Quilt Fabric Conversion Calculator: Units and Width Conversion
Convert fabric length before you buy. Enter length, from unit, to unit, pattern fabric width and your fabric width, and see converted length, equivalent length at your width, and yardage to buy, with the formula in steps.
Convert your fabric
Enter the length from your pattern, in the unit you choose below.
Pattern fabric width is the width your pattern assumes. If you are only converting units, set both widths to the same value.
Your fabric width is the width of the fabric you will actually buy. Equivalent length is calculated by area, so check piece layout before buying.
This calculator is for total length you already worked out, from another calculator or from your pattern. It does not calculate piece counts or backing size. For piece counts, use the Fabric Calculator. For backing size, use the Backing Calculator.
This calculator converts length and fabric width only. It does not work out piece counts, backing size, or batting size. Use the Fabric Calculator for piece counts, and the Yardage Calculator for length to yardage.
Enter your measurements, then calculate.
| Length in inches, before width conversion | |
| Equivalent length at your fabric width | |
| Converted length, in to unit | |
| Exact yardage at your fabric width | |
| Yardage to buy at your fabric width |
How the calculator works
Step 1: Convert to inches
First, convert the length you entered to inches, using 1 yard equals 36 inches, 1 foot equals 12 inches, 1 centimetre equals 1 divided by 2.54 inches, and 1 metre equals 100 divided by 2.54 inches. For 3 yards, length in inches equals 3 times 36, equals 108 inches.
Step 2: Convert by fabric width, by area
Equivalent length at your fabric width equals length in inches times pattern fabric width divided by your fabric width. This keeps fabric area the same. For length 108 inches, pattern width 44 inches, and your width 60 inches, equivalent length equals 108 times 44 divided by 60, equals 79.2 inches. If both widths are the same, equivalent length equals length in inches, with no change.
Step 3: Convert to to unit
Converted length equals equivalent length in inches divided by inches per to unit, using 1 inch equals 1 inch, 1 foot equals 12 inches, 1 yard equals 36 inches, 1 centimetre equals 1 divided by 2.54 inches, and 1 metre equals 100 divided by 2.54 inches. For equivalent length 79.2 inches and to unit yards, converted length equals 79.2 divided by 36, equals 2.20 yards.
Step 4: Yardage to buy
Exact yardage at your fabric width equals equivalent length in inches divided by 36. Yardage to buy is exact yardage rounded up to the nearest 1/8 yard. For exact yardage 2.20 yards, yardage to buy equals 2.25 yards.
Assumptions, shown next to the result
Width conversion by area gives equivalent fabric area, but it does not guarantee that every piece in a pattern will fit in the new width layout. Check piece layout before buying, especially for large pieces that may not fit across a narrower fabric, or for directional prints. No extra is added for mistakes or shrinkage, beyond rounding yardage up.
Conversion chart
Unit conversions, and width conversions for 3 yards of 44 inch fabric, using the same formula as the calculator.
| Conversion | Result |
|---|---|
| 1 yard | 36 inches, 3 feet, 91.44 centimetres, 0.91 metres |
| 1 metre | 39.37 inches, 3.28 feet, 1.09 yards, 100 centimetres |
| 1 inch | 2.54 centimetres, 0.03 yards, 0.08 feet |
| 3 yards of 44 inch fabric, to 36 inch fabric | 132.00 inches, 3.67 yards exact, 3.75 yards to buy |
| 3 yards of 44 inch fabric, to 60 inch fabric | 79.20 inches, 2.20 yards exact, 2.25 yards to buy |
| 3 yards of 44 inch fabric, to 108 inch fabric | 44.00 inches, 1.22 yards exact, 1.25 yards to buy |
Chart values are a guide for the conversions shown. Your exact length and fabric widths may give a different result. Use the calculator above for your own measurements.
Worked example, checked against the calculator
Pattern calls for 3 yards of 44 inch fabric. You will buy 60 inch fabric. Convert to yards.
Length in inches: 3 times 36 equals 108 inches.
Equivalent length at 60 inch width: 108 times 44 divided by 60 equals 79.2 inches.
Converted length in yards: 79.2 divided by 36 equals 2.20 yards.
Exact yardage: 2.20 yards. Yardage to buy, rounded up to the nearest 1/8 yard, equals 2.25 yards.
Check by area, for sense: 3 yards of 44 inch fabric, area equals 108 times 44, equals 4752 square inches. 79.2 inches of 60 inch fabric, area equals 79.2 times 60, equals 4752 square inches. Area matches, so the conversion is correct by area, even though piece layout must still be checked.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert fabric yards to metres?
Multiply yards by 0.9144 to get metres. For example, 3 yards equals 2.74 metres. To convert metres to yards, multiply metres by 1.0936. For example, 1 metre equals 1.09 yards.
How do I convert fabric from 44 inch width to 60 inch width?
Convert length to inches, then multiply by old width divided by new width, to get equivalent length at the new width, by area. For example, 3 yards of 44 inch fabric equals 108 inches, times 44 divided by 60, equals 79.2 inches, which is 2.20 yards exact, and 2.25 yards to buy.
How many inches are in a yard?
One yard equals 36 inches, 3 feet, 91.44 centimetres, and 0.9144 metres.
Does width conversion change yardage for all patterns?
Width conversion by area gives equivalent fabric area, but it does not guarantee that every piece in a pattern will fit in the new width layout. Check piece layout before buying, especially for large pieces that may not fit across a narrower fabric, or for directional prints.
Related calculators
Quilt Inches to Yards Calculator
Inches turned into yards to buy, with exact yardage shown beside the buy amount.
Calculate inches to yards →Quilt Yardage Calculator
Pieces to yardage, in inches and yards, rounded so you buy enough.
Calculate yardage →Quilt Fabric Calculator
Total fabric for a quilt, broken down by piece.
Calculate fabric →Quilt Pieces to Yardage Calculator
Cut pieces turned into yardage, from cut piece size and count.
Calculate pieces to yardage →Quilt Backing Calculator
Backing fabric and yardage by quilt size and fabric width, with straight panels.
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Binding strips and yardage for the edge of any quilt.
Calculate binding →Guide for this topic: How to Calculate Fabric Conversion.