Quilt Backing and Binding Calculator
Quilt backing, binding and border yardage from your quilt top size.
Quilt top size
Used as the default size for the backing and border sections below.
Backing
Binding
Borders
How backing yardage is figured
Backing needs to be larger than the quilt top on every side, typically by 4" of overhang per side for hand or long-arm quilting. That gives a backing size of (top width + 2 × overhang) by (top height + 2 × overhang). If that size is wider than your fabric bolt, it has to be pieced from multiple panels — this tool checks both a horizontal-seam layout (panels run side to side) and a vertical-seam layout (panels stacked top to bottom) and picks whichever uses less fabric.
Worked example: a 60" × 80" quilt top with a 4" overhang needs a 68" × 88" backing. On 42" fabric, running seams horizontally needs 2 panels of 88" each (176" = 4⅞ yd), while vertical seams need 3 panels of 68" (204" = 5⅔ yd) — so horizontal seams win and the tool reports about 5 yards after rounding up to the nearest ⅛ yard. On 108" wide backing fabric, one panel is enough and only about 2⅞ yards are needed.
How binding yardage is figured
Binding length = the quilt's perimeter (2 × (width + height)) plus about 10" of slack for mitered corners and the diagonal seam that joins strip ends. Divide that by your usable fabric width to get the number of cross-grain strips, then multiply strip count by strip width and convert inches to yards (÷36).
Worked example: a 60" × 80" finished quilt has a 280" perimeter, plus 10" = 290". At 42" fabric width that's 7 strips (290 ÷ 42 = 6.9, rounded up). Seven strips at 2.5" wide = 17.5", which is about ½ yard.
How border yardage is figured
Each border ring is cut as strips long enough to wrap the quilt's current perimeter (plus extra for corners and trimming), then the quilt grows by twice the border width once that ring is sewn on — so the next border needs longer strips. This tool loops through each border ring, growing the quilt size and re-totaling strips for each one, then sums the yardage and rounds up to the nearest ⅛ yard so you don't come up short at the cutting table.
Quilt Backing and Binding Calculator: frequently asked questions
How much backing fabric do I need for a quilt?
Add your overhang (usually 4") to each side of the quilt top, then figure out how many fabric-width panels are needed to cover that size. This tool compares piecing the panels horizontally vs. vertically and picks whichever uses less fabric.
How do you calculate quilt binding yardage?
Add up the quilt perimeter plus about 10" for corners and the diagonal join, divide by your fabric width to get the number of strips, then multiply the strip count by your strip width (usually 2.5") and convert to yards.
What width should binding strips be cut?
Most quilters cut binding strips 2.25" to 2.5" wide for a standard double-fold binding. Wider strips (2.5") give a fuller look and are easier for beginners to handle.
How much extra fabric should I buy for backing?
Yardage is rounded up to the nearest 1/8 yard, but it is still wise to buy an extra 1/4 to 1/2 yard to allow for squaring up fabric, shrinkage from prewashing, and pattern matching.
How do I calculate border fabric?
Multiply the number of border strips needed (based on the side length divided by your usable fabric width) by the border width to get total inches, then convert to yards and round up to the nearest 1/8 yard.