges, use bias binding.

Straight grain binding and bias binding are different

Straight grain binding is cut along the grain, and it suits straight edges. Bias binding is cut on the diagonal, so it stretches around curves. Do not use straight grain binding yardage for a curved edge. Use the Bias Binding Calculator for that job.

Yardage chart by quilt size

This chart uses the same formula as the calculator: binding strip width 2.5 inches, 44 inch fabric, 0.5 inch seam allowance, extra 12 inches, yardage rounded up to the nearest 1/8 yard. Finished sizes are after a 4 inch border, as in the border chart.

Quilt size	Finished size	Perimeter	Strips	Yardage to buy
Baby	44 by 56 in	200 in	5	0.38 yards
Lap	58 by 68 in	252 in	7	0.50 yards
Twin	76 by 96 in	344 in	9	0.63 yards
Full	88 by 100 in	376 in	9	0.63 yards
Queen	98 by 116 in	428 in	11	0.88 yards
King	116 by 116 in	464 in	11	0.88 yards

Chart yardage is a guide for the sizes shown. Your exact finished size, binding strip width and fabric width may give a different result. Use the calculator above for your own measurements.

Worked example, checked against the calculator

Finished quilt size 68 by 80 inches, binding strip width 2.5 inches, fabric width 44 inches, seam allowance 0.5 inch, extra 12 inches.

Perimeter: 2 times 68 plus 2 times 80 equals 296 inches.

Binding length needed: 296 plus 12 equals 308 inches.

Strips needed: 308 inches does not fit in 44 inches. Each extra strip adds 43.5 inches. Strips equal 1 plus the ceiling of (308 minus 44) divided by 43.5, which is 8 strips.

Fabric length to buy: 8 times 2.5 equals 20 inches. Exact yardage: 20 divided by 36 equals 0.56 yards. Yardage to buy, rounded up to the nearest 1/8 yard, equals 0.63 yards.

Frequently asked questions

How do I calculate quilt binding?

Add up the perimeter of the finished quilt, add extra for joining strips, corners and final overlap, work out strips needed from fabric width, and convert strips times binding strip width to yardage.

How much fabric do I need for quilt binding?

It depends on finished quilt size, binding strip width and fabric width. Use the calculator above with your finished quilt size, binding strip width and fabric width. The result shows perimeter, binding length needed, strips needed and yardage to buy.

What is the difference between straight grain and bias binding?

Straight grain binding is cut along the grain of the fabric, and it suits straight edges. Bias binding is cut on the diagonal, so it stretches and suits curved edges. Use the Bias Binding Calculator for bias binding.

Do binding strips need seam allowance?

Yes, when strips are joined end to end. Each join loses seam allowance from usable strip length. This calculator accounts for seam allowance when it works out how many strips you need.

What binding strip width should I use?

It depends on the binding method you use. A common cut width for double fold binding is 2.5 inches. Enter the cut width for your own method in the calculator above, and the yardage will follow that width.

Should I measure binding from top size or finished size?

Finished size, after borders are added. Binding goes around the finished edge, so measuring from the original top will give a perimeter that is too small, and binding will come up short.

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