# How much fabric yardage do I need?

Works out how many yards (or meters) of fabric to buy for a number of same-size pieces, from the piece size, the fabric width and an allowance for shrinkage, rounded up to 1/8 yard.

- Page: https://www.acalculator.org/everyday-life/yardage-calculator
- JSON spec: https://www.acalculator.org/everyday-life/yardage-calculator.json
- Version: 49b5fa0a6b6d

## Default answer

Example with the default inputs (Measure in Inches, Number of pieces 4, Piece length 22, Piece width 18, Fabric width 44, Extra for shrinkage 10%): Buy 1 3/8 yd of fabric for 4 pieces.

## Inputs

| Key | Label | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| u | Measure in | Inches (buy by the yard) or centimeters (buy by the meter). |
| n | Number of pieces | How many pieces of this size you will cut. |
| pl | Piece length | The length of one piece, along the fabric (down the bolt), with seam allowances. |
| pw | Piece width | The width of one piece, across the fabric, with seam allowances. |
| fw | Fabric width | The usable width of the fabric from selvage to selvage; 44 in and 54 in are common. |
| x | Extra for shrinkage | Length to add for shrinkage, straightening and mistakes. |

## Outputs

| Key | Label | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| buy | Fabric to buy | The length needed, rounded up to the next 1/8 yard, or 0.1 m for centimeters. |
| yards | Yards needed | The exact length needed, in yards (36 in each). |
| meters | Meters needed | The same length in meters. |
| lengthNeeded | Length needed (in your unit) | Rows × piece length, plus the extra percent, in inches or centimeters. |
| across | Pieces across the width | How many pieces fit side by side: fabric width ÷ piece width, rounded down. |
| rows | Rows | Pieces ÷ pieces across, rounded up. |

## Method

Across = ⌊fabric width ÷ piece width⌋; rows = ⌈pieces ÷ across⌉; length = rows × piece length × (1 + extra ÷ 100); yards = inches ÷ 36, rounded up to 1/8 yard (meters = cm ÷ 100, rounded up to 0.1 m).

## Assumptions

- All pieces are the same rectangle, cut in rows straight across the fabric with no turning and no pattern repeat.
- The piece sizes already include seam allowances; the fabric width is the usable width.
- Fabric is bought in 1/8 yard steps (inches) or 0.1 m steps (centimeters).

## Worked examples

1. u = in, n = 4, pl = 22, pw = 18, fw = 44, x = 10% gives buy = 1 3/8 yd, yards = 1.344444, lengthNeeded = 48.4, across = 2, rows = 2, meters = 1.22936. Source: NIST Handbook 44 (2026), Appendix C, General Tables of Units of Measurement (1 yard = 3 feet = 36 inches; 1 inch = 2.54 centimeters exactly), https://www.nist.gov/document/2026-nist-handbook-44-appendix-c (retrieved 2026-10-02).
2. u = cm, n = 6, pl = 50, pw = 40, fw = 150, x = 0% gives buy = 1 m, meters = 1, yards = 1.093613, across = 3, rows = 2, lengthNeeded = 100. Source: NIST Handbook 44 (2026), Appendix C, General Tables of Units of Measurement (1 yard = 3 feet = 36 inches; 1 inch = 2.54 centimeters exactly), https://www.nist.gov/document/2026-nist-handbook-44-appendix-c (retrieved 2026-10-02).
3. u = in, n = 1, pl = 36, pw = 44, fw = 44, x = 0% gives buy = 1 yd, yards = 1, across = 1, rows = 1. Source: NIST Handbook 44 (2026), Appendix C, General Tables of Units of Measurement (1 yard = 3 feet = 36 inches; 1 inch = 2.54 centimeters exactly), https://www.nist.gov/document/2026-nist-handbook-44-appendix-c (retrieved 2026-10-02).
4. u = in, n = 10, pl = 10.5, pw = 15, fw = 54, x = 5% gives buy = 1 1/4 yd, yards = 1.225, lengthNeeded = 44.1, across = 3, rows = 4. Source: NIST Handbook 44 (2026), Appendix C, General Tables of Units of Measurement (1 yard = 3 feet = 36 inches; 1 inch = 2.54 centimeters exactly), https://www.nist.gov/document/2026-nist-handbook-44-appendix-c (retrieved 2026-10-02).

## FAQ

### How do I calculate fabric yardage?

Find how many pieces fit across the fabric (fabric width ÷ piece width, rounded down), how many rows that takes (pieces ÷ pieces across, rounded up), and multiply the rows by the piece length. Add an allowance, then divide inches by 36 to get yards.

### How much fabric do I need for 4 pieces 18 in by 22 in?

On 44 in fabric, 2 pieces fit across (44 ÷ 18 = 2.4), so 2 rows of 22 in: 44 in. With 10% extra that is 48.4 in, or 1.344 yards. Buy 1 3/8 yards.

### How many inches are in a yard?

36 inches (3 feet). A yard is also exactly 0.9144 meters, because an inch is exactly 2.54 cm (NIST Handbook 44).

### What fabric widths are common?

Quilting cotton is often 44 to 45 in wide (about 42 in usable), apparel and home decor fabrics 54 in or 60 in. Use the usable width between the selvages.

### Why add extra for shrinkage?

Many fabrics shrink when first washed, and the cut end is rarely straight. Adding about 10% to the length covers both; add more for fabric that shrinks a lot.

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

Fabric stores usually cut in 1/8 yard steps (4.5 in). Rounding up makes sure the piece you buy is long enough. In centimeters the page rounds up to 0.1 m (10 cm).

### What if my pieces have different sizes or a pattern repeat?

Work out each size on its own and add the lengths, or lay out a sketch. This page assumes same-size rectangles in plain rows, without turning pieces and without matching a print.

## Sources

- NIST Handbook 44 (2026), Appendix C, General Tables of Units of Measurement (1 yard = 3 feet = 36 inches; 1 inch = 2.54 centimeters exactly, so 1 yard = 0.9144 meter). https://www.nist.gov/document/2026-nist-handbook-44-appendix-c (retrieved 2026-10-02)