Free fabric calculator to determine how much fabric you need. Calculate yardage for curtains, quilts, upholstery, tablecloths, and general sewing projects with pattern repeat adjustments.
Enter the dimensions of your cut pieces
Common Fabric Widths
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Planning a sewing project and wondering how much fabric to buy? Our free fabric calculator helps you determine exactly how many yards or meters of fabric you need. Whether you're making curtains, quilts, tablecloths, or custom clothing, simply enter your project dimensions and fabric width to get accurate yardage calculations.
A fabric calculator estimates the amount of fabric needed for a sewing project based on the dimensions of your cut pieces, the fabric width, and allowances for seams, pattern matching, and waste. It accounts for how efficiently pieces can be cut from the fabric bolt and helps prevent buying too little or too much fabric.
Fabric Yardage Formula
Yards = (Cut Length × Rows Needed) ÷ 36 × (1 + Waste %)Calculate fabric for curtains, quilts, tablecloths, upholstery, or general sewing with project-specific formulas.
Account for patterned fabrics that require additional yardage for pattern matching at seams.
Choose from common fabric widths including 36", 45", 54", 60", and 72" bolts.
Built-in waste percentage ensures you have enough fabric for mistakes and adjustments.
Calculate fabric for DIY clothing, home decor, and craft projects.
Determine yardage needed for quilt blocks, sashing, and borders.
Estimate fabric for curtains, upholstery, and tablecloths.
Plan material purchases for garment construction projects.
We recommend a 10% waste allowance as a starting point. For beginners or complex projects, consider 15-20%. For expensive fabric, you might reduce to 5% but cut more carefully. The calculator includes waste allowance in the final calculation.
Pattern repeat is the distance before a fabric's design repeats vertically. When making curtains, upholstery, or any project where pieces are joined, you need extra fabric to match patterns at seams. Larger repeats require more extra fabric—a 24" repeat might add 20% or more to your requirements.
Common widths include: 36" for quilting cottons, 45" for standard dress fabrics, 54" for home décor and upholstery, 60" for apparel knits and fleece, and 72" for felt and batting. Check your fabric bolt before purchasing—the width significantly affects yardage needed.
Yes! Most natural fibers shrink when washed—cotton can shrink 3-5% or more. Prewash and dry fabric using the same method you'll use for the finished project. Our calculator doesn't add shrinkage allowance, so buy extra if you plan to prewash.
Fabrics with a directional print or nap (like velvet or corduroy) must be cut with all pieces going the same direction. This typically requires 15-25% more fabric. For critical projects, increase your waste allowance or manually add extra yardage.