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YardageLab

Fabric Yardage Calculator

Calculate how much fabric to buy for any number of same-size pieces, laid out to waste as little as possible.

Units
in
in
pcs
Fabric width (usable)
in

Added to all four edges of every piece. Set 0 for finished-size cuts.

Fabric to buy

1.5yd

2 per row × 2 rows

Exact math

1.28 yd

Buy (rounded up)

1.5 yd

Pieces / row
2
Rows
2
Total length
46 in
4 pieces, 2 per row × 2 rows
Assumptions used
Usable fabric width
42 in
Seam allowance per edge
0.5 in
Pieces per fabric width
2
Layout
pieces as entered
Purchase rounded up to
0.25 yd

Methodology

How the yardage calculation works

When you need several pieces of the same size, the trick is fitting as many as possible across the fabric’s width before starting a new row:

  • Pieces per row = fabric width ÷ piece width (rounded down)
  • Rows = total pieces ÷ pieces per row (rounded up)
  • Fabric length = rows × piece length

We add your seam allowance to every edge, then test the pieces both as-entered and rotated 90°, keeping the layout that uses the least fabric — unless the fabric is directional and can’t be turned. The result is converted to yards and rounded up to the next quarter yard.

See it in numbers

Worked example

4 pieces of 18″ × 22″ on 42″ fabric (no seam allowance):

  • 42″ ÷ 18″ = 2 pieces per row
  • 4 ÷ 2 = 2 rows
  • 2 × 22″ = 44″ → 1.22 yd → buy 1.25 yd

Reference

Typical fabric widths

Fabric typeUsable width
Quilting cotton42–44 in
Apparel cotton / linen54–58 in
Home decor54 in
Wide backing108 in

“Usable width” is the fabric between the selvedges, minus any unusable printed edge — always a little less than the bolt’s stated width.

Frequently asked questions

Should I include seam allowance?
If you entered finished sizes, yes — set a seam allowance per edge (often ¼–⅝″). If your piece sizes already include seam allowance, set it to 0.
Why did rotating the pieces change the amount?
Turning pieces 90° can pack more per row and waste less length. We automatically pick the cheaper layout unless you mark the fabric as directional.
What if a piece is wider than the fabric?
Then it can’t be cut in one piece — you’ll see a warning. Choose a wider fabric or plan to piece it together.

Transparency

Sources & assumptions

  • Simple grid layout; pieces are not nested or tilted to save fabric.
  • Seam allowance is added to all four edges of every piece.
  • Directional fabric disables the rotated layout.
  • Purchase yardage rounds up to the next ¼ yard.

Keep planning

Related calculators

Fabric Unit ConverterConvert between inches, feet, yards, millimeters, centimeters and meters for fabric and cutting.Quilt Backing CalculatorWork out how much backing fabric to buy, how many panels to cut and which way the seam should run.Curtain Fabric CalculatorCalculate curtain fabric including fullness, header, hem and pattern repeat for a pair of panels.

Last reviewed August 23, 2026

Found an error? Tell us — every formula is human-reviewed.