Quilt Binding Calculator
Quilt binding length, strips, and yardage.
What it does
Binding wraps the raw sandwich edge in one continuous run: around the quilt plus tails for corners and joins. Strips then turn that run into cuts across the goods, and strip width turns cuts into yardage. This page runs all three in inches or cm.
The default is a 60 by 80 in quilt. Perimeter is 280 in, need with overlap is 290 in, strips are 8, and fabric is 0.6 yd at 2.5 in wide. Metric defaults convert the same quilt to 152 by 203 cm and give 735 cm, the same 8 strips, and 0.52 m.
Overlap is not waste. Mitered corners fold extra, diagonal joins eat length, and starting tails need holding room, which is why 10 in (25 cm) is a floor rather than padding. Large quilts with many joins want more.
Straight grain 2.5 in strips fit this page. Bias binding for curves, wide flange looks, and scrappy pieced strips all change width and seam loss, so plan those by hand.
How to use
- Pick imperial or metric first.
- Enter quilt length and width.
- Read binding length first.
- Read strip count next.
- Read fabric to buy last.
Formula
- L
- Quilt length in the active units.
- W
- Quilt width in the active units.
- strip run
- Usable strip length per cut.
Overlap covers corners, joins, and tails at start and finish. Strips assume 40 in usable from 44 in goods and 100 cm usable from 110 cm goods at 2.5 in (6.5 cm) wide. Bias, scalloped, or extra wide binding changes both length and width.
Worked example
Example: twin size quilt
60 by 80 in quilt (metric 152 by 203 cm).
- Perimeter: 2 x (60 + 80) = 280 in.
- With overlap: 280 + 10 = 290 in.
- Strips: 290 / 40 = 7.25, up to 8 strips.
- Fabric: 8 x 2.5 / 36 = 0.6 yd.
- Metric: 152 by 203 cm needs 735 cm, 8 strips, 0.52 m.
- Tool shows 290 in and 0.6 yd imperial.
Reference table
| Quilt | Need | Strips |
|---|---|---|
| 40 x 60 in | 210 in | 6 |
| 50 x 70 in | 250 in | 7 |
| 60 x 80 in | 290 in | 8 |
| 72 x 90 in | 334 in | 9 |
| 90 x 108 in | 406 in | 11 |
Limits
- Straight edges only. Curves need bias math.
- One width per pass (2.5 in / 6.5 cm).
- Usable width fixed at 40 in / 100 cm.
- Ignores piecing loss in scrappy strips.
Common mistakes
- Skipping overlap for corners and joins.
- Measuring the top before quilting draw in.
- Mixing inches with cm mid chain.
- Cutting exactly need with no spare strip.
- Reading need as fabric without strip math.
Try it yourself
Quick checks. Answers sit tucked under each question.
40 by 60 in quilt?
210 in (2 x 100 + 10), 6 strips (210 / 40 = 5.25, up to 6).
50 by 70 in quilt?
250 in (2 x 120 + 10), 7 strips (250 / 40 = 6.25, up to 7).
Questions
How much binding?
Twice length plus width, plus 10 in. Here 290 in.
How many strips?
Need over 40 in, rounded up. Here 8 strips.
How much fabric?
Strips times 2.5 in over 36. Here 0.6 yd.
What is that in metric?
735 cm, 8 strips, 0.52 m at 6.5 cm wide.
Standard strips?
Yes for 2.5 in strips. Wider or bias strips need their own pass.
Shaped edges?
No. Scallops, prairie points, and wide borders sit outside straight math.