Fabric Yardage Calculator
Plan fabric purchases for curtains, cushions, upholstery, and more. Enter finished panel size, allowances, and pattern repeat to get accurate yardage.
Cut size per panel
21.0" wide x 33.0" long
Pattern repeats: 0.0
Base yardage
1.83 yd
With waste
Extra 0.18 yd
Total 2.02 yd
How to Use This Calculator
Measure your finished panel
Capture the final width and height for one panel or project piece, then decide how many panels you need.
Add allowances and repeats
Enter seam and hem allowances plus any pattern repeat so cuts line up across panels.
Set the waste allowance
Leave room for mistakes, shrinkage, or directional prints by adding 5 to 15 percent waste.
Review yardage to purchase
Check base yardage and the total yardage with waste to know how much fabric to buy.
Formula
Panel length = (Height + 2 x Hem allowance) adjusted to the next pattern repeat
Panel width = Width + 2 x Seam allowance
Total yardage = Panel length x Panel count / 36
Total with waste = Total yardage x (1 + Waste%)
Example: Finished panel 20 x 30 inches, seam 0.5 inches, hem 1.5 inches, two panels, pattern repeat 6 inches, waste 10%. Panel length adjusts to 36 inches (6 repeats), yardage 2.00, with waste 2.20 yards.
Full Description
Running short on fabric midway through a project can derail your timeline and blow the budget. This calculator helps you plan accurately by incorporating seam allowances, hem depth, pattern repeats, and a waste margin for safety.
Enter measurements in inches and the tool converts total length into yards, so you can order fabric and cut confidently. Adjust the waste percentage based on project complexity or your comfort level.
Whether you are sewing drapery panels, upholstering chairs, or making pillows, you will know exactly how much fabric to purchase before you reach the cutting table.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if my project uses bias-cut pieces?
Bias layouts generate extra waste. Increase the waste percentage to 20 to 30 percent to compensate.
How do I plan for lining fabric?
Run the calculation separately for lining if the measurements differ. Many sewists reduce seam allowances slightly for lining layers.
Can I enter metric measurements?
Convert centimeters to inches by dividing by 2.54 before entering values. Future versions may add direct metric support.
Why include a waste allowance?
Allow for shrinkage, directional prints, or cutting mistakes. A 5 to 15 percent buffer prevents last-minute fabric runs.
How should I round yardage?
Round up to the nearest quarter yard or eighth yard based on your fabric store’s cutting increments.