Quilt backing calculator.
Calculate backing for your quilt in inches or centimeters. Compare panel cuts and yardage for both seam directions, then save or print your free plan.
Your measurements
The worked example below explains a complete fabric estimate. Enable JavaScript to calculate with your own measurements.
Planning estimate. Check measurements before buying or cutting. Terms of use.
A useful estimate.
A considered cut.
Start with usable width
Fabric labels may include the selvages. Enter the width you can actually use, and measure your quilt in more than one place.
Leave room for your process
Estimates exclude shrinkage, print matching and cutting mistakes. Check the layout and your fabric direction before buying.
See how we calculate ↗Backing for a 60 × 80 inch quilt
With 4 inches extra on every side, the backing must cover 68 × 88 inches. Suppose your fabric has 42 usable inches across the roll and you sew with a ½ inch seam allowance.
- Two lengthwise panels give 42 + 42 − 1 = 83 inches of joined width. That covers the required 68 inches.
- Cut both panels 88 inches long. Total fabric length is 2 × 88 = 176 inches.
- 176 ÷ 36 = 4.888… yards. Round up to the next eighth: 4⅞ is too short; buy at least 5 yards.
In the other orientation, three panels 68 inches long use 204 inches of fabric, rounded up to 5¾ yards. The lower-yardage option saves ¾ yard in this example, but print direction or your quilter’s instructions may determine which layout to use.
Read the panel measurements first
The result gives full-width cuts, not a promise that every scrap will be used. After joining, trim excess to the required backing size. The seam diagram is schematic: use the written panel dimensions for cutting.
When one panel is enough
If the usable fabric width covers the backing width, one piece may be enough. A fabric sold as “wide backing” still needs its usable width measured. Turning the fabric can change which dimension must fit across the roll.
108-inch wide backing: yardage examples and print direction
What this estimate excludes
Print repeats, matching motifs, diagonal piecing, prewashing shrinkage and squaring-up losses are not calculated. If you need extra for any of these, plan that separately. Ask your quilting service how much overage and which seam direction they require.
Compare the purchase cost of two backing fabrics, including store increments, print direction and a check for fabric you already own.
For a quick comparison, use the quilt backing yardage chart. It shows six example quilt sizes, panel cuts and standard versus wide fabric. Enter your actual measurements here if your project differs.
Common backing questions
Do I need 108-inch backing fabric?
Choose by usable width and your backing target, rather than the fabric label alone. If the target is wider than the usable fabric in both orientations, even a wide backing needs joining. Our 108-inch backing yardage guide compares single-piece and joined layouts for three specified quilt sizes.
Can I use backing fabric I already have?
Measure one continuous piece after removing unusable edges, and check the print direction. The backing cost and available-fabric calculator checks that piece against a full-width panel layout. It does not combine scraps or search every possible piecing arrangement.