How do I measure for fabric yardage?

Measure the finished length and width of each piece you need — the size after sewing, in centimetres. Do not add seam allowance yourself: the calculator adds it for you (1.5cm/⅝″ by default, editable under Advanced Options) to every edge, so your cut piece is finished size plus seam allowance on each side. Enter the number of pieces and your fabric bolt width, and it works out how many pieces fit across the width and how many rows you need down the length.

What fabric width should I choose?

UK fabric shops typically stock 112cm (44″) for quilting cotton, 137cm (54″) or 150cm (60″) for dressmaking fabrics, and wider widths for furnishing fabrics. Check the bolt width before buying — it is printed on the fabric label or bolt end.

Why do I need extra for wastage?

Wastage accounts for straightening the fabric ends (which are rarely cut perfectly square on the bolt), pattern matching, slight variations in piece layout, and small mistakes. 10% is standard; increase to 15% for directional prints or napped fabrics.

How do I convert between metres and yards?

One metre equals approximately 1.094 yards, or roughly 39.37 inches. To convert metres to yards, multiply by 1.094. To convert yards to metres, multiply by 0.914. UK fabric shops sell by the metre.

SewCalcs

Fabric Yardage Calculator — How Much Fabric Do I Need?

Calculate fabric requirements based on your project dimensions, number of pieces, and fabric bolt width.

Piece Length

Finished length of each piece — seam allowance is added for you

Piece Width

Finished width of each piece — seam allowance is added for you

Number of Pieces

Total pieces to cut

Fabric Bolt WidthCheck the bolt label for width

Include wastage allowance

Adds 10% extra for trimming and straightening

Wastage Percentage

10% standard, 15% for directional fabrics

Price Per Metre (optional)

Enter your fabric price per metre for a cost estimate

How We Calculate This

This calculator determines how many of your pieces fit across the fabric width, then calculates how many rows you need along the length. First it turns each finished piece into a cut rectangle by adding the seam allowance to every edge (cut size = finished size + 2 × seam allowance), then it lays those rectangles out:

The formula

Pieces across width = floor(Fabric width ÷ Cut piece width)

Rows needed = ceil(Total pieces ÷ Pieces across)

Fabric length = (Rows × Cut piece length) × (1 + Wastage%)

The result is rounded up to the nearest 10cm, since fabric shops typically cut to the nearest 10cm. This gives you the minimum meterage to purchase from the bolt.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated: February 2026

All calculations are estimates. Always verify quantities before cutting or purchasing fabric.