Quilt backing chart: yardage and panel cuts
Use this quilt backing chart to compare standard-width and wide backing for six example quilt sizes. Each row includes the yardage to buy and the full-width panels to cut.
Calculate backing for your exact quilt size →
Quilt backing yardage chart: baby to king examples
Assumptions: 4 inches extra on every edge, ½-inch seam allowances for joined panels, and purchases rounded up to ⅛ yard. The chart chooses the lower-yardage orientation, so the fabric design must allow rotation. It excludes shrinkage, squaring up and pattern matching.
Sizes below are project examples, not standard measurements for each bed size. The two fabric widths are usable widths after excluding selvages. A roll sold as 108 inches wide does not necessarily provide 106 usable inches: measure your fabric.
| Example quilt top | 42-inch usable fabric | 106-inch usable fabric |
|---|---|---|
| Baby 36 × 48 in | 2½ yd 2 panels × 44 in | 1¼ yd 1 piece × 44 in |
| Throw 60 × 80 in | 5 yd 2 panels × 88 in | 2 yd 1 piece × 68 in |
| Twin 70 × 90 in | 5½ yd 2 panels × 98 in | 2¼ yd 1 piece × 78 in |
| Full 80 × 90 in | 7⅜ yd 3 panels × 88 in | 2½ yd 1 piece × 88 in |
| Queen 90 × 96 in | 8¼ yd 3 panels × 98 in | 2¾ yd 1 piece × 98 in |
| King 108 × 108 in | 9¾ yd 3 panels × 116 in | 6½ yd 2 panels × 116 in |
How to read the cuts
“2 panels × 88 in” means cut two lengths of 88 inches, each the full usable fabric width. It does not mean cut two 88-inch-wide pieces. Join the panels along their long edges, then trim the backing to your required dimensions.
For the 60 × 80-inch throw, the backing target is 68 × 88 inches. Two 42-inch-wide panels joined with ½-inch seams cover 83 inches across: 42 + 42 − 1 = 83. Cut each panel 88 inches long. Their combined length is 176 inches, or 4.888… yards, rounded up to 5 yards.
With 106 usable inches, rotate that target so its 88-inch side runs across the fabric. Only 68 inches are needed along the roll: 68 ÷ 36 = 1.888… yards, rounded up to 2 yards. For a print that cannot rotate, compare the other orientation in the calculator.
How the quilt backing formula works
- Add twice the edge allowance to each quilt dimension. For example, 4 inches on every edge adds 8 inches to the width and 8 inches to the length.
- Try both orientations. Across the panels, usable coverage equals panel count × fabric width − (panel count − 1) × twice the seam allowance.
- Choose enough panels to cover the target. Multiply panel count by the cut length running along the roll, then divide by 36 for yards.
- Round upward to an increment the shop sells. This chart uses ⅛ yard; the backing purchase calculator accepts other increments.
Why does the baby example need two standard-width panels?
A 36 × 48-inch quilt with 4 inches extra per edge needs a 44 × 56-inch backing. Neither dimension fits across 42 usable inches, so one full-width piece is insufficient. If your quilt or quilting setup needs a different allowance, enter it in the calculator instead of applying this row unchanged.
Does wide backing always avoid a seam?
No. The 108 × 108-inch king example needs a 116 × 116-inch backing with the stated allowance. Neither side fits across 106 usable inches, so it still needs two panels. See the 108-inch backing guide for single-piece limits and directional-print examples.
Check these details before buying fabric
- Confirm your quilter’s required edge allowance, usable fabric width and seam direction.
- Add any allowance you need for washing, squaring up or matching a repeat. These amounts vary by project.
- Check the shop’s minimum cut and purchase increment. Fewer yards do not always cost less; compare both fabric prices.
- These are full-width panel layouts. They do not optimize offcuts or design a pieced backing.
For the strips around the outside edge, use the separate quilt binding calculator. Backing yardage does not include binding or borders.