Fabric Yardage Calculator
Built by Johnny Alto · free, no sign-up · updated July 26, 2026
Find how many yards of fabric you need to cut a set of pieces. Enter the piece size, how many you need, and your fabric width, and the calculator lays them out both ways and reports the yardage for whichever orientation wastes less, so you buy the right amount.
Buy0yards
Layout0across x rows
Assumes pieces line up on grain with no pattern matching. Add extra for shrinkage (prewash first), pattern repeats, and directional prints. Standard quilting cotton is about 42 to 44 inches of usable width; home-dec and upholstery fabric is often 54 inches.
How to calculate fabric yardage
Buying fabric by the yard means working backward from the pieces you need to cut. Fabric comes in a fixed width, so the first question is how many pieces fit across that width in a row. Divide the fabric width by the piece width and round down. Then divide the number of pieces you need by that to get the number of rows, and multiply the rows by the piece length to get the total length of fabric, which you convert to yards by dividing by 36.
Often you can fit more by rotating the pieces so their length runs across the fabric instead of their width. This calculator tries both orientations and gives you the one that needs less fabric.
Always buy a little extra
The clean calculation assumes perfect, grain-aligned cutting with no pattern to match. Real projects need a cushion. Prewash and add for shrinkage, add a full repeat for patterned fabric so motifs line up, and account for directional prints and nap that force pieces to face one way. A common rule is to add 10 to 20 percent, and more for large repeats or plaids.
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Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate how much fabric I need?
Work out how many pieces fit across your fabric width, divide the number you need by that for the row count, then multiply rows by piece length and divide by 36 for yards. The calculator also tries rotating the pieces to save fabric.
How wide is fabric?
Quilting cotton is about 42 to 44 inches of usable width; home-decor and upholstery fabric is often 54 inches. Enter your actual usable width for an accurate result.
How much extra fabric should I buy?
Add 10 to 20 percent for shrinkage and cutting, and a full pattern repeat for prints that need matching. Directional prints and plaids need more.
Does the calculator account for pattern matching?
No, it assumes plain fabric cut on grain. Add a repeat's worth of length per row for patterns that must line up.
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This calculator gives estimates for planning only; always confirm against your own measurements and species research. Some links are to our buying guides, which contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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