Quilt Batting Size Calculator
Find the exact batting dimensions needed for your quilt, accounting for quilting overhang and binding width. Use this before purchasing batting to avoid seams or short edges.
Last updated: September 2026
Formula below · 1 source (Wikipedia) · Updated Sep 2026
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About this calculator
Quilt batting must extend beyond the finished quilt top on all sides to allow for quilting draw-up and a clean binding edge. The formula is: Batting Area (sq yd) = ((quiltTopLength + 2×quiltingMethod + 2×bindingWidth) × (quiltTopWidth + 2×quiltingMethod + 2×bindingWidth)) / 1296. The quiltingMethod value represents the overhang added per side for the chosen technique — the options use 2 inches per side for hand quilting, 4 inches for domestic machine quilting and 6 inches for longarm quilting. The bindingWidth adds the small margin needed for the binding to wrap cleanly to the back. Dividing by 1296 converts square inches to square yards for purchasing. This ensures the batting is never cut too small before quilting is complete.
How to use
Say your quilt top measures 60 × 80 inches, you are machine quilting (4 inches per side), and your binding width is 0.5 inches. Step 1 — adjusted length: 80 + (2 × 4) + (2 × 0.5) = 89 inches. Step 2 — adjusted width: 60 + (2 × 4) + (2 × 0.5) = 69 inches. Step 3 — area: 89 × 69 = 6,141 sq in. Step 4 — convert to square yards: 6,141 / 1,296 ≈ 4.74 sq yd. Then pick a batting at least 69 × 89 inches, such as a full/double (81 × 96).
Frequently asked questions
How much bigger should quilt batting be than the quilt top?
A common rule of thumb is to cut batting 4–8 inches larger than the quilt top in both directions — that's 2–4 extra inches on each side. Machine quilters typically use 2 inches per side, while hand quilters prefer 3–4 inches to accommodate a hoop. This calculator adds that overhang precisely based on your method. It's always better to have slightly too much batting than to find an edge pulling away mid-quilt.
What is the difference between quilting method overhang and binding width in batting calculations?
Quilting method overhang accounts for how much the fabric and batting shift or draw up during the actual quilting process. Dense quilting compresses fabric more, so it needs a larger margin. Binding width, by contrast, is the narrow strip that folds over the raw edge of the finished quilt — usually 0.25–0.5 inches of extra batting is needed so the binding has something to grip. Both measurements are added independently because they serve distinct structural purposes.
What standard batting sizes are available and which one should I buy for my quilt?
Common prepackaged batting sizes include crib (45×60 in), throw (60×60 in), twin (72×90 in), full/double (81×96 in), queen (90×108 in), and king (120×120 in). Once this calculator gives you the required dimensions, simply choose the next size up. If your calculated batting is 88×105 inches, a queen (90×108) works perfectly. Buying prepackaged batting is often more economical than purchasing off-the-bolt, provided the standard size fits your calculated requirements.