Home Decor Yardage Calculator
Enter your project dimensions below. Optimized for curtains, upholstery, and table linens.
Curtain Yardage — Special Considerations
Curtains are the most common home decor sewing project. Here is what affects yardage beyond basic dimensions:
- Fullness ratio — Curtain fabric should be 2–2.5× the window width. A 48" window needs 96–120" of fabric width before hemming. Our calculator assumes 1 panel per width; for fuller curtains, increase the number of panels.
- Header and hem — Add 6–8" per panel for top hem (header) and 4–6" for bottom hem. Pocket rods need extra for the rod casing (2–3" at the top).
- Pattern repeat matching — Large floral or geometric curtain patterns need extra yardage. Add one full pattern repeat per panel if matching across panels.
- Lining fabric — Curtain lining takes the same yardage as the face fabric. Order matching amounts if lining your curtains.
Use the main fabric yardage calculator for curtains with custom hems and pattern repeats. See our upholstery yardage chart for seating projects.
Upholstery Yardage for Common Furniture
| Furniture Piece | Fabric Width | Yardage | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Armchair (standard) | 54" | 5–6 yd | Includes seat, back, arms |
| Armchair (oversized) | 54" | 6–8 yd | Matching pattern adds +1 yd |
| Loveseat (2-seat) | 54" | 8–10 yd | Includes cushions |
| Sofa (3-seat, standard) | 54" | 10–14 yd | T-cushions need more |
| Sofa (oversized / section) | 54" | 14–18 yd | Always buy full bolt if matching |
| Ottoman (standard) | 54" | 2–3 yd | With or without tufting |
| Dining chair seat | 54" | ½–1 yd | Per chair, slipcover style |
Tablecloth Yardage by Table Size
Tablecloth yardage depends on your table dimensions and desired drop length. Drop = how far the cloth hangs below the table edge.
| Table Size | Drop 6–8" (casual) | Drop 10–12" (formal) | Drop 15" (floor) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 36×54" (small dining) | 1½ yd | 2 yd | 2½ yd |
| 42×60" (medium dining) | 2 yd | 2½ yd | 3 yd |
| 48×72" (large dining) | 2½ yd | 3 yd | 3½ yd |
| 60×84" (extra large) | 3 yd | 3½ yd | 4 yd |
| Round, 60" diameter | 2 yd | 2½ yd | 3 yd |
For 60" wide fabric. If using 45" wide, add ½–1 yard. Use the fabric converter to work in metric if needed.
Bedding Yardage Guide
| Item | Width × Length | Fabric Width | Yardage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Twin flat sheet | 66×96" | 72" (sheeting) | 2¾ yd |
| Full flat sheet | 81×96" | 90" (wide sheeting) | 2¾ yd |
| Queen flat sheet | 90×102" | 90" (wide sheeting) | 3 yd |
| King flat sheet | 108×102" | 108" (extra wide) | 3 yd |
| Duvet cover (twin) | 68×86" | 90" | 4 yd (front + back) |
| Duvet cover (queen) | 88×90" | 90" | 5 yd (front + back) |
| Duvet cover (king) | 106×90" | 108" | 5½ yd (front + back) |
Sheeting fabric is typically sold at wider widths (90–108") specifically for bedding. Check your fabric store's sheeting section before buying standard-width decor fabric.
Frequently Asked Questions
Choosing the Right Fabric for Your Home Decor Yardage Calculator
When you use a yardage calculator for fabric on home decor projects, the fabric type directly affects the result. This home decor yardage estimator works for all fabric weights, but you need to understand how each type changes the output.
Fabric Weight and Durability
- Lightweight (4-6 oz): Sheers, voile, lightweight linens — use 2.5-3× window width for fullness. The yardage calculator for fabric will give different results at this width than medium-weight options.
- Medium weight (7-10 oz): Cotton decor, medium linen — the most common input for a home decor yardage estimator. Typical width 54".
- Heavyweight (11+ oz): Upholstery velvet, outdoor acrylic — 54-60" wide. A yardage calculator for fabric at this weight shows 30-50% more yardage due to layout constraints.
Pattern Repeat and Yardage
Fabric with pattern repeat changes your home decor yardage calculator result significantly. A 24" repeat (common for curtains and upholstery) adds one full repeat per panel. For 3 curtain panels: that is an extra 2 yards. Always run the yardage calculator for fabric first for the solid-fabric baseline, then add the pattern repeat yardage on top.
Railroading — When Fabric Direction Changes Your Yardage Results
Some decor fabrics are railroaded — the pattern runs across rather than down the length. This can halve the yardage a home decor yardage estimator returns for wide curtains. If your fabric is railroaded, run the yardage calculator for fabric with the "width as height" assumption.
Troubleshooting Mistakes in Your Home Decor Yardage Calculator
These are the most common errors people make when using a yardage calculator for fabric on home decor projects:
- Forgot seam allowance: Every cut needs ½" minimum. For 4 curtain panels at 40" drop: 41" × 4 = 164" (not 160"). The home decor yardage estimator cannot guess your seam allowance — enter it manually.
- Pattern direction: Striped curtains need all stripes aligned. A rotated panel breaks the flow. The yardage calculator for fabric assumes one-direction layout — directional prints add 10-15%.
- Shrinkage: Cotton decor shrinks 3-5%. For 10 yards: 5-6" lost after first wash. Add 5% to the home decor yardage result.
- Miscounting seams in lined curtains: Each seam takes ½-⅝". Lined curtains double your seams. The yardage calculator for fabric gives one layer — double the seam allowance for lined projects.
For project-specific calculations, use the pillow fabric calculator, quilt fabric calculator, or cushion fabric calculator.