Quick Fabric Yardage Calculator
Enter your project dimensions for an instant yardage estimate.
Curtain Panel
84" × 54", pair
84" × 54", pair
Dress, Short Sleeve
45" × 45", front+back
45" × 45", front+back
Twin Quilt Top
68" × 86", 90" wide
68" × 86", 90" wide
18x18" Pillow
Front + back pieces
Front + back pieces
Tablecloth 42x78"
32" × 68" finished
32" × 68" finished
Sofa Cushion
84" × 48", per cushion
84" × 48", per cushion
Quick-Reference Yardage Tables
Standard yardage estimates for common projects. These assume ½" seam allowance and no pattern matching. Always buy 10% extra for waste and miscuts.
Garments (45" fabric)
| Item | Small–Medium | Large–X-Large |
|---|---|---|
| T-shirt, short sleeve | 1½ yd | 2 yd |
| Blouse, long sleeve | 2 yd | 2½ yd |
| Skirt, straight knee-length | 1½ yd | 2 yd |
| Pants, straight leg | 2¾ yd | 3¼ yd |
| Simple dress, knee-length | 2½ yd | 3 yd |
| Full-length gown | 4 yd | 5 yd |
| Jacket, lined | 3 yd | 3½ yd |
| Coat, mid-length | 3½ yd | 4 yd |
Detailed garment yardage → clothing yardage calculator
Home Decor (54" fabric, one item)
| Item | Dimensions | Yardage |
|---|---|---|
| Curtain panel, floor-length | 48" × 84" window | 2½ yd per panel |
| Curtain panel, tall | 72" × 96" window | 3 yd per panel |
| Throw pillow 18×18" | Front + back | ½ yd |
| Euro pillow 20×20" | Front + back | ⅔ yd |
| Tablecloth, medium dining | 42" × 60" table | 2 yd |
| Tablecloth, large dining | 48" × 72" table | 2½ yd |
Home decor specifics → home decor yardage estimator | pillow calculator
Upholstery (54" fabric)
| Furniture | Yardage | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dining chair seat | ½–1 yd | Per chair, slipcover style |
| Armchair (standard) | 5–6 yd | Includes seat + back + arms |
| Loveseat (2-seat) | 8–10 yd | Includes cushions |
| Sofa (3-seat) | 10–14 yd | More for T-cushions |
| Ottoman (standard) | 2–3 yd | With or without tufting |
| Sectional (L-shape) | 14–20 yd | Pattern match adds 2+ yd |
Full upholstery guide → upholstery yardage chart
Quilts (42" quilting cotton)
| Quilt Size | Top Only | With Backing |
|---|---|---|
| Crib (36×54") | 2 yd | 3 yd |
| Twin (68×86") | 4½ yd | 7 yd |
| Full (80×90") | 5½ yd | 8 yd |
| Queen (90×96") | 6½ yd | 9 yd |
| King (108×96") | 7½ yd | 11 yd |
Quilt specifics → quilt fabric calculator
How Fabric Width Affects Yardage
The same project needs different yardage depending on fabric width. Wider fabric means fewer rows and less total yardage:
| Width | Yardage for 48×84" Curtain (pair) | Savings vs 45" |
|---|---|---|
| 36" (quilting cotton) | ~7 yd | — |
| 45" (standard apparel) | ~6 yd | ~15% less |
| 54" (home decor) | ~5 yd | ~28% less |
| 60" (upholstery) | ~4½ yd | ~35% less |
| 108" (wide drapery) | ~2¾ yd | ~60% less |
Use the width converter to compare metric and imperial widths.
Factors That Change Your Yardage
Always buy more than the minimum. You cannot match a dye lot later, and an extra ½ yard is better than being short.
- Pattern matching (+½–1 yd) — Plaids, stripes, and large prints need extra fabric to align patterns at seams. Each pattern repeat adds up.
- Shrinkage (+5–10%) — Natural fibers (cotton, linen, wool) can shrink 3–5%. Pre-wash and add waste % accordingly.
- Nap direction (+¼–½ yd) — Velvet, corduroy, fleece require all pieces cut in the same direction, wasting usable width.
- Cutting mistakes (+10–15% for beginners) — Inexact cutting, grainline errors, and do-overs happen. Beginners should always add extra.
- Print placement (+¼–½ yd) — Large motifs (medallions, borders) need centering on each piece, which wastes fabric.
From Here: Pick Your Project Type
Frequently Asked Questions
How much fabric do I need for a simple dress?
A knee-length simple dress (size M) needs about 2–2½ yards of 45" fabric or 1½–2 yards of 60" fabric. A floor-length dress needs 3–5 yards depending on fullness. Use the calculator above or the detailed clothing yardage guide for exact numbers.
How much fabric for a queen-size quilt?
A queen quilt top (90×96") needs about 6½ yards of 42" quilting cotton if pieced, or 6 yards of 90" wide backing fabric. Binding needs ½–¾ yard. See the quilt calculator for fabric requirements with specific block patterns.
How much fabric for re-upholstering a sofa?
A standard 3-seat sofa needs 10–14 yards of 54" upholstery fabric. Patterned fabrics need 1–2 yards extra for matching. Always ask the upholsterer for their exact estimate before buying. See the upholstery chart for all furniture types.
How do I convert pattern envelope yardage to my fabric width?
Use the calculator at the top of this page. Enter the dimensions of your largest pattern pieces and your actual fabric width. Compare to the pattern table — if the calculator says more, buy the larger amount. See how to read pattern envelopes for detailed instructions.
For project-specific yardage, try the upholstery yardage calculator, curtain yardage calculator, or clothing yardage calculator.