Fabric Yardage Calculator
Determine exactly how many yards of fabric to buy for any sewing project. Enter your pattern dimensions, fabric width, and number of pieces to avoid under-buying or costly waste.
About this calculator
Fabric yardage depends on how many times your pattern width fits across the bolt width and how many identical pieces you need to cut. The formula is: Total Fabric = (patternLength × ⌈patternWidth / fabricWidth⌉ + extraAllowance) × patternPieces. The ceiling function (⌈⌉) ensures you always round up to a full strip when the pattern doesn't divide evenly across the bolt. The extraAllowance accounts for shrinkage, pattern matching, and cutting errors — typically 5–15% of the base requirement. Multiplying by patternPieces gives the grand total for all identical cuts. Always buy slightly more than the calculated minimum, since fabric lots can vary between dye batches.
How to use
Suppose you need a pattern piece 1.5 yards long and 20 inches wide, cut from a 45-inch-wide bolt, with 3 identical pieces and a 10% extra allowance. Step 1 — strips needed across width: ⌈20 / 45⌉ = 1. Step 2 — base yardage per piece: 1.5 × 1 = 1.5 yards. Step 3 — add 10% allowance: 1.5 + 0.10 = 1.60 yards per piece group. Step 4 — multiply by 3 pieces: 1.60 × 3 = 4.8 yards total. You should purchase at least 5 yards to be safe.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate fabric yardage for a pattern with multiple differently sized pieces?
Run the calculator separately for each unique piece size, then sum the results. Most patterns list each piece's cut dimensions; enter them one at a time and record the yardage for each. Adding them together gives the total yardage before you head to the fabric store. Always add a small buffer of 5–10% on top of that combined total for unforeseen errors.
Why does fabric width affect how much yardage I need to buy?
Fabric is sold in continuous length along the bolt, but its width is fixed — commonly 44/45 inches or 58/60 inches. If your pattern piece is wider than half the bolt width, you may need two lengths of fabric laid side by side rather than one, effectively doubling your yardage requirement. Wider fabric often means less yardage needed overall, which is why checking bolt width before calculating is essential. This calculator's ceiling function automatically handles that math for you.
What extra allowance percentage should I use for fabric that shrinks or needs pattern matching?
For pre-washed cotton or non-directional prints, a 5–10% allowance is usually sufficient. For fabrics that shrink noticeably before washing (like linen or unwashed denim), use 10–15%. Directional prints, plaids, or stripes that must be matched at seams can require 15–25% extra, depending on the repeat length. When in doubt, round up generously — returning unused fabric is easier than running short mid-project.