Fabric Calculator
Enter your fabric width, piece size and quantity to find how many yards to buy.
To find fabric yardage, work out how many pieces fit across the fabric's width, divide the quantity you need by that to get the number of rows, multiply the rows by the piece length, and divide by 36 to convert inches to yards. Eight 10-inch-wide, 12-inch-long pieces on 44-inch fabric need about 0.67 yards.
How to Use This Calculator
Enter the usable width of your fabric (the width minus the selvedges you won't use), the width and length of each piece you need to cut, and how many pieces. The calculator lays the pieces across the fabric width, stacks the rows, and returns the yardage to buy.
It assumes all pieces share the same orientation. For directional prints or nap, you may need extra, and it's wise to round up and add a little for shrinkage and squaring.
How the Calculation Works
First the calculator finds how many pieces fit side by side across the fabric width, rounding down since a partial piece won't fit. Dividing your quantity by that and rounding up gives the number of rows you'll cut.
Each row uses one piece-length of fabric down the bolt, so the total length is rows times the piece length. Dividing by 36 converts inches to yards, the unit fabric is sold in.
pieces per row = ⌊fabric width ÷ piece width⌋; yards = rows × piece length ÷ 36
Worked Example
For 8 pieces of 10 inches wide by 12 inches long on 44-inch fabric: 44 ÷ 10 = 4 pieces fit across each row. You need 8 ÷ 4 = 2 rows.
Two rows at 12 inches each is 24 inches, or 24 ÷ 36 = 0.67 yards. Round up to ¾ yard and add a little for safety.
Assumptions and Limitations
- Uses usable fabric width; subtract selvedges first
- Assumes all pieces cut in the same orientation
- Directional prints, nap or pattern-matching need extra fabric
- Round up and allow for shrinkage and squaring the fabric
When to Use a Fabric Calculator
Sewists and quilters use this to work out the yards of fabric needed for a number of cut pieces. Run it before shopping so you buy enough without a costly return trip or leftover waste. Enter your piece size and count to get the yardage and layout.
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Open calculator →Frequently Asked Questions
How do you calculate fabric yardage?
Find how many pieces fit across the fabric width, divide your quantity by that for the number of rows, multiply rows by the piece length, and divide by 36 to get yards.
What is usable fabric width?
The width you can actually cut from, after subtracting the selvedge edges. Enter that figure rather than the full bolt width for an accurate result.
Should I buy extra fabric?
Yes. Round up and add roughly 10% for shrinkage, squaring the fabric, and mistakes. Directional prints and pattern matching need more still.
Does this account for a directional print?
No. It assumes pieces can be laid in the same orientation. A one-way design or nap can reduce how many pieces fit, so add extra fabric.
How many inches are in a yard of fabric?
36 inches lengthwise. Fabric is sold by the yard down the bolt, while the width is fixed, which is why yardage is calculated from the length you use.
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