Quilt Fabric Calculator: Fabric Yardage for One Fabric

Work out fabric yardage for one fabric before you cut. Enter finished piece size, piece count and fabric width, and see cut size, pieces per strip, strips and yardage, with the formula in steps.

Calculate your fabric

Finished piece width in

Finished piece length in

Number of pieces needed

Overhang is the extra backing beyond the quilt top on each side. Four inches on each side is a common starting point.

Fabric width

Seam allowance for pieced backing in

Seam allowance is used only when more than one panel is needed. It is the amount lost at each join between panels.

This calculator works out yardage for one fabric only, from finished piece size and piece count. For the bottom layer, use the Backing Calculator.

Your result

Enter your measurements, then calculate.

How the calculator works

Step 1: Cut piece size

Cut piece width equals finished piece width plus 2 times seam allowance. Cut piece length equals finished piece length plus 2 times seam allowance. Seam allowance is added on both sides, so it is counted twice. For a finished square 5 by 5 inches, with 0.25 inch seam allowance, cut size is 5.5 by 5.5 inches.

Step 2: Pieces per strip

Pieces per strip equals fabric width divided by cut piece width, rounded down to the next whole piece. Only whole pieces count, because a partial piece cannot be used. For cut width 5.5 inches and fabric width 44 inches, pieces per strip equals 44 divided by 5.5, equals 8 pieces.

Step 3: Strips needed

Strips needed equals number of pieces needed divided by pieces per strip, rounded up to the next whole strip. For 100 pieces needed and 8 pieces per strip, strips needed equals 100 divided by 8, rounded up, equals 13 strips. The last strip is only partly used, but you must buy the whole strip.

Step 4: Total fabric length

Total fabric length equals strips needed times cut piece length. For 13 strips and cut length 5.5 inches, total length equals 71.5 inches.

Step 5: Yardage

Exact yardage equals total 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 entered above. Pieces are cut in strips across fabric width, with no rotation and no nesting. No extra is added for cutting mistakes or shrinkage, beyond rounding yardage up. This calculator is for one fabric only. Repeat the calculation for each fabric in your quilt top, and add yardage together, or buy each fabric separately.

Yardage chart by number of pieces

This chart uses the same formula as the calculator: finished square 5 by 5 inches, seam allowance 0.25 inch, cut size 5.5 by 5.5 inches, fabric width 44 inches, 8 pieces per strip, yardage rounded up to the nearest 1/8 yard.

Pieces needed	Strips needed	Total length	Yardage to buy
25 pieces	4 strips	22.00 in	0.63 yards
50 pieces	7 strips	38.50 in	1.13 yards
100 pieces	13 strips	71.50 in	2.00 yards
150 pieces	19 strips	104.50 in	3.00 yards
200 pieces	25 strips	137.50 in	3.88 yards

Chart yardage is a guide for the piece size shown. Your exact piece size, seam allowance and fabric width may give a different result. Use the calculator above for your own measurements.

Worked example, checked against the calculator

Finished square 5 by 5 inches, seam allowance 0.25 inch, pieces needed 100, fabric width 44 inches.

Cut piece size: width 5 plus 2 times 0.25 equals 5.5 inches. Length 5 plus 2 times 0.25 equals 5.5 inches.

Pieces per strip: 44 divided by 5.5 equals 8 pieces.

Strips needed: 100 divided by 8 equals 12.5, rounded up, equals 13 strips.

Total fabric length: 13 times 5.5 equals 71.5 inches.

Exact yardage: 71.5 divided by 36 equals 1.99 yards. Yardage to buy, rounded up to the nearest 1/8 yard, equals 2.00 yards.

Frequently asked questions

How do I calculate fabric for one quilt fabric?

Add seam allowance to both sides of finished piece size to get cut piece size. Work out how many cut pieces fit across fabric width, then how many strips you need for your total piece count, then total fabric length, and convert total length to yardage, rounded up to the nearest eighth yard.

How much fabric do I need for 100 five inch squares?

For finished squares 5 by 5 inches, with 0.25 inch seam allowance, cut size is 5.5 by 5.5 inches. With 44 inch fabric, 8 pieces fit across fabric width, 13 strips are needed for 100 pieces, total length is 71.5 inches, and yardage to buy is 2.00 yards.

What is the difference between finished size and cut size?

Finished size is the size a piece will be after it is sewn into the quilt top. Cut size is finished size plus seam allowance on both sides. For a 5 inch finished square with 0.25 inch seam allowance, cut size is 5.5 inches, because 0.25 inch is added on each side.

What seam allowance should I use for piecing?

Quilt piecing usually uses 0.25 inch seam allowance. This calculator defaults to 0.25 inch, but you can change it. Enter the seam allowance you will actually sew with, because cut size depends on it.

Does this calculator work for rectangles, not just squares?

Yes. Enter finished piece width and finished piece length separately. Cut piece width and cut piece length are each finished size plus 2 times seam allowance. Pieces per strip use cut piece width across fabric width, and total length uses cut piece length along fabric length.

Can I use this calculator for more than one fabric?

Yes, but one fabric at a time. Repeat the calculation for each fabric in your quilt top, with that fabric's piece size and piece count, and buy each fabric separately.

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