Binding & Backing Calculator for Quilters | Quick Fabric Estimates
Use our easy calculator below to get an instant estimate
for binding and backing for your next project.
It’s straight-grain (normal) binding only
Binding assumes 42" usable WOF
Backing can be 108" wide or pieced from 42" WOF, with with 4" overhang each side
Just enter your quilt size, choose your binding strip width, and click
Enter Your Quilt Measurements
Quilt Dimensions
Binding
Backing
How this calculator works
How this calculator works
This tool helps you work out how much fabric you’ll need for both
binding and backing, based on your quilt’s width and height.
It uses normal (straight-grain) binding only – the strips are cut across the width of fabric.
Binding
Calculates the total binding length (your quilt’s perimeter plus extra for joins and corners).
Assumes a 42" usable width of fabric for binding strips.
Lets you choose 2.25" or 2.5" wide binding strips.
Shows how much fabric to buy, rounded to the nearest ⅛ yard (and in metres too).
Backing
In the backing section, you can choose how you want to make your backing:
108" wide backing – for when you’re buying a single wide-back
Pieced backing from 42" WOF – for when you’re making your own backing from regular quilting cotton
For both options, the calculator:
Adds 4" overhang on each side for loading and trimming
Works out how much backing length you’ll need
Shows the total in inches, yards and metres
If you choose 42" WOF pieced backing, the calculator also tells you:
How many widths of fabric you’ll need
The length to cut each piece
A simple step-by-step on how to sew those pieces together to make your full backing
Estimates are for planning purposes only and may vary based on your final quilting and trimming.
Add a little extra if you like a safety margin.
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