Enter your project dimensions and fabric bolt width to find out how many linear yards you need to buy — plus area in square yards and estimated cost.
The Square Yard Fabric Calculator is used to quickly calculate key measurements and estimates so you can plan materials, costs, and project scope with confidence.
Measure the finished length and width of the pieces you need. For curtains, measure the window width (× 2 for fullness) and the drop. For upholstery, measure each surface to be covered. For tablecloths, measure the table top plus the desired overhang on each side.
Fabric comes on bolts of different widths. Quilting cottons are typically 36-44 inches wide. Home décor and upholstery fabrics are 54 inches wide. Apparel knits and fleece are often 60 inches wide. The bolt width determines how many linear yards you need.
If your fabric has a repeating pattern, you'll need extra to align the design across seams. Enter the pattern repeat length (usually printed on the bolt label). The calculator adds the necessary extra yardage.
Each panel is 45" wide × 84" long. On 54" fabric: each panel needs 84 ÷ 36 = 2.33 linear yards. For 2 panels: 4.67 yards. With 10% waste ≈ 5.1 yards. At $12/yard = $61.20.
Understanding how fabric is measured and sold.
Fabric is sold by the linear yard — a 1-yard (36-inch) length cut from the bolt, whatever the bolt width happens to be. A linear yard of 54-inch fabric gives you more material than a linear yard of 36-inch fabric, even though both cost "one yard" of fabric.
Square yards tell you the actual area of fabric. One linear yard of 54-inch-wide fabric = 54 × 36 = 1,944 square inches = 1.5 square yards. One linear yard of 36-inch fabric = only 1 square yard. So the bolt width directly affects how many linear yards you need.
When comparing fabric prices across different widths, convert to price per square yard. A $10/yard fabric on a 54" bolt costs $6.67/yd², while a $8/yard fabric on a 36" bolt costs $8.00/yd². The wider, more expensive bolt is actually cheaper per unit of area.
Linear yards needed for common project sizes on 54" wide fabric.
| Project | Dimensions | Square Yards | Linear Yards (54") |
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Common questions about fabric yardage and measurement.
Divide the area in square yards by the fabric width in yards. For 6 square yards of 54-inch (1.5 yd) fabric: 6 ÷ 1.5 = 4 linear yards off the bolt.
It depends on bolt width. A yard of 36" fabric = 1 yd². A yard of 54" fabric = 1.5 yd². A yard of 60" fabric = 1.67 yd².
36" for quilting cotton, 44-45" for standard prints, 54" for upholstery and home décor, 60" for apparel knits and fleece, 72" for felt and specialty fabrics.
Add one extra pattern repeat per cut piece. Rule of thumb: 10-15% for small prints, 15-25% for large repeats.
Window width × 2 to 2.5 for fullness. Add 6-8 inches to the drop for hems. A 60" window with 84" drop needs about 3-4 yards of 54" fabric per panel.
Dining chair: 1.5-2 yards. Armchair: 6-8 yards. Sofa: 12-16 yards of 54" fabric. Always add 15-20% for pattern alignment and tucking.