Quilt Pieces to Yardage Calculator: Cut Pieces to Yardage

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

Calculate pieces to yardage

Cut piece width in

Cut 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

This calculator uses cut size, not finished size. If you only know finished size, use the Fabric Calculator, which adds seam allowance for you.

This calculator works out yardage from cut pieces only. For finished size, use the Fabric Calculator. For the bottom layer, use the Backing Calculator.

Your result

Enter your measurements, then calculate.

How the calculator works

Step 1: 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 3.5 inches and fabric width 44 inches, pieces per strip equals 44 divided by 3.5, rounded down, equals 12 pieces.

Step 2: Pieces per yard, for comparison

Strips per yard equals 36 divided by cut piece length, rounded down to the next whole strip, because only whole strips fit in one yard. Pieces per yard equals pieces per strip times strips per yard. For cut length 3.5 inches and pieces per strip 12, strips per yard equals 36 divided by 3.5, rounded down, equals 10 strips, and pieces per yard equals 12 times 10, equals 120 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 120 pieces needed and 12 pieces per strip, strips needed equals 120 divided by 12, equals 10 strips.

Step 4: Total fabric length

Total fabric length equals strips needed times cut piece length. For 10 strips and cut length 3.5 inches, total length equals 35 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. Cut size already includes seam allowance, so no seam allowance is added here. 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, and buy each fabric separately.

Yardage chart by number of pieces

This chart uses the same formula as the calculator: cut square 3.5 by 3.5 inches, fabric width 44 inches, 12 pieces per strip, 120 pieces per yard, yardage rounded up to the nearest 1/8 yard.

Pieces needed	Strips needed	Total length	Yardage to buy
60 pieces	5 strips	17.50 in	0.50 yards
120 pieces	10 strips	35.00 in	1.00 yards
240 pieces	20 strips	70.00 in	2.00 yards
360 pieces	30 strips	105.00 in	3.00 yards
480 pieces	40 strips	140.00 in	4.00 yards

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

Worked example, checked against the calculator

Cut square 3.5 by 3.5 inches, pieces needed 120, fabric width 44 inches.

Pieces per strip: 44 divided by 3.5 equals 12.57, rounded down, equals 12 pieces.

Pieces per yard: strips per yard equals 36 divided by 3.5, rounded down, equals 10 strips. Pieces per yard equals 12 times 10, equals 120 pieces.

Strips needed: 120 divided by 12 equals 10 strips.

Total fabric length: 10 times 3.5 equals 35 inches.

Exact yardage: 35 divided by 36 equals 0.97 yards. Yardage to buy, rounded up to the nearest 1/8 yard, equals 1.00 yard.

Frequently asked questions

How do I convert pieces to yardage?

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 many yards do I need for 120 pieces, 3.5 inches square?

For cut squares 3.5 by 3.5 inches, with 44 inch fabric, 12 pieces fit across fabric width, 10 strips are needed for 120 pieces, total length is 35 inches, and yardage to buy is 1.00 yard.

What is the difference between cut size and finished size?

Cut size is the size you actually cut, including seam allowance. Finished size is the size a piece will be after it is sewn into the quilt top. This calculator uses cut size, because you cut cut size. If you only know finished size, use the Fabric Calculator, which adds seam allowance for you.

How many pieces can I cut from one yard?

Pieces per yard equals pieces per strip times strips per yard. Strips per yard equals 36 divided by cut piece length, rounded down. For cut squares 3.5 by 3.5 inches, with 44 inch fabric, pieces per yard equals 12 times 10, equals 120 pieces.

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