How do I calculate how much fabric I need?

Enter your fabric width, the size of each piece you need to cut, and how many total pieces you need. The calculator will determine how many pieces fit across your fabric and calculate the minimum length required. Always add a little extra for cutting errors.

Is there an app to calculate fabric?

Yes, there are several fabric calculator apps and online tools available. This calculator works in any web browser and calculates fabric requirements for cutting multiple identical pieces efficiently.

How much does 1 yard of fabric make?

One yard of 45-inch wide fabric contains 1,620 square inches of material. The number of pieces you can cut depends on piece size - for example, you could cut eighteen 6-inch squares or four 10×18-inch rectangles from one yard.

How much will 4 yards of fabric cover?

Four yards of 45-inch wide fabric provides 6,480 square inches or about 45 square feet of material. This could make a large quilt top, multiple garments, or numerous smaller craft pieces depending on your project requirements.

Fabric Calculator

Calculate exactly how much fabric you need to cut multiple identical pieces without waste or guesswork.

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How Fabric Calculator Works

This fabric calculator helps you figure out the minimum fabric length needed when cutting multiple pieces of the same size. It determines how many pieces fit across your fabric width, calculates how many rows you'll need to cut, then multiplies by piece length to get the total fabric requirement.

The calculator works in three steps: first, it divides your fabric width by piece width to see how many pieces fit side-by-side (rounding down to whole pieces). Then it determines how many rows you need by dividing total pieces needed by pieces per row. Finally, it multiplies the number of rows by piece length to get your fabric yardage.

This tool is especially useful for quilting projects, craft patterns, or any sewing project where you need multiple identical rectangles or squares. It helps minimize fabric waste by optimizing the cutting layout and ensures you buy exactly what you need.

Fabric Calculator Formula Breakdown

Formula

Required fabric length = Piece length × (Number of pieces ÷ Pieces that fit across fabric width)

Variables Explained

Fabric widthThe usable width of your fabric from selvage to selvage. Standard quilting cotton is typically 44-45 inches wide, though you should measure your specific fabric as widths can vary. This measurement determines how many pieces you can fit side-by-side.
Piece widthThe width of each individual piece you need to cut, including seam allowances if applicable. This should be the finished size plus any extra fabric needed for hemming or seaming.
Piece lengthThe length of each individual piece you need to cut, including seam allowances. Like piece width, this should include any extra fabric needed for finishing edges.
Number of piecesThe total quantity of identical pieces you need for your project. This could be squares for a quilt, rectangles for a craft project, or any uniform shapes for your sewing pattern.

Example Calculation

Given:

Fabric width: 45 inches
Piece width: 20 inches
Piece length: 30 inches
Number of pieces: 4 pieces

Calculation:

Pieces across fabric: 45 ÷ 20 = 2.25, rounded down to 2 pieces
Rows needed: 4 ÷ 2 = 2 rows
Required fabric length: 30 × 2 = 60.00 inches

Result:

60.00 inches

Explanation

This example shows cutting 4 pieces measuring 20×30 inches each from 45-inch wide fabric. You can fit 2 pieces across the width, so you need 2 rows, requiring 60 inches (1⅔ yards) of fabric total.

Tips for Using Fabric Calculator

💡Always measure your actual fabric width as it can vary from the listed width, especially after pre-washing.
💡Consider adding 2-4 inches extra to your calculated length to account for cutting errors or fabric shrinkage.
💡For directional fabrics or patterns, ensure all pieces are oriented the same way, which may require additional fabric length.

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