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Lining Fabric Calculator — How Much Lining Do I Need?
Calculate lining fabric requirements based on your outer fabric amount and garment type.
Adds a buffer for cutting errors and shrinkage (default 10%; adjust in Advanced Options)
How We Calculate This
Lining requirements are estimated as a proportion of the outer fabric, adjusted for the width difference between outer and lining fabrics.
The formula
Lining = Outer metres × Ratio × (Outer width ÷ Lining width)
- Jacket/Blazer: 85% of outer
- Coat: 90% of outer
- Dress: 80% of outer
- Skirt: 75% of outer
- Trousers: 70% of outer
- Bag: 100% of outer
The ratios above are heuristic estimates — lining omits facings, collars, cuffs and external details, so it uses roughly 70–90% of the outer fabric (SewGuide dressmaking yardage guidance). The width factor is the standard yardage-width conversion: narrower fabric needs proportionally more length (new metres = original metres × original width ÷ new width — Sew4Home / Historical Sewing fabric conversion charts). Always confirm against your pattern envelope, which gives lining yardage for a specific bolt width.
Frequently Asked Questions
Usually not. Lining does not include facings, collars, cuffs or external details, so you typically need 70–90% of the outer fabric amount, depending on the garment type. Jackets and coats need proportionally more lining; skirts need less.
Lining fabrics in the UK typically come in 137cm (54″) or 150cm (60″) widths. Polyester lining is usually 150cm; acetate and cupro linings may be narrower at 137cm.
Polyester lining is the most affordable and easy-care. Acetate is smoother and more breathable. Bemberg (cupro) rayon is premium — it breathes like cotton, drapes beautifully, and is antistatic. Cotton lawn or voile can line cotton garments.
If you pre-wash your outer fabric, pre-wash the lining too. This ensures both fabrics shrink before construction rather than pulling against each other when the finished garment is washed.
Related Calculators
Fabric Yardage Calculator
Calculate how much fabric you need based on project dimensions and fabric width.
Bias Binding Calculator
Calculate fabric needed to make continuous bias binding strips.
Bias Tape Calculator
Calculate the fabric square size needed to make bias tape and see how much tape a given square will yield.
Fabric Width Converter
Convert fabric requirements between different bolt widths.
Fabric Shrinkage Calculator
Calculate how much extra fabric to buy to account for pre-wash shrinkage.
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Last updated: February 2026
All calculations are estimates. Always verify quantities before cutting or purchasing fabric.