Quilt Binding Calculator

Enter Calculation

Quilt Length (inches)

Quilt Width (inches)

Strip Width (inches)

Usable Fabric Width (inches)

Results

Binding Strips Needed

6

strips cut across the fabric width

Total binding length required	226 in
Fabric needed (length down the bolt)	15 in
Fabric needed	0.42 yd

What is the Quilt Binding Calculator?

Binding is the fabric strip that wraps and finishes the raw edges of a quilt. This calculator tells you how many binding strips to cut across the width of your fabric and how much fabric you need to buy. It works for any quilt size and the standard double-fold (French) binding most quilters use.

How to use it

Enter the finished quilt's length and width in inches, the strip width you plan to cut (2.5" is the most common for double-fold binding), and your usable fabric width (about 42" for quilting cotton after trimming the selvages). The calculator returns the number of strips, total binding length, and the fabric yardage required.

The formula explained

The perimeter of a rectangle is \(2 \times (\text{length} + \text{width})\). We add 10 inches of extra binding to fold around the four corners and join the strip ends with diagonal seams. Dividing by the usable fabric width gives how many full-width strips are needed, rounded up because you can't cut a partial strip. Multiplying that strip count by the cut width gives the length of fabric you must buy down the bolt.

$$\begin{gathered} \text{Yardage} = \frac{\left\lceil \dfrac{P}{\text{Fabric Width}} \right\rceil \times \text{Strip Width}}{36} \\[1.5em] \text{where}\quad P = 2\left(\text{Length} + \text{Width}\right) + 10 \end{gathered}$$

Fabric of width F is cut into strips of width S; the calculator counts how many strips you need.

Binding wraps the full perimeter of the quilt: \(2(L+W)\) plus extra for corners and joins.

Worked example

For a 60" × 48" quilt with 2.5" strips on 42" fabric: perimeter = \(2 \times (60 + 48) = 216\), plus 10 = 226 inches. \(226 \div 42 = 5.38\), rounded up to 6 strips. Fabric needed = \(6 \times 2.5 = 15\) inches (about 0.42 yard). Buying half a yard gives a safe margin.

FAQ

Why the extra 10 inches? Corners (mitered folds) and diagonal seams joining the strips consume length; 10 inches is a reliable buffer.

What strip width should I use? 2.25"–2.5" for double-fold binding is standard. Wider strips give a thicker binding.

Does this include the binding for a hanging sleeve or extra trim? No — it covers the perimeter binding only. Add more strips if you want a label sleeve or scrappy joins.