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YardageLab

Quilt Binding Calculator

Find the binding length, number of strips and fabric you need to bind the edge of your quilt.

Units
in
in
Binding strip width (cut)
Fabric width (usable)
in

Extra length for mitred corners, diagonal joins and the closing overlap (10–15″ typical).

Binding fabric to buy

0.5yd

7 strips cut across the fabric width

Exact math

0.486 yd

Buy (rounded up)

0.5 yd

Perimeter
280 in
Binding needed
290 in
Strips
7
Assumptions used
Perimeter
280 in
Corner + join + overlap allowance
10 in
Binding strip cut width
2.5 in
Usable fabric width
42 in
Strips cut across the fabric (WOF)
7
Purchase rounded up to
0.125 yd

Methodology

How the binding calculation works

Binding wraps the entire edge of your quilt, so first we find the perimeter:

  • Perimeter = 2 × (width + length)
  • Binding needed = perimeter + a corner, join and overlap allowance

Binding is made from strips cut across the width of the fabric (WOF) and joined end to end. We divide the binding length by your usable fabric width to get the number of strips, then multiply by the strip’s cut width to find how much fabric length that consumes. Finally we convert to yards and round up to the next eighth of a yard.

See it in numbers

Worked example

A 60″ × 80″ quilt, 2½″ strips, 42″ fabric, 10″ allowance:

  • Perimeter = 2 × (60 + 80) = 280″; + 10″ = 290″ of binding
  • 290″ ÷ 42″ = 6.9 → 7 strips
  • 7 × 2.5″ = 17.5″ of fabric → 0.49 yd → buy 0.5 yd

Reference

Binding strip widths

Cut widthStyleFinished look
2¼ inDouble-foldNarrow, crisp edge
2½ inDouble-foldMost popular, easy to sew
2¾ inDouble-foldFuller edge, hides thicker batting

Cutting on the straight grain (WOF) is assumed here. Bias binding for curved edges uses more fabric and is calculated differently.

Frequently asked questions

How much overlap allowance should I use?
Around 10–15″ covers mitred corners, the diagonal joins between strips and the closing overlap where the binding meets itself. Larger quilts sit at the higher end.
Is this straight-grain or bias binding?
This calculates straight-grain (cross-grain) binding, which suits quilts with straight edges. Rounded corners or scalloped edges need bias binding and more fabric.
Why round to an eighth of a yard?
Binding uses little fabric, so an eighth-yard increment avoids over-buying while still guaranteeing enough for every strip.

Transparency

Sources & assumptions

  • Straight-grain (WOF) binding; strips cut across the usable fabric width.
  • Strip count rounds up so the total strip length always covers the perimeter plus allowance.
  • Purchase yardage rounds up to the next ⅛ yard.
  • Bias binding and very thick battings may need more — treat this as a planning estimate.

Keep planning

Related calculators

Quilt Backing CalculatorWork out how much backing fabric to buy, how many panels to cut and which way the seam should run.Quilt Size CalculatorTurn a block size and layout into finished quilt dimensions and the closest standard bed size.Fabric Yardage CalculatorCalculate how much fabric to buy for any number of same-size pieces, laid out to waste as little as possible.

Last reviewed August 23, 2026

Found an error? Tell us — every formula is human-reviewed.