Fabric Yardage Calculator
Stop guessing at the fabric store. Calculate exactly how many linear yards of fabric you need for upholstery, pillows, curtains, or sewing projects.
Are you making custom drapes? Get dimensions here
Project Dimensions (Per Item)
Leave 0 for solid fabrics without a repeating pattern.
Fabric Roll Details
Enter your project dimensions
to calculate yardage required
The Golden Rules of Fabric Sourcing
A mistake many beginners make is assuming all fabric is the same width. Quilting cotton is narrow (44"), while most upholstery velvet is wide (54"). Always verify the physical width of the roll before calculating yards.
If you pick a fabric with large floral medallions or stripes, you will need significantly more yardage than a solid color to ensure those medallions line up perfectly across the seams of your cushions.
Fabric is dyed in specific "dye lots." If you buy 5 yards today, run out, and go buy 1 more yard next month, the color may be visibly different because it came from a different batch. Always buy your 10% overage upfront!
Standard Furniture Yardage Estimates
Don't have exact measurements yet? Here are standard contractor estimates for common upholstery jobs. Note: These estimates assume standard 54" wide, solid color fabric. If you have a large pattern, add 20% to these numbers.
| Item | Estimated Yardage |
|---|---|
| Standard Dining Chair (Seat only) | 0.75 yds |
| Parsons Chair (Fully Upholstered) | 2.5 to 3 yds |
| Standard Armchair | 6 to 8 yds |
| Loveseat (2 Cusions) | 13 to 15 yds |
| 3-Seat Sofa | 16 to 20 yds |
| Large Sectional | 30+ yds |
Drapery Calculations
Window treatments are heavy fabric consumers due to "fullness." A flat panel looks cheap; rich drapes are pleated so the fabric waves. This requires 2x to 3x the actual width of the window opening. So if your window is 50 inches wide, you actually need 100+ inches of fabric width just to cover it!
Frequently Asked Questions
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