Quilt Fabric Calculator
Yardage for quilt top, backing, and binding from finished size.
What it does
Quilt yardage is area math with seam sense. The finished top sets the base, cutting waste adds the margin, and backing plus binding each follow their own oversize rules.
The tool above sizes all three cuts. A 60 by 80 in quilt at 15 % waste needs 3.5 yd for the top, 4 yd for backing, and 0.5 yd for binding. Metric makers get 3.2 m, 3.7 m, and 0.4 m for the 152 by 203 cm match.
Cloth width sets the divisor. US quilting cotton at 44 in wide gives 1584 in2 per yard, while 110 cm goods give 11000 cm2 per meter. Backing adds 8 in or 20 cm per side so the long arm can grip.
Binding is a perimeter job. Length around the quilt plus 10 in for corners and joins, times a 2.5 in strip, gives the small yardage that finishes the edge.
Directional prints and large repeats break the base math. When motifs must run one way, add roughly half a yard so each block can be cut on pattern.
How to use
- Pick imperial (in, yd) or metric (cm, m).
- Enter finished width and length.
- Enter waste, often 15.
- Read top yardage first.
- Read backing next, then binding.
- Buy one extra fat quarter for directional prints.
Formula
- W
- Finished quilt width.
- L
- Finished quilt length.
- waste
- Cut waste share, in percent.
Imperial cloth is 44 in wide, so one yard covers 1584 in2. Metric cloth is 110 cm wide, so one meter covers 11000 cm2, with 20 cm added per side for backing.
Worked example
Example: 60 by 80 in quilt
Imperial defaults: 60 by 80 in with 15 % waste. These are also the default values, so the page opens on this answer.
- Top: 60 in by 80 in, so area is 60 x 80 = 4800 in2.
- Waste: 15 %, so cut area is 4800 x 1.15 = 5520 in2.
- Cloth 44 in wide gives 44 x 36 = 1584 in2 per yard.
- Top yards: 5520 / 1584 = 3.5 yd.
- Backing: (60 + 8) x (80 + 8) x 1.05 / 1584 = 4 yd. Binding: (280 + 10) x 2.5 / 1584 = 0.5 yd.
- Tool shows 3.5 yd, 4 yd, 0.5 yd.
Reference table
| Quilt | Area | Top |
|---|---|---|
| 50 by 70 in | 3500 in2 | 2.5 yd |
| 60 by 80 in | 4800 in2 | 3.5 yd |
| 72 by 90 in | 6480 in2 | 4.7 yd |
| 152 by 203 cm | 30856 cm2 | 3.2 m |
Limits
- Top math only. Patchwork piece counts need layout planning.
- Assumes 44 in or 110 cm goods. Wide backings change backing math.
- Ignores batting, thread, and quilting shrinkage.
- Directional repeats need extra beyond waste.
Common mistakes
- Measuring the mattress, not the drop, then piecing short.
- Forgetting backing oversize for long arm loading.
- Cutting binding on the lengthwise grain with no stretch.
- Skipping waste, then losing to miscuts.
- Mixing washed and unwashed cloth that shrinks apart.
Try it yourself
Quick checks. Answers sit tucked under each question.
50 by 70 in at 15 % waste: top?
Area is 50 x 70 = 3500 in2. Cut area is 3500 x 1.15 = 4025. Top is 4025 / 1584 = 2.5 yd. Backing is 58 x 78 x 1.05 / 1584 = 3 yd.
152 by 152 cm at 15 % waste: top?
Area is 152 x 152 = 23104 cm2. Cut area is 23104 x 1.15 = 26569.6. Top is 26569.6 / 11000 = 2.4 m.
Questions
How many yards for the top?
Divide cut area by cloth area per yard. A 60 by 80 in top at 15 % waste is 5520 / 1584 = 3.5 yd.
How much backing?
Add 8 in to each side, add 5 %, then divide by 1584. Here (68 x 88 x 1.05) / 1584 = 4 yd.
How much binding?
Take perimeter plus 10 in, times 2.5 in strip width, divided by 1584. Here (290 x 2.5) / 1584 = 0.5 yd.
Extra for directional fabric?
Yes for directional prints and large repeats. Add one extra repeat per cut length, often 0.5 yd more.
Should I prewash?
Prewash when mixing makers or deep colors. Skip when the whole quilt uses one pre shrunk line.
Does this include batting?
No. Batting, thread, and quilting density need their own plans.