# How much quilt binding do I need?

Works out the length of binding a quilt needs, how many strips to cut across the fabric width, and how much fabric to buy, rounded up to the next 1/8 yard.

- Page: https://www.acalculator.org/everyday-life/quilt-binding-calculator
- JSON spec: https://www.acalculator.org/everyday-life/quilt-binding-calculator.json
- Version: 3892e50c25c3

## Default answer

Example with the default inputs (Quilt width 60 in, Quilt length 80 in, Strip width 2.5 in, Fabric width 42 in, Extra length 10 in): A 60 in × 80 in quilt needs 290 in of binding: cut 7 strips and buy 1/2 yd (0.5 m).

## Inputs

| Key | Label | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| w | Quilt width | The finished width of the quilt. |
| l | Quilt length | The finished length of the quilt. |
| sw | Strip width | How wide you cut each binding strip; 2 1/2 in is common for double-fold binding. |
| fw | Fabric width | The usable width of the fabric the strips are cut across, about 42 in for quilting cotton. |
| x | Extra length | Added to the perimeter for joining the strips, the corners and the ends; 10 in is common. |

## Outputs

| Key | Label | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| buy | Binding fabric to buy | Strips × strip width, rounded up to the next 1/8 yard, and to the next 0.1 meter. |
| strips | Strips to cut | Binding length ÷ fabric width, rounded up. |
| binding | Binding length | 2 × (width + length) + the extra length. |
| perimeter | Quilt perimeter | 2 × (width + length). |
| fabricLength | Fabric length | Strips × strip width, before rounding. |
| yards | Yards to buy | Rounded up to the next 1/8 yard. |

## Method

Binding = 2 × (width + length) + extra; strips = ⌈binding ÷ fabric width⌉; fabric = strips × strip width, rounded up to 1/8 yd.

## Assumptions

- Strips are cut straight across the fabric width (not on the bias) and joined end to end.
- The extra length covers the joins, the corners and the two ends.
- The length is rounded up to the next 1/8 yard (or 0.1 m), as fabric is usually cut.

## Worked examples

1. w = 1.524, l = 2.032, sw = 0.0635, fw = 1.0668, x = 0.254 gives binding = 7.366, strips = 7, fabricLength = 0.4445, yards = 0.5, buy = 1/2 yd (0.5 m). Source: NIST Handbook 44 (2026), Appendix C, General Tables of Units of Measurement (1 yard = 36 inches; 1 inch = 2.54 centimeters exactly), https://www.nist.gov/document/2026-nist-handbook-44-appendix-c (retrieved 2026-10-03).
2. w = 2.286, l = 2.7432, sw = 0.05715, fw = 1.016, x = 0.3048 gives binding = 10.3632, strips = 11, fabricLength = 0.62865, yards = 0.75, buy = 3/4 yd (0.7 m). Source: NIST Handbook 44 (2026), Appendix C, General Tables of Units of Measurement (1 yard = 36 inches; 1 inch = 2.54 centimeters exactly), https://www.nist.gov/document/2026-nist-handbook-44-appendix-c (retrieved 2026-10-03).
3. w = 1, l = 1.2, sw = 0.065, fw = 1.1, x = 0.25 gives strips = 5, buy = 3/8 yd (0.4 m). Source: NIST Handbook 44 (2026), Appendix C, General Tables of Units of Measurement (1 yard = 36 inches; 1 inch = 2.54 centimeters exactly), https://www.nist.gov/document/2026-nist-handbook-44-appendix-c (retrieved 2026-10-03).

## FAQ

### How do I work out how much binding I need?

Add the four sides of the quilt, 2 × (width + length), and about 10 in for joining the strips and turning the corners. Divide by the usable fabric width and round up to get the number of strips, then multiply by the strip width.

### How much binding for a 60 × 80 in quilt?

The perimeter is 280 in; with 10 in extra, 290 in. At 42 in usable width that is 7 strips. Cut 2 1/2 in wide, they need 17.5 in of fabric, so buy 1/2 yard.

### How wide should I cut binding strips?

2 1/2 in is the most common width for double-fold binding on a quilt with ordinary batting; 2 1/4 in gives a narrower binding. Thick batting may need wider strips.

### Why add extra length?

Joining strips with diagonal seams uses some of each strip, the corners need a little more, and you need tails at the ends to join the binding. About 10 in covers this for most quilts.

### Does bias binding need more fabric?

Yes. This calculator is for strips cut straight across the fabric width. Bias strips are cut at 45° and come out of a square of fabric, which needs a different calculation.

### Why round up to 1/8 yard?

Shops usually cut fabric in 1/8 yard steps (or 10 cm steps), so the calculator rounds the fabric length up to the next step that covers all the strips.

## Sources

- NIST Handbook 44 (2026), Appendix C, General Tables of Units of Measurement (1 yard = 36 inches; 1 inch = 2.54 centimeters exactly). https://www.nist.gov/document/2026-nist-handbook-44-appendix-c (retrieved 2026-10-03)