Fabric Yardage Calculator
Free fabric yardage calculator. Enter your piece size, quantity, seam allowance and bolt width to see how many yards (and meters) of fabric to buy, with a cutting layout.
How the calculator works
The calculator adds your seam allowance to every side of each piece, then works out how many pieces fit across the usable width of the fabric (the bolt width minus about an inch for selvedges). It tries the pieces both ways round and picks the layout that uses the least length, then rounds up to the nearest ⅛ yard — the smallest cut most fabric stores will make.
Tips for buying fabric
- Directional prints and plaids need extra for matching — add 10–15%.
- Buy everything for a project from the same bolt; dye lots vary.
- Add shrinkage if you'll prewash natural fibers.
- Pattern pieces that are cut "on the fold" count as one piece twice as wide.
Common yardages
| Project | Typical fabric |
|---|---|
| 18" pillow cover (envelope back) | ⅝ yd of 44" fabric |
| Simple tote bag | ¾ yd outer + ¾ yd lining |
| Set of 4 napkins (18") | 1 ¼ yd of 44" fabric |
| Apron | 1 yd |
| Throw quilt backing (50" × 65") | 3 ¾ yd of 44" or 1 ⅞ yd of 108" |
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